'80s Fun?: DeepStar Six (1989)

 Damn- did I miss DeepStars 1-5?!?  No, this is DeepStar Six, a 1989 Sci-Fi/Horror Film about a monster in the Ocean.  That was apparently a popular thing to do.  In a year's time, we got The Abyss, as well as lots of lesser Theatrical/Direct-to-Video Films.  Roger Corman is, shockingly, only responsible for one of them (Lords of the Deep).  He would make a second one...in 1995.  This was an international outing, as well, given that we got Films from Spanish Directors like Juan Piquer Simon, as well George P. Cosmatos (obviously not Spanish), Wayne Crawford (also the Star of Jake Speed!) and this one by the Director of Friday the 13th.  So what specifically happens here?  A Crew of random people out on the Ocean blows up one too many areas and ends up under siege by a creature.  Who will escape?  Our Crew features one of My Two Dads, Ferris Bueller's Mom, a guy from The Gods Must Be Crazy and Miguel Ferrer.  To see how it all plays out, read on...

A ragtag Crew works under the Ocean, but, let's be honest- this is Alien, right?

You can just picture a creature bursting out of Ferrer's chest on that table, no?

Speaking of Ferrer, he gets the 'lion's share' of the problems, as people pick on him, he's stressed out and, well, he hasn't even seen what is in store for him later!

The important ones- of course- are Greg Evigan and the Scientist Lady Love Interest.

We later learn that she's pregnant, so they're both going to survive this one. 

When they blow out a cave, an off-screen creature (since this Film has an $8 million Budget) attacks and kills the least important Character.

Our Heroine is also in trouble, but, well, you read the earlier description.

The creature eventually reveals itself, although it can only do so in waist-high pools of water.

It looks cool though, so...I'll live with it.

The Cast get whittled down some more in some key Action Set Pieces.

They even break out some new weapons to take out the creature.

It goes poorly.

Our Heroes make their way to the surface with a less-convincing fake skyline than in The Truman Show (which is supposed to look fake).

The 'One Last Hurrah' Cliche is here too.  Will they defeat it?

Yes. 
The End.

A fun, if shallow experience.  DeepStar Six is not exactly a deep, complex Film.  It is a pretty basic, unimpressive set-up for a Creature Feature.  The Writing is not all that special.  The real draw here is the Creature and Setting.  They didn't spend much time and money on anything but this stuff, so enjoy.  The beast is not exactly explained, nor does it communicate in anything other than generic roars.  Is it too much to expect a giant sea crustacean to deliver a monologue?  The Sets don't look cheap.  Admittedly, they are just big, industrial Rooms, so it's not like a real art form to make it look nice.  They do also try to work in some different things too, even if they don't work.  In a weird bit, Ferrer freaks out at the sight of seeing his dead Coworkers blame him for getting them killed.  Weird and sudden- thanks!  Other than that, it is pretty much a by-the-numbers affair.  DeepStar Six is not going to be your favorite Creature Feature, but, eh, you can do worse.  Will I do worse by watching another one of these Films next?

Next time, I cover that Film I just showed the Poster for.  Will it be classier and/or better?  Stay tuned...