Tubi Thursday: Swamp Thing (1982)

 With the Rifftrax Live Show tonight (already happened, but go with it), I thought it might be good to look back at the original Film.

What was Swamp Thing like before he returned?  Let's see...

A Doctor- Alec Holland- is working on a Plant Growth Formula out in the Swamp.  He meets the new Tech Person- Adrianne Barbeau- and they hit it off.

Of course, there's not much time for romance when...

Dr. Arcane- who shows up disguised for no reason at all- blows up the place, burns Alec and seems to get his win.

Of course, the titular Swamp Thing shows up to save Barbeau from the bad guys.

The Lead Henchman, by the way, is David Hess.  He's the guy from The Last House on the Left and it's sort of knock off House on the Edge of the Park.  Also this Film about the Munich Olympic Killings, which came out just 4 years after the real thing.

Our Hero is slowly-remembering who he is, while the bad guys keep coming.

Barbeau keeps getting put in peril and escaping so much that she must have PTSD!

Thankfully, the pair- despite Holland being wounded- find time for love.

Also Tubi is *currently* showing the International Version, so it is the one with Nudity it it.  In case you were wondering.

It all comes to a head as our Hero escapes the House with Barbeau.

Arcane saw how the formula turned Alec in Swamp Thing, but also turned his henchman into a little person...so he drinks it.

Now he's...um, a Werewolf that comes out of a fleshy cocoon and uses a sword...I guess.

Can he overcome the tragedy and save the day?

Will the Film explain the fate of the other people in Arcane's house?

To find out, stream the Film.

It's still a fun, if uneven Film all around.  It goes for a strange vibe- a sort of love letter to 1950s Sci-Fi.  Weird that it's based on something NOT MADE in the 1950s, but whatever.  Craven and company bring a unique feel to this one, for better or for worse.

The Pacing can be a bit odd and it feels like maybe they weren't quite sure what to do with the middle of the Film.  Everyone kind of wanders around the same Swamp parts, some action happens and everything resets to norm until the turn with Swamp Thing being captured.

The Finale is where things get bonkers, as people mutate, explosions happen and a Wolfman finds a Swamp Thing in the muck with a sword.  It's where you really feel like you're watching a Wes Craven Film.  It's just kind of a shame that the Sequel sets up so much mayhem...and delivers so little in reality.

As far as this Film goes, it's right on the edge of being good, but also cheesy and bizarre.  It's definitely not for everyone.  As a (hopefully famous) Alec, I always like Films about Alecs though.  Yes, I'm biased.  I also like Films with weird pig-wolf-guys, which is why I kind of enjoy Masters of The Universe and, well, this...

A curious hiccup in Wes Craven's career- he made Nightmare in 1984- that still delivers.  It's kind of cheesy, kind of weird...but I like it still.

DCE-Hulu: Swamp Thing- Series Finale

At last, the final Episode is here.  This is going to hurt...

Still reeling from recent revelations, Swamp Thing/Alec struggles to figure out what he should do next.

Should he stay or should he go now?

Dr. Woodrue takes some pretty drastic steps to heal his wife.  Will it backfire on him (and everyone)?

People come back to get revenge on Swamp Thing for the killing they *think* he did last Episode.

When you call in Jake Busey, you've called in the big guns!

Is Swamp Thing too far gone?  Will he regain his humanity or become the monster people think he is?

Also like four more Sub-Plots have to get wrapped up.  This works better at 13 Episodes, no?  The End.

A good ending, even if it is very bittersweet.  First off, let's give credit to the Creators for making this feel like a real ending.  They got 3 Episodes chopped and still managed to make this work.  Other Shows have had to deal with this kind of problem and did worse with it.  For one, Golden Years just kind of stops cold- they only lost one Episode.  All of the stuff that worked well in the Show- the Acting, the Production Values, the Setting and the Ambiance- is all here.  They also manage to balance out all of the dangling Sub-Plots too.  I obviously won't SPOIL how they do it, but so much is ended in a proper fashion.  I was happy to see one last bit of action with Swamp Thing.  Weird trend- I get to see a third jaw destroyed in 3 Films/Shows (Brightburn, Hellboy and this).  Why do people hate jaws so much?!?  It's a shame to see the Show end, no matter how good it was.  Here's hoping that we get more of this somehow.  For instance, they set-up The Floronic Man and now we won't get to see him sell Pot made out of himself in Gotham...

A good Show that earned a second Season based on quality.  Why it also got less Episodes than Titans AND Doom Patrol is also anyone's guess.

Make the Movie already!

DCE-Hulu: Swamp Thing- 'The Anatomy Lesson'

As we all near the end, let's just enjoy what we can here.  The penultimate Episode is here...

After last Episode, Swamp Thing is not in a great place.  That's in the literal sense, although he will be there emotionally by the end.

Ian Ziering is awoken from his Coma by the mysterious 'man' who cursed him.  He sees a possible future that needs his help.  Will he rise to the challenge?

Incidentally, Ian has a new Film coming out with Zombies in a Tidal Wave.  So much for whatever rub this might have given you!

Dr. Woodrue has plans to take Swamp Thing apart to cure all sorts of diseases.  What else will he find?

What is Mr. Sunderland's big plan?  Will it work?

To find out, watch the Show.

A damn good Episode to nearly close out the Series.  Obviously, I wish that it wasn't the semi-final Episode.  Hearing the talk about how the Producers had a 3-Season Plan is so sad.  Add in the fact that an underperforming (for me) show like Titans is getting a Season 2 and this one hurts.  Try to focus on the positive, self!  This Episode features some big moments (which I won't SPOIL), some good character moments and the start of something that would probably mean more if there wasn't only one Episode left.  Who knows- maybe they can use these Characters on any of the other Shows.  What is really nice about this Show is that the Villains aren't one-note or cartoonish.  Dr. Woodrue has a very natural reason for doing what he is doing.  Sunderland seems to feel legitimate hurt at any betrayals.  They are as human as the good guys- what a concept!  The whole Episode ends on a nice and epic moment that I can't wait to see how they pay it off.  Things are going to be good (and sad) next time!  Just for fun, here's the Comic Teaser for comparison...

Next time, the final Episode of the Series.  Will it go out with a bang or a whimper?  See you then...

DCE-Hulu: Swamp Thing- 'Brilliant Disguise'

Another week as the end approaches for this experiment in Streaming Content.  Let's keep digging...

A bit of Plot Convenience (and a power up) allows Swamp Thing to appear as Alec to Abby for a day.

While nice, I wonder if this was part of the 'must cut Budget!' moments.

The Sunderlands plan a big deal with a big money backer for their new formula (made from Swamp Thing's DNA).

...although Avery is busy in the Swamp looking for our Hero, who he just learned is alive somehow.

At this point, the one-armed Fry Cook is going to find out who Swamp Thing is!

Abby seeks to find some evidence to help stop The Rot.  Will that be too dangerous?

To find out, stream the Episode.  You might as well- you know you'll get an Ending!

This one is a bit more setup than payoff, but still good.  This Episode is definitely all about setting up big things for the close of the Season.  There's no big monster- at least in the most literal sense.  A bunch of important information is revealed in this one, which I obviously won't SPOIL.  You learn about the big setup that is going to be the Season/Series ending conflict.  You learn a few secrets about a few people.  There is not a whole lot of action in this one, but what you get is definitely interesting.  Like I said, this one is about build-up and the next few Episodes are (hopefully) the payoff.  It remains to be seen what the decision to chop off about 1/4 of the Episodes from the original order will have.  Here's hoping it still works as a strong narrative.  After all, who likes to see the big guy get sad?

Next time, events try to separate our characters.  Will that be a good thing or a very bad thing?  See you then...

DCE-Hulu; Swamp Thing- 'The Price You Pay'

We're now in the second half of the Series.  Will the quality be maintained for the end run?  Let's see...

A night in the Swamp proves to be dangerous for our Hero as Sunderland's men come looking.  They won't like what they find.

In the aftermath of last Episode, someone is in a coma.  They won't be there long!

We get a neat little flashback for 'Blue Devil' in which he 'makes a bargain' that is key to his being trapped in Town.

After last Episode's outburst, a big truth is revealed about Alec's 'death,' among other subjects.

If he can survive all of the attention, can Swamp Thing make peace with himself for Abby's sake?

To find out, stream it.  You're all enjoying Young Justice again, no?

What can I say- it's another good one!  Swamp Thing continues to do a nice, slow and steady burn on its Plot.  We know that Sunderland is up to something bad.  We know that his Scientist buddy is up to some bad things too.  Hell, the people in charge of the Law are not blameless in this Town!  They continue to build everything up nicely.  As a bonus, they don't get too predictable.  For instance, this one doesn't *really* have a creature for our Hero to battle.  Way to not be formulaic, guys!  It's all good and I can't wait to see what comes next.  How can you not root for a couple like this?!?

Next time, more intrigue and Plot.  I try to stay blind here, so no SPOILERS from me yet.  See you then...

DCE-Hulu: Swamp Thing- 'Drive All Night'

A bit of a technical snafu delayed this one, so let me make up for lost time...

The girl at the center of the outbreak is now staying with Sunderland (for his own bad reasons).  Unfortunately for her, an angry spirit is still hanging around the House Ju-On-style.

Moping about the Swamp, our Lead discovers that he can see memories by touching certain trees.  Those include his own (below) and one involving Abby that he has to decipher.

The would-be Blue Demon discovers that trying to leave Marais is still a no-go.

The evil Doctor working Sunderland discovers samples in Alec's Lab and now knows that something strange exists in his logic-run World.

What is the secret of the flashback that Alec saw?  Will it help or harm the ones he cares about?

To find out, stream the Show while you can.  By all accounts, DC Universe may be something completely different in 2020!

More good Episodes- even if I now know that I'm halfway done with them.  Mind you, I've watched the first 9 Episodes of The Tick Season 2, but won't watch the last one for a while.  In this case, I'm just committed to enjoying it until it ends.  This time, we get mysteries going back to the 1st Episode finally getting answered.  Why did Mrs. Sunderland freak out so much about Abby?  Well, now we know- mostly.  Naturally, one mystery being answered leads to another one!  Beyond that, we get continuations of other Stories.  We also get a mystery man that may be important for later.  Will he or is this more of a could-have-been tease?  I'll wait and see.  Everything that worked so far continues to work.  I continue to be curious about the mysteries that they are teasing.  The Show continues to be good and I'll try to enjoy what little I'm going to get.  Thanks, HBO Max.  I may sound like a broken record, but...holy crap, look how much work they put into this Suit!

Next time, things get more intense for our hero and more secrets will be revealed.  It's vague, but so am I.  See you then...

DCE-Hulu: Swamp Thing- 'Darkness on the Edge of Town'

Another week of freaky stuff in the Swamp.  Just your average Thursday in some places...

While out Gator Hunting, a corpse seems to attack a man after falling from a tree.

The next day, he freaks out when he 'sees' a snake on his arm.  He mutilates himself trying to kill 'it.'

Meanwhile, Abby studies a sample of Swamp Thing's DNA.  Woodrue sees it too (without context), which is probably not going to end well.

Elsewhere, Xanadu warns of a looming darkness.  Yes, they have her say 'A Storm is Coming.'

As more people get infected and see dark nightmares come to life, can the pair solve the problem before anyone else gets hurt?

To find out, stream the Show.  Given it's Box Office take, they'll probably toss Shazam on there any day now.

An interesting and dark Episode.  The main Plot involving a pathogen that makes you freak out was interesting.  The key here is to find a balance between magic and science.  For this to work, it has to be somewhere in the middle.  Too much magic and Abby can't help.  Too much science and it gets boring.  It is a tricky thing, no?  Right now, everything works.  In place of a true monster, we get people's freaky visions- a fair replacement.  Swamp Thing is used sparingly here, which is also good for balance.  If he's just always hanging out, you get used to him and that's no fun.  Balance is again the key, as some of the 1990's Show Episodes would have him just kind of appear at the beginning, say 2 lines and then vanish until the wrap-up.  So yeah, don't do that either.  They continue to build the Plots moving forward in a slow, steady way.  I hope you made these 10 Episodes count!  The Show continues to be good, which- as noted last week- makes me happy and sad.  I'm right there with you, big guy!

Next time, the mystery deepens.  Is the guy from Sharknado going to be evil?!?  See you then...

DCE-Hulu: Swamp Thing- 'He Speaks'

Another week of watching the end come to this Show.  Can I continue to enjoy its last weeks?

In the aftermath of the bloody conclusion, Swamp Thing/Alec has, well, mixed feelings about what he did.

Woodrue is put on the case by Avery (to cover things up) and must work with Abby.

The last time we got a live-action Jason Woodrue was Batman & Robin.  The last Animated Appearance was Batman & Harley Quinn.  THIS is an upgrade!

Liv looks into the situation from another angle, pressing a man who was apparently doing money laundering for Avery.

A strange creature is brought to life while all of this is going on.  Will this be too much to handle?

To find out, stream the Show.  You can also enjoy watching Titans and its....and I can't complete that sentence without laughing.

Another good Episode, which makes the pain of the Show's cancellation all the worse.  As a fan of the Character, I was obviously hoping for a really good Show.  Once I found out that it was cancelled, I was kind of hoping for it to do something wrong.  That may sound bad, but hear me out.  If it gets bad, I could rationalize the decision to cancel it easier and not be bothered.  Sadly (I guess), it's still quite good.  The Acting and Production Values continue to be solid.  As noted before, the Suit (surely enhanced by CGI in some way) looks amazing.  I've never really *disliked* a Swamp Thing look, although maybe the under-detailed one from the first Movie comes closest.  The Plot moves along nicely and Characters get little wrinkles to them.  Woodrue has some backstory to make him relatable, while 'Blue Devil' has some to make him possibly-evil.  Avery and his wife also have some interesting stuff to explore, which should be good.  We also get a neat creature- which I won't SPOIL- that fits in nicely with the Show.  Why do you have to be so good?  I'm just going to miss you more!  I'll take solace in enjoying the insane amount of detail put into this look, I guess...

Next time, more intrigue, creatures and, most likely, murder.  Here's hoping they paced this one correctly!  See you then...