Don't Believe the Hype

Best movie ever!

n my opinion it was a great movie with some interesting elements, even though having some plot holes and the ending probably was just too messy and crammed together, but still fun to watch and not your casual movie that is similar to all other ones.

The story, direction, characters, and writing/dialogue is akin to taking a tranquilizer shot to the neck, but everything else was so well done.

Believe it or not, "Sea Beast" originally appeared as "Troglodyte" on Syfy in 2008. It goes without saying that it was a good call to change the name seeing as how there are no troglodytes in sight.As the cover of the DVD would suggest, "Sea Beast" is another take on the well-worn "Jaws" theme. This one takes place in the Vancouver, BC, area (big surprise). The creature has the ability to appear nigh invisible and render its prey immobile. This may sound cartoonish, but the way it's explained by the requisite scientist makes it semi-believable.Other than "Jaws," the plot borrows from other creature flicks like "Predator," "Gremlins" and "Godzilla ('98)." It's reminiscent of the latter film in that there's a mommy monster and a bunch of little tykes, just as ferocious.What makes "Sea Beast" work is that the material is taken seriously and it has a quality cast, not to mention solid locations. The cast is highlighted by a strong male protagonist, Corin Nemec as Will Mckenna, Will's ditzy daughter, Carla, who can be ultra-violent when necessary (Miriam McDonald) and Will's female sidekick scientist, Arden (Camille Sullivan). Miriam possesses such a cuteness she's somehow just enjoyable to look at. Also, the creature effects (CGI) are well done. Not to mention it's very gory, if you're into that.There's not much else to say. If you like well-done creatures-on-the-loose TV flicks, "Sea Beast" provides well enough to satisfy. It's far from great but it delivers just enough to grant it a marginal thumbs up.GRADE: B-

People love to hate on SyFy stuff, yet Sharknado was a HUGE phenomenon. I caught Sea Beast on Showtime Next, so it was at least not edited for television & commercial breaks. The story is simple enough: amphibious sea monsters find their way to a human smörgåsbord, and it is up to a fisherman and his science-y sidekick to prove the creatures are there and then to find a way to stop them. Solid creature feature with decent "budget" CGI & practical effects. A bit of silly gore helps move it along, and I will admit I fast forwarded through the slower bits. Sea Beast is at least better than 99% of The Asylum fare that passes for a movie. (Don't get me wrong - I dig The Asylum's hokum, and, from a business standpoint, you cannot beat their ROI.) Script, characters, acting, all shallow and one-dimensional, but inoffensively so if you know what you're getting into, and moreover, you like this kind of modern B-movie effort. I enjoyed it, and I give Sea Beast a grade of Deep C. Hardeeharhar.

A gaggle of lethal and mysterious predatory sea beasts from the darkest depths of the ocean floor come onto dry land to attack and feast on the residents of a previously sleepy bay village community. Director Paul Ziller, who also co-wrote the derivative, but engrossing script with Neil Elman, relates the entertaining story at a snappy pace, takes time to develop the plausible working class characters, generates a good deal of tension, and delivers a generous amount of surprisingly graphic gore (one woman gets her head bitten off and the creatures leave behind the torn up bodies of their victims). The solid low-key acting by the capable cast keeps the movie buzzing: Corin Nemec makes for a credible rugged blue collar hero as struggling fisherman Will McKenna, the cute Miriam MacDonald contributes a winningly feisty portrayal as Will's spunky daughter Carly, Daniel Wister registers nicely as likable hunk Danny, and Camille Sullivan does well as earnest and helpful marine biologist Arden, plus there are sturdy turns from Gwynyth Walsh as concerned harbor master Barbara, Brent Strait as grizzled old drunk Ben, Gary Hudson as the amiable Sheriff Jay McKenna, Brandon Jay McLaren as the easygoing Drew, and Roman Podhora as obnoxious antagonistic jerk Roy. The CGI effects are okay and the monsters look pretty cool. The sharp cinematography by Mahlon Todd Williams boasts plenty of gnarly creature POV shots. Chuck Cirino's energetic ominous score does the spirited shuddery trick. A really fun little flick.

The fishing vessel Solita crosses a storm during the night and the Skipper Will McKenna (Corin Nemec) witnesses a weird creature attacking the crewman Joey. They return to the dock and Will has difficulties to pay the amount he owes to the former owner of the boat, Roy (Roman Podhara). The fish population is reducing in the area and the biologist Arden (Camille Sullivan) is investigating the possible causes. Meanwhile, Will's daughter Carly (Miriam McDonald) steals the keys of her father's cottage in a nearby island and plans to travel with her boyfriend Danny (Daniel James Wisler) and their friends Erin (Christie Laing) and Drew (Brandon Jay McLaren) to spend the weekend in the island. However, Drew is murdered by a deep sea predator on the dock and his pieces are found by Will and Arden. Carly, Danny and Erin do not have any news from their friend and travel to the island without Drew. Sooner Erin is murdered by the creature and Danny is bitten by a newborn reptile. Danny and Erin seek shelter in the cabin but they are trapped there by the creatures. In the continent, Will and Arden learn that the deep sea predator is a very dangerous species, after a series of lethal attacks, and they head to the island to rescue Carly. "Troglodyte" is an unoriginal but pretty decent B-movie for television. The plot blends "Lake Placid" and Predator" and the result is a cheesy and forgettable action film with the usual clichés. The town seems to be empty and the conclusion has the usual nonsense, with Will, Carly and Arden happy and forgetting that Danny, Jay and many of their friends are dead. My vote is five.Title (Brazil): "Feras do Mar" ("Sea Beasts")