Man-Thing (2005)

User Rating:

4.1/10   

Director:

Brett Leonard

Writers (WGA):

Steve Gerber (character)
Hans Rodionoff (written by)

Release Date:

21 April 2005 (Singapore)

Genre:

Action | Horror | Sci-Fi

Tagline:

When nature fights back!

Plot:

Agents of an oil tycoon vanish while exploring a swamp marked for drilling. The local sheriff investigates and faces a Seminole legend come to life: Man-Thing, a shambling swamp-monster whose touch burns those who feel fear. |

Plot Keywords:

Swamp | Swamp Monster | Shotgun | Marvel Comics | Male Rear Nudity

Cast

Matthew Le Nevez	...	Sheriff Kyle Williams
Rachael Taylor	...	Teri Elizabeth Richards
Jack Thompson	...	Frederic Schist
Rawiri Paratene	...	Pete Horn
Alex O'Loughlin	...	Deputy Eric Fraser
Steve Bastoni	...	Rene LaRoque
Robert Mammone	...	Mike Ploog
Patrick Thompson	...	Jake Schist (as Pat Thompson)
William Zappa	...	Steve Gerber
John Batchelor	...	Wayne Thibadeaux
Ian Bliss	...	Rodney Thibadeaux
Brett Leonard	...	Val Mayerick
Imogen Bailey	...	Sarah
James Coyne	...	Billy James
Cheryl Craig	...	Michele

Also Known As:

Man Thing (UK) (DVD box title)

MPAA:

Rated R for violence, grisly images, language and some sexuality.

Runtime:

USA:97 min | Singapore:96 min | USA:105 min (DVD version) | UK:93 min | Canada:96 min (Ontario)

Country:

USA | Australia

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Certification:

Canada:13+ (Quebec) | Canada:14A (Ontario) | UK:15 | Finland:K-15 | Malaysia:18SG | Brazil:16 | Portugal:M/16 | Australia:MA | Singapore:M18 | Singapore:PG (cut) | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Company:

Lions Gate Films

Trivia:

The character of Val Mayerik (Brett Leonard) is also a reference to the creator by the same name. He worked with Steve Gerber on the first ongoing Man-Thing comic book series, too.

Quotes:

Rene LaRoque: Something is out there... waiting.

Better than I expected

As a part time comic geek and a full time movie geek I was surprised that anyone would green-light a film based on the old Marvel comic "Man Thing." Obviously I had no expectations for this straight to DVD release when I saw it last week but all in all I was pleasantly surprised. Now don't get me wrong, "Man Thing" is by no definition the best comic book film ever made but it is at least true to it's origins unlike "Batman Forever" and "Batman & Robin." The basic story is pretty much a product of the "plot wheel" and you won't see any big name actors but if you treat it for what it is, a solid B-movie, there are worse ways to spend an hour and a half. The title creature looks as if the special effects and costume designers did their best to capture this little known character's appearance and movement. Not to say that this film doesn't have it's problems, bad annoying camera gimmicks and cartoonish supporting actors among them, however I don't believe that a reviewers job is to turn into a whinny nitpicker. If you really love the medium there aren't that many films that you can't find at least one good element in. "Man Thing" never stood a chance to be much more than a guilty pleasure but honestly you can't expect a first rate film adaptation of a third rate comic book. This is a film for B movie night and that's not necessarily a bad thing. Cut. Print.