Troglodyte (2008) (TV)

User Rating:

4.4/10   

Director:

Paul Ziller

Writers:

Wendy Czajkowsky (dialogue editor)
Neil Elman (story)

Release Date:

2008 (USA)

Genre:

Sci-Fi

Plot Keywords:

Storm At Sea | Electrocution | Camouflage | Invisibility | Toxin

Cast

Corin Nemec	...	Will McKenna
Miriam McDonald	...	Carly McKenna
Daniel Wisler	...	Danny (as Daniel James Wisler)
Camille Sullivan	...	Arden
Gwynyth Walsh	...	Barbara
Brent Stait	...	Ben
Gary Hudson	...	Sheriff Jay McKenna
Christie Laing	...	Erin
Brandon Jay McLaren	...	Drew
Doug Chapman	...	Joey
Roman Podhora	...	Roy (as Roman Podhara)
Brock Johnson	...	Hunter #1
Brad Kelly	...	Hunter #2
Lea Coffman	...	Witness

Also Known As:

Sea Beast (USA) (new title)
The Sea Beast (USA) (new title)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Filming Locations:

BC Place, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Company:

NBC Universal Television

Another Strange Venture From the Maneater Series

Being a fisherman is a difficult job, particularly during a rough storm. But things can only get worse when a sea beast decides to make your crew its meal. In this small fishing town, the sea beast and his family follow the seamen ashore... to destroy every living thing in their path. How do you stop a creature that you cannot see?

This happens to be another film in the "Maneater" series of films, which started off with vicious animals (blood monkeys, crocs, and more) and has ventured into some strange territory. They recently came out with "Yeti", for example (you can read the review for this on Killer Reviews). And now, the sea beast, formerly titled "Troglodyte" (which is grossly misleading). It's "Jaws" meets science fiction meets "Raptor Island", which is either awesome or horrible depending on how you feel about those three things.

Personally, I love "Jaws" and science fiction has its good points, but "Raptor Island" is a CG piece of offal. Now, to be fair, "Sea Beast" isn't as poorly animated as "Raptor Island", but they fit in the same category. But we've come to expect that from the Maneater series. Cheesy plot, minimal gore (though this one does alright), little or no nudity or cursing. Your basic TV-ready film. And don't get me wrong, if you want an hour and a half of beer-swilling entertainment, this film will fir your needs. But if you try to dissect it, you'll claw your eyes out. It simply doesn't make much sense.

If you want to watch this film, my best recommendation is that you try to catch it on TV or borrow it from a friend or rent it. There is no reason to purchase this film. It doesn't have a lot of replay value, and there are literally no special features (unless you count scene selection). No subtitles, no languages, no audio commentary, nothing. It's about as bare bones as DVDs come, which is rare these days.

Bottom line: cheap, cheesy entertainment. If that's what you're into (and I guess some people are because they keep making these movies), go for it. If you want more substance or a good scare, this is not the film for you. Seriously, watch "Jaws" for the tenth time before you see this if you want a quality man versus fish story.