Man-Thing (2005)

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.

Director:

Brett Leonard

Writers:

Steve Gerber (character), Hans Rodionoff

Stars:

Jack Thompson, Matthew Le Nevez, Steve Bastoni

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Matthew Le Nevez	...	Kyle
Rachael Taylor	...	Teri
Jack Thompson	...	Schist
Rawiri Paratene	...	Pete Horn
Alex O'Loughlin	...	Fraser (as Alex O'Lachlan)
Steve Bastoni	...	Rene
Robert Mammone	...	Mike Ploog
Patrick Thompson	...	Jake (as Pat Thompson)
William Zappa	...	Gerber
John Batchelor	...	Wayne Thibadeaux
Ian Bliss	...	Rodney Thibadeaux
Brett Leonard	...	Val Mayerick
Imogen Bailey	...	Sarah
James Coyne	...	Billy
Cheryl Craig	...	Michele

Storyline

When a greedy oil baron sets his sights on drilling in a Louisiana swamp, a monstrous creature is awakened. The baron and his associates are killed in the swamp thicket, spurring an investigation led by Sheriff Kyle Williams. Although the Seminoles are initially suspected of the murders, the swamp creature, known as Man-Thing, is the killer. A gruesome creature made of plants and vines, Man-Thing possesses strange and dangerous powers.

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Plot Keywords:

swamp | monster | swamp monster | kiss | superhero | 

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Taglines:

Your fear is his deadliest weapon

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Genres:

Action | Adventure | Horror | Romance | Sci-Fi

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

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

Details

Official Sites:

Marvel

Country:

USA Germany Australia

Language:

English

Release Date:

21 April 2005 (Singapore)

Also Known As:

Man Thing

Filming Locations:

Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Box Office

Budget:

$30,000,000 (estimated)

Gross USA:

$143,615

Company Credits

Production Co:

Lions Gate Films, Artisan Entertainment, Marvel Enterprises

Technical Specs

Runtime:

105 min (DVD) 96 min (Ontario)

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital DTS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Filming lasted from late August 2003, until late October 2003. This was originally intended for a direct-to-video release, but later there was plans for a small release to theaters in Spain, Russia, and United Arab Emirates. However, those plans were scrapped, and the film sat unreleased, until it was later announced as a Sci Fi Channel Original Movie in spring 2005. The DVD and VHS became available in summer 2005.

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Quotes

Pete Horn: No man can stand against it alone. Something is out there... waiting.

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Connections

Referenced in Nostalgia Critic: Blade (2016)

User Reviews

Good effort

First thing's first - see the review "pretty decent" - in many ways, this hits the nail on the head exactly, pointing to the good atmosphere, surprisingly decent effects and effective gore. It's also much better written than this will be...

There are only two things I really disagree with in terms of that review - only 5 stars seems a mite stingy, in my opinion. This movie isn't going for the Oscars - hell, it ain't going for a cinema release either! - but it's a great little example of the low-budget monster movie, showing that even within tighter finances, you can make an effective popcorn monster feature. My own mark sets this in the context of the genre - in its field, this works well, and deserves a little more credit.

My only other quibble is the negative reviews of the acting. Again, nobody's gone all 'Method' for the purposes of this feature, but the main lead is competently brooding in a sort of pretty boy nice hairdo way. The love interest is less entertaining but still hits okay, phoning in a typical feisty/spiritual/nurturing but still tough performance. However, most fun is to be had from the furniture chewing local colour - never knowing when they might act again, the surrounding cast tear into their caricatured roles, and quite clearly have a good laugh in the process.

So, despite the extremely dodgy title ("Man-Thing" - really??), take it for what it is - a monster movie on a tight budget - and you may actually be surprised.