It Came from Beneath the Sea

1955 science fiction monster movie

Rating: 11/20

Plot: When Commander Pete Mathews' submarine is attacked by the unknown in the depths of the Pacific, a pair of marine biologists who just happen to sleep together are hired to investigate. They use B-movie science to figure out that the attacker was a gigantic radioactive octopus. Well, of course it is! The Navy and scientists have to act fast as the monster destroys other ships and plunges toward San Fransisco. But there's also time for a really awkward love triangle.

First off, the Harryhausen animation is, as expected, excellent stuff. Watching the creature destroy the Golden Gate bridge, tear down a building, and squash San Fransicoans is a lot of fun. Unfortunately, there's a lot to trudge through to get to the good stuff. There's not even a tentacle until the 27 minute mark and after that, there's not another octopus sighting for another 30 minutes before the assault on the bay area begins. Now I'm not the kind of guy who is easily aroused by the sight of tentacles and must have constant tentacle action in order to enjoy a movie, but the rest of the movie should at least give me a little something. The stock characters are the exact opposite of interesting, the writing's trite, and that aforementioned love triangle is just a bizarre distraction. And there's so much talking. All-too-typical and a little on the dull side. My advice would be to keep a finger on the fast forward button until you catch a glimpse of one of those sexy, sexy tentacles.

Note: I do like that the title is a complete sentence. I think I'm going to seek out movies with complete sentences as titles. I welcome suggestions.

Note: Ok, I probably am the type of guy who is easily aroused by the sight of tentacles.