Deep Star Six (DVD)

Deep Star Six (1989) is set on a deep-sea research station, working to install a new nuclear missile facility. Lone warnings from the resident marine biologist (Nia Peeples) about unearthing previously undiscovered prehistoric life are soon answered in the form of a very big and very nasty monster. When the creature attacks, panic quickly follows. The crew struggle for survival whilst trying to secure the nuclear missiles and find a way to the surface.
...wave of underwater adventure movies, making it easily comparable to The Abyss and Leviathon; both of the same year. I found this one sits nicely in the middle as a sort of evil twin to The Abyss that proves more entertaining than Leviathon, while owing its roots to films like Alien and The Thing. Director Sean S Cunningham (Friday 13th), who found fame producing the infamous Last House on the Left, delivers a fair share of gruesome moments, but the ... more

Deep Star Six (1989) is set on a deep-sea research station, working to install a new nuclear missile facility. Lone warnings from the resident marine biologist (Nia Peeples) about unearthing previously undiscovered prehistoric life are soon answered in the form of a very big and very nasty monster. When the creature attacks, panic quickly follows. The crew struggle for survival whilst trying to secure the nuclear missiles and find a way to the surface.

Deep Star Six came along in a wave of underwater adventure movies, making it easily comparable to The Abyss and Leviathon; both of the same year. I found this one sits nicely in the middle as a sort of evil twin to The Abyss that proves more entertaining than Leviathon, while owing its roots to films like Alien and The Thing. Director Sean S Cunningham (Friday 13th), who found fame producing the infamous Last House on the Left, delivers a fair share of gruesome moments, but the film only receives a 15 certificate. The story, while mostly obvious, rolls along at a good pace, and once the action got underway it kept me interested and involved till the end.

Miguel Ferrer (Robocop, Traffic) gives the most notable performance as Snyder, a man pushed over the edge through a series of mistakes and misfortunes; some quite surprising. The rest of the cast give mediocre to reasonable performances including Greg Evigan (of B J and the Bear fame) and Matt McCoy (Police Academy 5 & 6).

All in all this is a competent, fun, no brainer that maintains reasonable tension and thrills. Recommended Sunday afternoon viewing for fans of the sci-fi/horror genre.
 

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