Directed by Wes Craven and based on the DC Comics series, 1982's Swamp Thing begins when a well-meaning scientist named Alec Holland (Ray Wise) decides to take his research into the middle of a swamp. His sister, and fellow scientist, Linda (Nanette Brown), is along for the ride. See, he's trying to come up with a solution to world hunger problems and that shack out in the middle of the bog seems like the ideal place to look into various theories and ideas he has brewing with the requisite amount of privacy as the government doesn't want this falling into the wrong hands. As such, a government agent named Alice Cable (Adrienne Barbeau) is sent to assist him and soon enough Alec has come up with a serum of sorts that when used properly results in the rapid growth of vegetation. Soon enough, Alec has got the hots for Alice but before Holland can do much with his findings, a gang of armed thugs (lead by David Hess!) shows up to steal his work. A struggle ensues and a whole bunch of the serum is spilt. Linda is shot and Holland is burned by the fire that ensues. He runs outside and dives off of the dock into the swamp completely ablaze in hopes that a quick swim will save his life.

And it does, though not in the way that he hopes. The serum splashed all over Holland and although most assume him dead, he soon emerges from the bog as a muck encrusted mockery of a man (Dick Durock), a hulking green behemoth seemingly made out of some combination of what's left of Alec and… the swamp. As it turns out, the aforementioned thugs were hired by the evil Dr. Anton Arcane (Louis Jourdan). He's not only stolen Holland's research but his woman as well, so before you know it the Swamp Thing has waged war on Arcane, taking out his thugs and saving Alice. Understandably terrified by this creature despite its good intentions, she initially passes out but soon starts to wonder why there's something familiar about him. Arcane, however, isn't going to let Alice go just like that…

Craven's take on Swamp Thing is a whole lot of good, goofy fun. The film never takes itself too seriously, flaunting its campy comic book roots with a self-awareness that lets us all know that this is a movie meant to put entertainment front and center, with realism not even much of an afterthought. The movie goes at a good pace and contains enough monster action and mayhem to amuse, though those expecting legitimate scares may walk away disappointed (though honestly, if you came to this movie with those expectations in the first place, you're just not paying attention). Craven was still maturing as a director at this point in his career but he keeps things moving nicely and while the effects are more than a little hokey, that's half the fun of a picture like this one.

As far as the performances go, Wise is fun as Holland but obviously he's not the focal point of the movie. Once he turns into the Swamp Thing and Durock takes over, it's no longer his show and he's no longer the star. Durock lumbers around pretty effectively, he's a big guy and he knows how to throw his weight around effectively, especially in the fight scenes. Barbeau is fun in her role too, playing her part with the right mix of ‘damsel in distress' and ‘tough lady' and looking great here as well. Louis Jourdan may not be the most threatening of villains and seems more interested in long rants and speeches than menace, but with that said, that's what we've got David Hess for. If he's a bit underused here, he stills offers up an enjoyably scuzzy turn as Arcane's main thug for hire.

So yeah, when the dust settles, Swamp Thing is a pretty campy affair. It might not play things with a completely serious face and it might not offer up a whole lot in the way of scares. It does, however, succeed in that it's still a lot of fun. Though there's the potential with the different comic book takes on the character and the concept to deliver a more serious, thought provoking picture (think the Alan Moore run), that's quite obviously not what Craven and company set out to do. Instead we get a movie made in the eighties that feels like it was meant for an audience stuck back in the fifties. But it works, it's one of those movies that should bring a smile to the face of anyone who can appreciate a good, goofy monster movie.

Note: when MGM first released this movie on DVD way back when, there were a few seconds of a topless Barbeau included originally included in the international cut of the movie. There was also some minor nudity in which some dancing girls performed for the bad guys. Subsequent releases have been of the US theatrical cut which had this footage removed, and that includes on this Blu-ray release from Shout! Factory.

Video:

Swamp Thing is presented in 1.85.1 widescreen in an AVC encoded 1080p high definition transfer that offers a nice upgrade over previous DVD releases, so long as you keep in mind that this has always been a pretty grainy, grubby looking movie to begin with. As such, it doesn't offer the same sort of pristine viewing experience that other films have received with a nice HD upgrade, but to those familiar with the movie, the improvements should be pretty noticeable. Detail is solid in close ups, less impressive in medium and long distance shots, but colors are reproduced nicely here and shadow detail is definitely better than it has been in the past. Blacks are generally good, if not always perfect while contrast is decent if a little warm. The grain might seem intrusive to some, as it is both heavy and prominent throughout the picture, but this is all in keeping with the ‘look' of the movie. There are no obvious issues with noise reduction or edge enhancement to note nor is there any obvious banding. Skin tones look natural, texture is pretty good and all in all, fans of the film should be pleased.