Well that vacation went downhill fast. A truly demented movie that is way more entertaining than it has any right to be. Ezra Godden really hams it up in (dare I say) Jeffrey Combs-ian or even Bruce Cambell-esque fashion. Yes, the acting is ludicrous but so is the story; I think it adds to its charm. My only real complaint is the atrocious, although mercifully sparse, cgi--always outshone by the passably decent practical effects--which is especially jarring considering the film's old school aesthetic. Dagon offers a pretty good, albeit campy, synthesis of Lovecraftian themes. Although for me it failed to evoke a sense of terror, it made up for it in entertainment value.
This is amongst the best adaptations of Lovecraft. Others that were also good were of course, the Re-Animator series of films and From Beyond. This has a quality to it that is different from these, making it a more entertaining film to the masses.
The third and last of Stuart Gordon's Lovecraft adaptations (accepted that Castle Freak is only inspired by ol' H.P.), Dagon comes a dozen years too late. Had this adaptation of The Shadow Over Innsmouth been made earlier, it might have starred Jeffrey Combs instead of look-alike (but talent-unalike) Ezra Godden, and could have brought to bear some of the crazy creature effects Gordon was then known for. The practical effects are relatively tame compared to earlier, better works, and when it switches to CG, ugh, let's not even mention it. But as is, I think Dagon has a strong start and finish. The small nautical disaster is very well staged, and the ending has a touch of bizarre despair I expect from a Lovecraftian tale. The middle, however, is just a lot of shambling zombo-Deep Ones, and exposition delivered by Francisco Rabal in one of his last screen roles, not at all well-served (or well-serving) because his accent is impenetrable (closed captioning to the rescue, but still). Truthfully, and I know these things never REALLY scare me, the only fright I had was when the girlfriend through Godden's laptop into the ocean because he didn't know how to switch off and enjoy his vacation. I saw my life flash before my eyes. The evil mermaid stuff just isn't remotely on the same level.
The acting is horrible, script even worse, and just the crazy gratuitous mess that it turns into is really disappointing. Loved the premise and the feel of the whole thing, but not well put together at all.
Somewhat interesting film with an unusual and entertaining concept behind it, but it does drag on too long and at the end you are just left not knowing what happens.
Pure and utter trash. Acting below c-grade, dialog even worse. It was just disgustingly bad. The only thing stopping it from getting 1/10 was that they knew how to work a camera and that a few things towards the end semi-surprised me. Mostly because they were idiotic, but I'm a generous fuck.
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Comments 1 - 10 of 10
the3rdman
Well that vacation went downhill fast. A truly demented movie that is way more entertaining than it has any right to be. Ezra Godden really hams it up in (dare I say) Jeffrey Combs-ian or even Bruce Cambell-esque fashion. Yes, the acting is ludicrous but so is the story; I think it adds to its charm. My only real complaint is the atrocious, although mercifully sparse, cgi--always outshone by the passably decent practical effects--which is especially jarring considering the film's old school aesthetic.Dagon offers a pretty good, albeit campy, synthesis of Lovecraftian themes. Although for me it failed to evoke a sense of terror, it made up for it in entertainment value.
mathiasa
roomo pleaso!?pshapiro
This is amongst the best adaptations of Lovecraft. Others that were also good were of course, the Re-Animator series of films and From Beyond. This has a quality to it that is different from these, making it a more entertaining film to the masses.Siskoid
The third and last of Stuart Gordon's Lovecraft adaptations (accepted that Castle Freak is only inspired by ol' H.P.), Dagon comes a dozen years too late. Had this adaptation of The Shadow Over Innsmouth been made earlier, it might have starred Jeffrey Combs instead of look-alike (but talent-unalike) Ezra Godden, and could have brought to bear some of the crazy creature effects Gordon was then known for. The practical effects are relatively tame compared to earlier, better works, and when it switches to CG, ugh, let's not even mention it. But as is, I think Dagon has a strong start and finish. The small nautical disaster is very well staged, and the ending has a touch of bizarre despair I expect from a Lovecraftian tale. The middle, however, is just a lot of shambling zombo-Deep Ones, and exposition delivered by Francisco Rabal in one of his last screen roles, not at all well-served (or well-serving) because his accent is impenetrable (closed captioning to the rescue, but still). Truthfully, and I know these things never REALLY scare me, the only fright I had was when the girlfriend through Godden's laptop into the ocean because he didn't know how to switch off and enjoy his vacation. I saw my life flash before my eyes. The evil mermaid stuff just isn't remotely on the same level.Falkhorn
Amazing adaptation (and extension) to the amazing short story titled "The shadow over Innsmouth" by H.P Lovecraft.Choosing Spain as the place for the cult was a great choice since it gives a foreign and alien vibe to the movie.
mightysparks
This film fecking rules. Don't listen to the hater, it's amazing. 9/10Jashezilla
The acting is horrible, script even worse, and just the crazy gratuitous mess that it turns into is really disappointing. Loved the premise and the feel of the whole thing, but not well put together at all.NewBorn007
Somewhat interesting film with an unusual and entertaining concept behind it, but it does drag on too long and at the end you are just left not knowing what happens.Mudskipper
god..this movie traumatized me when I was a child! i wasn't used to not happy endings!St. Gloede
Pure and utter trash. Acting below c-grade, dialog even worse. It was just disgustingly bad. The only thing stopping it from getting 1/10 was that they knew how to work a camera and that a few things towards the end semi-surprised me. Mostly because they were idiotic, but I'm a generous fuck.