THE RETURN OF SWAMP THING - DVD Dungeon
The Return of Swamp Thing - 1989
Director: Jim Wynorski
TRUE DUDES REVIEW:
Leafy super hero Swamp Thing (Dick Durock) is back to go another round with the evil Dr. Anton Arcane (Louis Jourdan), who apparently didn’t die in the first film. Heather Locklear plays Arcane’s ditzy stepdaughter. She visits Arcane seeking closure to her mother’s mysterious passing. Arcane, taken by her beauty and youth, decides she would make a prime candidate for one of his experiments as he tries to obtain eternal youth for himself. Swamp Thing, hip to the mad doctors sinister shenanigans, comes to the rescue.
I liked this way better than Wes Cravens limp-dicked take on Swamp Thing (1982). This has badass mutant/monsters, fun characters, and a fucking sense of humor. Also, Swamp Thing actually looks like a cool superhero and not just some some fucking jerk in a green leotard like he did in the ‘82 version. Wynorskis initiative really comes through, especially with the opening credit sequence. Fun movie.
The Image Enertainment special edition has lots of cool special features: audio commentary from director Jim Wynorski, promo reel, still gallery, six tv spots, and theatrical trailer. You also get two public service announcements from Swamp Thing.
Weird side note: Director Jim Wynorski is one of the featured interviewees in John McCarty’s book The Sleaze Merchants. In it he’s asked what it was like working with Louis Jourdan. Very bluntly, he keeps saying he hates Jourdan. McCarty tries to delve a little deeper as to why the two didn’t get along, and Jim just keeps saying things like “It starred Louis Jourdan, whom I hate,” “Let’s just say I hate him,” “I hate him. That’s all I can tell you.” I always thought that was so fucking awesome and funny to hear a director say that about a stubborn actor. So, when I got the disc I was more than stoked to see there was an audio commentary from Jim. I couldn’t wait to hear what he had to say about Jourdan. However, on the commentary he explains that he thought he was a good actor, a little difficult to work with, but then he says “we got along”(you can hear his voice kind of change as he says it). I was hoping he was gonna call him a “cocksucker” or something. After listening to more of the commentary you can sort of tell that Jim Wynorski is way more professional than that.
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True Dudes gives The Return of Swamp Thing 3 out of 5 middle fingers.
