Man-Thing (film)

Man-Thing is a 2005 US/Australian horror telefilm, directed by Brett Leonard and featuring the Marvel Comics creature created by Stan Lee, Roy Thomas and Gerry Conway. The screenplay by Hans Rodionoff is very based loosely on a storyline by Steve Gerber, who wrote the most well-known series of Man-Thing comics. It stars Matthew Le Nevez, Rachael Taylor, and Jack Thompson. The film had a budget rumoured to be $30 million but this seems inconceivable.

Most of the source material was altered. Among these are moving the setting from the Florida Everglades to Louisiana (though the film was actually made in Australia), and changing the creature’s powers from burning those who “know fear” to being able to manipulate the swamp’s vegetation. The movie also made no mention of A.I.M. or their attempt to steal the super soldier serum. The character is also represented in a significantly more antagonistic light than the comic-book version. Man-Thing’s former identity remained Ted Sallis, though in the film he is portrayed as a Native American shaman instead of a scientist. Consequently, the Man-Thing’s origin is somewhat different, though the Nexus of All Realities is still involved.

Two teenagers who have ventured deep into the swamp to have sex but the young man is killed by a plant-like monster.

The following day, young replacement sheriff Kyle Williams reaches Bywater and meets with deputy sheriff Fraser, who tells him that the previous sheriff was not the only missing person: At least forty-seven other people were missing, the first one having been shaman and Seminole chieftain Ted Sallis, since oil tycoon Fred Schist had bought the ancient tribal lands from Sallis himself to prospect. Schist claimed that Sallis had sold legally and escaped with the money, and asked the sheriff for help: Local protestors opposed to his perfectly legal activities, and mestizo scoundrel Renee Laroque was sabotaging his facilities. Williams investigated this while at the same time trying to find an explanation to the missing people, some of which were found brutally murdered with plants growing from inside their bodies. Weirdo photographer Mike Ploog and shaman Pete Horn tell Williams local legends about the guardian spirit, suggesting that it could be real…

“Brett Leonard turns in one of his best directing jobs to date, giving the movie an eerie feel that constantly holds the audience’s attention. Leonard also does a wise thing by moving the film along at a rapid pace that leaves little time for the audience to question the plausibility of what they’re watching. Comic book scribe Hans Rodinoff turns in an equally good screenplay, allowing for plenty of gory deaths and suspenseful moments. The titular Man-Thing gets a makeover, transformed from a little known comic book character from the 70′s into a frightening and powerful force…” Joseph Savitsky, Beyond Hollywood

“The director, Brett Leonard, tries for some jump-scares, but as with the rest of the film, they just fall flat, not even making for a startle. So not only does this film fail as a Marvel movie, it fails as a horror movie as well. He also tries to ram every Southern stereotype down our throat at any chance he gets (possibly to try and counteract the blaring Australian influences), while giving us some of the corniest and hackneyed dialogue you will ever hear. How can you not roll your eyes when a character yells out, “It’s the Man-Thing, man!”?”
Comic Book Revolution

“The filmmakers cannot seem to decide what Man-Thing is either. Throughout the film, it is implied that Man-Thing is a demigod sent by the vengeful ancestors of the wronged tribe. Or perhaps it’s a mutated Ted Sallis still alive for some odd reason. Or perhaps it’s a demonic ghost of Sallis, like a slimy version of The Crow. Or perhaps it is even a monster from another dimension that came into being from a Nexus of Realities that gets mentioned only in passing (How do you mention a dimensional portal in passing anyway?). The film never bothers to resolve this conundrum and because of their incompetence, it’s up to the viewer to take a guess at just what the hell is going on.” Scott W. David, Horror Express

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