Superdeep

Just watch Blomkamp´s Zygote on Youtube instead. Same thing without the filler, and the monster is way creepier.

Yes, The Superdeep is no masterpiece but the rather low rating has something to do with the fact that this is a Russian movie (at least my guess). What we get is some nice story with a solid production and acting, and some fine visuals here and there spiced up with a little hunch of horror. Of course, we all know too well the ingredients the story of The Superdeep is cooked up: The Thing and Alien may be mentioned here.

There are some logical issues (why the members of the expedition don't wear the full protection suits and gears all the time in the hot zone for example just can be explained by a mystic of higher rank) but I know a lot of movies published by Hollywoods greatest companies, or Netflix, Marvel and whoever, that got far far bigger holes in the plot - and better ratings. Anyway, if you like this kind of movies The Superdeep will deliver a nice snack. Solid to good.

Apparently this was made for $4 million which whilst is a heck of an achievement did hinder it somewhat. The basis for the story is good and lends itself a lot to 'The Thing' in many respects but could have been fleshed out a little more. Probably the biggest grievance I had is the editing, it really needed a lot more work & professionalism in places as one scene would jump to another and you'd be left confused as to what had actually happened. Minor niggles would be the subtitling (I don't speak Russian) which lost a little in translation, the lighting in some scenes which was just too dark and some plot elements (a trained scientist walking unprotected into a room which is clearly a biological hazard?) we're just dumb. With a bit more time and money it would have earned a 7 out of 10 from me.

The setting is a great place for a horror film with the real life stories that emerged from the borehole. Its debated whether the recording of voices is real or not, but with the Russians, its hard to tell facts from fiction. Anyway the movie keeps a good pace. Standard horror movie idiot characters of course. If they had expanded a bit of the plot it would have rounded this film out nicely. Felt the story was a bit rushed. Decent film though. Deserves a higher rating than the current 4.9.

When I read the synopsis for this 2020 movie titled "Superdeep" (aka "Kolskaya sverhglubokaya"), I must admit that I was immediately interested, as the movie sounds rather interesting. So as I had the chance to sit down to watch "Superdeep" here in 2021, of course I did so.

I must say that "Superdeep" is a movie that will find some appeal to fans of John Carpenter's "The Thing", as there are some interesting similarities between the two movies.

However, "Superdeep" just doesn't really match "The Thing" in terms of intensity or entertainment value. Now, don't get me wrong here, because "Superdeep" is definitely a watchable movie, but writer and director Arseny Syuhin just didn't have the same ability as John Carpenter to make this into an equally entertaining and disturbing movie.

What "Superdeep" was lacking was that sense of isolation, hopelessness and cosmic dread that "The Thing" had to it, and it was showing on the screen. Sure, I managed to sit through the entire movie, but I was only adequately entertained. However, "Superdeep" is not a movie that warrants a second viewing, as it just didn't have the contents to its storyline for more than a single viewing.

The acting in the movie were good, and it was rather nice to get to sit down and watch a movie like this without having familiar faces on the screen.

Something that was holding the movie back was the fact that it was a rather generic, linear and predictable movie. Writer and director Arseny Syuhin just didn't throw any curveballs to the audience along the way, much to a greater disappointment actually.

"Superdeep" is definitely winning points on its special effect and visual effects. The creature design was rather interesting, and the scenes where the people finally give into the spores is just amazing. Those scenes by themselves makes it well worth sitting down to watch "Superdeep".

Ultimately, while "Superdeep" was watchable, it was just not a memorable or outstanding sci-fi horror experience. It was a shame, though, because there definitely was a lot of untapped potential here in the movie.

My rating of the 2020 movie "Superdeep" lands on a mediocre five out of ten stars.