The Beast

"The Beast" tells about the battle of a coast town against a giant squid. I liked the craftsmanship in the movie, a good script with likeable characters the audience cares for (hardly seen that in new monster flicks recently). Nobody acts really dumb, they all have their flaws and motivation. The story is very much "Jaws" by the numbers, though. First a few people disappear, then a whole boat, politicians and a billionaire run unnecessary risks to use the whole affair for their personal advantage. Despite the feeling of seen-it-all-before, good work. I watched the "uncut" TV version which is nearly 3 hours long.

Very good version of Peter Benchley's novel 'Beast' about the arrival of a giant squid and the danger it presents to a small fishing community. Obvious references to Benchley's far more successful 'Jaws abound but the story remains as strong as ever, humans going up against a seemingly unstoppable sea creature to which anything but mortal fear would be an unusual reaction. While I personally disagree with a few of the editing decisions no one can deny that Charles Martin Smith's Graves is a better character than in the book and that William Peterson is perfectly cast as the hero Whip Dalton. Anyone who has read the book will be able to accept the smooth changes along with the rough and believe that this is a far-above average adaptation of any simple novel, especially one destined merely for TV.

This film first aired on television when I was in middle school. They advertised it heavily and it turned out to be a really great film. It is a well produced television movie that will give you the creeps at certain points. One underwater scene near the beginning of the second half of the film will really get you going. This is the uncut version I am talking about.

There are several cuts of the film that are out there that are very incomplete. The version I have is the one that originally aired on t.v. If you are into things like jaws and King Kong, then you will get a lot of enjoyment out of this film. Some of the characters may be a bit corny but they are played well by some familiar character actors. William Petersen is especially good in the lead role. You really buy the weight he brings to the character. He seems like a genuinely good guy.

I don't agree with the other review at all I though even though they did mess with the story from the book if you forget about the book and concentrate on the movie itself its a pretty good movie.Sure it wasn't done on a high budget but its not cheesy and all in all the special effects are good.I think if you liked Jaws or any of its sequels you'd like this movie I certainly do.I thought it was a really good movie and I think that the squids look really good.I liked the fact that they kept them to a huge size but a size of squid the could exist.Its makes it seemed scarier to me.If you like monster movies or action movies like peter benchley's the deep I definitely think this is a movie for you.

I first saw the movie in 1997 on TV. I loved the movie. Even though it is a made for TV movie, it was still awesome. They could have made some money in Theaters I'm sure. The Giant Squid is an amazing phenomena in its self. For all you movie lovers of Big Creatures or the unexplained... This ones for you. I would highly recommend watching. It's better than a lot of theatrical movies. Ever since I saw it, I am determined to one day get a big boat & go fishing for one of those Giant Squid. Who knows? It is an interesting movie. I didn't find it boring at all. With a little twist along the way... But you'll have to try & find it somewhere & watch it to find out. It is a hard movie to come across. Anyway, Andrew Hillier from St. John's NL, Canada gives it a Thumbs Up and a recommendation. Peace!