Mermaid Chronicles Part 1: She Creature

Like others here, I saw this not expecting much. A cheesy cover, no budget, a so so title bad effects -- but brother was I WRONG! This is a magical wonderful movie with a style like Polanski and Tim Burton too! Sexy and also really well plotted. I was shocked! Rufus Sewell (The Illusionist) and Carla Gugino (everything she's in!) are so underrated and sooooo good here! Rya Kihlstedt makes a great mermaid. Camera is efficient at all times and sense of unease well sustained. Subject is a bit adult with lesbian sexual tones throughout (executed in a very thoughtful manner) but kids could almost watch this for old fashioned mystery horror.

WATCH IT WITHOUT PREJUDICE.

8 stars

This movie evokes some mixed feelings in me... it is carried by the two female actresses in main roles, and that storyline (pretty much the only one anyway) should have been followed to the end. The mermaid is superbly played by Rya Kihlstedt, in difficult circumstances (topless, mostly in water, with no dialogue). She is beautiful, exotic, sexy, vulnerable and deadly - what more could one ask for?

It is a real shame that the end is a cheap ripoff of the "Alien" movies - totally unnecessary and pretty much ruins the movie.

It is amazing that this movie couldn't get financing outside of ridiculous "Creature feature" serial... With proper budget and improved scenario this had the potential to be a hit, probably instant classic of the genre (you can quote me on that).

I am giving this a 6 overall: Rya Kihlstedt - an easy 10 Rufus Sewell & Carla Gugino - around 7 each, Gugino had more screen time but wasn't really that good the script & directing - overall 6, but the end ruins it down to 3

I saw this movie on TV a few months ago, and I liked it. With a small budget, Sebastian Gutierrez managed to deliver a more than satisfying film.

The acting is pretty good! Certainly Rya Kihlstedt is really haunting as the mermaid! But also Carla Gugino, Rufus Sewell and Reno Wilson do well!

The special effects are (for a low budget production) good. The movie is also (to my surprise) quite intelligent and sometimes it's even psychological.

The last scene makes me want to see The Mermaid Chronicles, Part 2!

A carnival sideshow frontman named Angus (Rufus Sewell) and his star performer / girlfriend, Lily (Carla Gugino) stumble upon what appears to be the opportunity of a lifetime. A real mermaid! Angus simply must have this hypnotically beautiful creature at any cost. This leads to criminal activity and death. Angus and Lily secure a ship, and head to America to hit the big time with their new attraction. Once at sea, the horror begins.

If you enjoy a really good monster movie, then you should love SHE CREATURE. It's not just a showcase for Stan Winston's special effects, as glorious as they are. There's a solid story to hold it all together. This is an excellent example of a terror tale spun right. Angus and Lily are more than just 1-2 dimensional characters. They're flawed human beings with both good and bad motivations. The title creature (Rya Kihlstedt) herself is far more than she seems to be. She displays so much in her dark, beguiling eyes! The ferocious finale is very satisfying indeed...

Nothing special about this movie in itself - but worth watching for the remarkably talented Carla Giugino! As an Englishman, I have to say that Ms Gugino manages to pull off the incredibly difficult task (for any American) of acting throughout the film with the most impeccably correct English accent I've heard from any non-native actor, ever. If you thought Meryl Streep's accent was good in The French Lieutenant's Woman, or Gwynneth Paltrow's in any of her 'brit flicks', then take a listen to Carla Gugino in She Creature. Not only is her accent flawless, but it's also the most varied and wide-ranging in expression and tone I've ever heard from an American. While Streep and Paltrow are good, their accents can tend to sound a little one-note at times, as if they are simply repeating a few key sounds to get the effect; Ms Gugino, on the other hand, sounds every bit the native English lady - with so many lights and shadows in her vocal performance that, as an Englishman born and bred, I was reaching for the IMDb trying to figure out where she might have picked up such a varied accent. Prep School? Born in the UK? No, doesn't seem like it. Oh, and by the way, she looks fantastic in this movie too.

I would recommend any English person to check out this movie just for Carla Gugino's English accent. If you can find even a hint of Sarasota anywhere I'll be amazed.