User reviews

The name Sean S. Cunningham will automatically always be attached to 'Friday the 13th'…his notorious teen-slasher that messed up the genre for good. Yet, Mr. Cunningham did do a few slightly more ambitious projects. This DeepStar Six is a semi-successful undersea-monster mash with surprisingly good acting, decent special effects and a couple of good old-fashioned scary moments. The film deserves a reasonable rating, slightly higher than all other lame and laughable Ridley Scott and James Cameron wannabes. The plot involves an 11-headed crew that is about to finish up a 6-month research at the bottom of the ocean. When exploring the ocean floor, they accidentally stumble upon a hideous and relentless monster. Like it usually is the case in this type of films, it takes a little while before you actually get to see the monster. By that time, human stupidity already exterminated half of the cast…. Granted, the monster itself is one ugly critter and not at all badly put together by the special effects department.

But…let's not praise this film too much, because it simply remains a rather anonymous 80's monster movie like we've seen them so many times before already. Not one action presented here isn't inspired by or similar to the ones featuring in other films and every character is a flawless stereotype. The performances given by the entire cast actually outshine the roles they're playing. Highlight of them all is Miguel Ferrer who portrays the typical, cowardly crewmember. Constantly complaining and arguing at first and when the monster shows up…he flees to and leaves his colleagues to their own device. Every monster flick stars a bastard like that, you know. As well as the super-intelligent and over-ambitious female scientist and the heroic captain who sacrifices himself in order to save his crew. If you ignore these inevitable weaknesses, you'll certainly have fun. You get what you expect, and that doesn't necessarily have to sound like a bad comment.

the first 30 minutes of this movie are fairly boring,with not much happening.the film begins to pick up after that.it's basically Alien underwater,though nowhere near as good as that movie.the characters are not as complex,nor is the storyline.it's a B movie,in every respect.when the creature is finally revealed,it's a disappointment.at least i thought it was.unlike Alien,where you get to know the characters,here you really don't,so there's nothing invested in their fates.when they died,the only reaction i could come up with was a yawn.they're all underwritten.the movie is also predictable from the get go.still,it's not the worst movie of the genre,so i give DeepStar Six a 5/10

Yes, this movie isn't that awful. It does have some questionable physics, and a whole bunch of plot holes. It even has some bad actors! But in the end, it keeps going well enough to maintain interest, albeit sometimes only to see what foolishness comes up next.

The main star (I guess) is Greg Evigan, of BJ and the Bear fame. He doesn't have a chimp side-kick here, though. In fact, there are a whole bunch of people who filmgoers will recognise, if not be able to put a name to. But the real star is Miguel Ferrer, who has a kind of Hudson-from-Aliens role. He gets increasingly manic as the film progresses until he finally loses it totally. The movie is worth watching for him alone!

The plot is the usual "science tampering with nature" deal and the ensuing onslaught of nature on science. Nothing remarkable. Nothing that isn't predictable. The creature, however, is refreshingly different and done well enough with the effects of the day to not look pathetic in this age of CGI.

As I mentioned, there are some dodgy plot holes and physics, but the movie entertains enough that you can overlook them (for the most part) and just enjoy it.

All in all a film worth a look in on a quiet day.

"DeepStar Six" is just another "Alien" clone, to be ranked with all "Alien" clones as just another time waster. This might be what it deserves, however, it can be noted as a few notches above other "Alien" clones for its excellent cast, which, even when the story and writing become pretty silly, sticks to it and keeps things running smoothly. The characters are pretty convincing as well, epecially for such low standards as this. And while most of the film is talkly and uneventful, I will proudly state that the last half hour are great and very tension-filled. I was very pleased with the climax, and even the monster was acceptable. If the whole film had been as surprising as gripping as the last half-hour, this might have been the greatest "Alien" clone around. Instead, it's just a pretty good, low-budget flick that's worth watching once or twice if it comes on cable.

**1/2 out of ****

Some arrive while others leave an American underwater platform. It's a mixed use facility where the military is setting up nuclear missiles and civilians are experimenting on long-term colonization. A cavern under the missile site is found but something more is uncovered.

Director Sean S. Cunningham's claim to fame is making the first Friday the 13th. This isn't breaking any new ground as much as following a temporary trend in underwater adventures. This pales in comparison to some of its competitors. The actors are second tier character actors. They do functional work but the characterizations are mostly nondescript. Other than an annoying coward played by Miguel Ferrer, the characters need better definition. At the very least, the military personnel need to be wearing uniforms and acting in a more strict manner. The special effects are mostly miniature work. The setting design looks like B-movie leftovers. I'm almost certain that I saw this back in the day but it's pretty much forgotten until I watched it again recently. This is a monster movie where the monster is rarely seen. It's an hour before there's a glimpse of the beast. There is a question of logic about launching missiles from the ocean floor. All of it adds to a lesser underwater adventure.

At the time of writing, IMBD users give this film a 5.3. I have generally found that most movies < than a 6 are not worth my time, but this is that rare exception.

The plot is far from perfect. But it is fine for what it is: an undersea adventure gone awry. Special effects still hold up pretty well in modern times, and the movie is just one of those flicks that is fun to watch.

Absolutely worth a watch on some late Saturday night.

The only redeeming element is braless Scarpelli's permanently erect nipples. She'll get you through the first half of the movie. After that, you're on your own.

I don't see why people keep on trashing this movie which has no more shortcomings or implausability than most blockbusters.

Maybe because, as everybody seems to think, everything that has no big stars and isn't the latest multi-billion brainless disaster can't be good ? This one is more disaster movie than monster movie, since the giant crab is only one amongst many problems the survivors has to face. Nothing great, nothing to lose sleep over, just cheesy B fun. So why all this hate when "Leviathan" was a bigger-budgeted but even more stupid and derivative heap of ....

This film was terrible. The storyline has an interesting basis involving an underwater nuclear plant in the near future, which could have led to myriad possibilities for disaster that would put a scare into the audience. So which direction does it take? An ancient sea monster attacks, and by the time it does, you wish it would kill every unlikeable character in the film. The special effects in this movie are terrible, and the acting is worse (led by Greg Evigan of "BJ and the Bear" and "My 2 Dads" fame). I angrily walked out on this stinker when I initially paid to see it, but later on television I watched the ending in a moment of terrible boredom. That was a mistake--the only thing worse than the rest of the film was the unpredictably predictable ending where Evigan survives a deep underwater battle with the monster and surfaces alive, totally ignoring scientific principles like a necessity for air or the existence of water pressure. Don't watch this film unless you are a masochist.

Okay, it's no The Abyss or anything, but for a knock-off of a knock-off, it's pretty damn decent.

The effects, though pretty low budget, are nonetheless well done. The creature design is pretty cool. The characters are likeable and well-written enough to keep me invested in what was happening.

It's no game changer to be sure, but if you're looking for some b-movie monster fun, you could certainly do much worse than this.

Review Summary: Forgettable rehash of THE ABYSS and ALIEN.

During 1989, a certain sub-genre in the sci-fi films struck cinemas, it was the underwater disaster/thriller epic. Three films were released that time. The most popular was "The Abyss", directed by James Cameron. The other was "Leviathan". "Deepstar Six" maybe the weakest of the three. Mostly because of its lack of a famous cast and impressive special-effects. But it's lack of visuals, doesn't always mean it's bad. "Deepstar Six" is not a totally terrible film, but it's lack of special effects, thrills and especially originality totally sinks it. The film promises a B-monster movie, but the alien beast doesn't fully appear until the second half. First, the crew must get past a flooding, a nuclear explosion problem and the lot, all tedious in its attempt to thrill the audience.

If the film gave more interest, it would have been better, even for a rip-off.

Rating: * out of 5.

It is my firm conviction that DeepStar Six will one day be regarded as a good movie. The current 3.9 rating at IMDb is, to my mind, ludicrous and flat-out wrong. It may not be an incredible, immortal masterpiece - I do have to admit it is second to The Abyss - but this is definitely a good movie in virtually every way. For the last fifteen years I've owned a VHS tape of it recorded from a laser-disc version, and seen it loads of times. Today I got the Region 2 Widescreen DVD, and I was once again confirmed in my opinion that this is a fine movie. It is underwater sci-fi horror, and one of several such movies from the era, but except that it doesn't have the clout, effects wizardry and budget of a James Cameron attached to it, it manages to be an extremely well-crafted production none the less.

The actors are great. Every one of them have absolutely unique and realistic character traits and the dynamism between the crew is superbly entertaining. Nancy Everhard as a soft-spoken female navy seal is played with humble sincerity and feminine sensitivity, making for a very realistic package. Nia Peeples is the sexiest thing you ever saw, and the one whose intuition foresees the whole thing. Miguel Ferrer is even more obnoxious here than in Twin Peaks, yet also profoundly pitiable. Everybody gives an amazingly human and believable performance, and the action and production values are overall perfectly adequate and effective, succeeding entirely in suspending the viewer's disbelief.

To the day I die, I will maintain that this is a good movie. And posterity will prove me right. One day...

9 out of 10.

I remembered watching DeepStar Six on TV as a kid, about the same time I first watched "The Abyss." While this movie is not as suspenseful, dramatic and adventurous as "The Abyss," I still found it to be quite entertaining and fun.

The film starts off with a crew in a sub doing some sort of experiment on an underwater nuclear base. However, their presence then disturbs an unidentified giant sea creature, which I thought resembled a large lobster. The creatures attacks the sub and crew and then the rest of the movie is basically a struggle for survival with some intense monster action.

The movie is sort of predictable and the cast of characters weren't as memorable as I recalled, but it has a quick-paced plot with good special effects and intense monster action one might find enjoyable.

Grade B-

This is first and foremost, a B movie. It's a hastily made movie trying to ride the coat-tails of Abyss' hype... and it shows.

First, the plot: basically, just an excuse to get a strange hungry creature on board an underwater facility with some terrified humans. From then on, it all unfolds as linearly as you'd expect, with force clichés thrown in; some scenes directly borrowed from other poor movies: the very last scene, for instance, mirrors exactly the groan-inducing end of Jaws 4.

To seal the deal on a terrible script, quite a few events are completely unexplained. Don't worry, you'll easily predict them, not because they logically follow (they don't), but because they're stereotypical horror movie tropes, badly executed.

Next, the creature. The real meat of this kind of movies! Expect disappointment. It looks sillier than scary, moves excruciatingly slowly (on camera; off-camera, it moves extremely fast, maybe it's just shy?) and spends more time posturing (and roaring) in front of the humans than actively attacking them. One never sees it whole, but its head and torso have more screen time than the rest of the cast combined.

Finally, the effects. Strong effects can do a whole lot to redeem an otherwise bad movie, DeepStar Six doesn't have those. DeepStar Six compensate for lack of effects with pure gore, in B-movie tradition. Gratuitous gore.

DeepStar Six isn't enjoyable. The script is just painful; the creature arbitrary and uncharismatic; the intense scenes dull and slow.

The late eighties were full of Aliens rip offs and this is one of the better versions. Obviously it was never gonna be as good as it's more illustrious brother but it's not a total waste of time. An underwater team are exploring the bottom if the ocean when they discover what could be a mysterious cavern. Some of the crew want to explore it but the teams leader wants to plant detonators to collapse the cavern. This is a bad idea as soon creatures appear from the cavern and it's now a battle of the fittest, or most sane to be honest.

It's not a terrible movie, it's just not good enough to be classed as great. The cast are ok but it's pretty obvious who is going to survive so the tension is not a great as it could've been.

People keep making excuses for this film and how it doesn't have the budget or flash of a James Cameron movie. Actually, what it lacks is a script editor or writer who has any idea what it is like to watch a movie.

The first thirty minutes demonstrate utterly nothing happening. The crew recycle old jokes, complain, and chatter on all without establishing any real personality to the characters. You could cut this down to a five minute montage of one-liners and lose nothing. Then, there's lots of stumbling around while trying to figure out what is happening. Are we supposed to believe the Navy entrusted this crew of people with a $600 toilet lid, much less a submarine? Once the movie gets going, it improves marginally, but not really. Characters cannot identify a reason for any action they take. Instead, they just flail about and burn screen time doing stuff that tells us nothing about the characters, doesn't contribute to the plot, and builds an "atmosphere"...of tedium. It is excruciating to watch the filmmakers stumble again and again without making a point or providing any kind of actual tension. Instead, it's like watching a second-rate imitation of Seinfeld that got filmed underwater by accident.

As others have noted, the short synopsis of this is: incompetents undersea are trying to build a missile base, dynamite a cavern, and unleash a terrible monster. Everything else happens exactly as you would expect past that point. Then at some point, anticlimax happens when the monster turns out to be not as exciting as you might hope, and implausible as the terror of the deep that keeps these people in "suspense." What makes all of this interesting is that aspects of this movie are well done. The sets are beautiful, the cinematography is great, and the soundtrack is well-above average. But it feels like a sitcom, has cardboard characters, and never gets any depth (har-har) to the motivations of anyone in the film, so it ends up being like "Moby-Dick" retold by the town drunk. I got a lot of laughs out of this film mocking it MST3K style but definitely do not recommend it.

There are films with $30,000 budgets that beat this one palms down simply by having edited their scripts for what an audience might find interesting. Did anyone read this script? When they typed it, maybe, or when they started filming, or when they xeroxed it for crew members? It's as if no one could look at this and think, "You know, that's going to be a COLOSSALLY BORING MOVIE, let's drop the shtick and go for the action... or add some personality to these stick figures." But nope. Zero out of four billion stars.

Deep Star Six is not a brilliant film although it is worth watching. It is a classic science-fiction B movie. The special effects and the sea creature are just about acceptable. It is clear though that this film had a pretty small budget.

This was the year of the underwater adventure/horror movie. I think both "The Abyss" and "Leviathan" came out this year. This is the one I liked the least of the three. Not that I was all that crazy about the other two. This one had the underwater research facility like the other two, but this one had some strange monster unleashed, unlike them. Leviathan had a sort of mutating beast that came from a sub and "The Abyss" did not have any sort of monster at all. The problem with this one is that it is a very slow mover and the monster which the previews made it seem like it was the main attraction (as does the tagline) at times just does not factor into the equation. Of course this movie has its highlights, like when the dude goes up in the escape pod without being decompressed, but all in all this just was not too good of a movie. The problem with all three of the underwater movies is that they all seemed to be missing something. They should have pulled their talents and made one movie.

This forgotten and unsuccessful entry by Friday the 13th creator Sean S. Cunningham has been victim to constant criticism by horror/sci-fi film buffs around the world. 'Deep Star Six', along with 'Leviathan', will always be associated with 'The Abyss' - as the anticipation films, and this is why I think it fails with many people. It is because they associate it with 'The Abyss', a superior film. Now, I'm sure the film makers were anticipating that another James Cameron movie would become a blockbuster and obviously they saw the topic he was basing it on had potential. No doubt their goal was to compete with the maestro of the blockbuster with films on his resume that spell 'The Terminator' and 'Aliens'. And much like deep space, deep ocean exercised the imagination. This was a chance to make big money. So, at least four films came out that year surrounding the depths of the mysterious ocean. This is the obvious.......

The problem, is that we still associate these three films long after 1989. Apart from the obvious, they are nothing alike.....at all. One is about aliens that manipulate water that have a good reason to destroy the humans (The Abyss). Another is a horror about genetic mutation and a resulting monster that feeds on living things to grow and wreak havoc (Leviathan). And the other is a gory adventure story about what creatures can be lurking below the ocean floor (Deep Star Six). The latter, although not the best of the three, utilizes the imagination far beyond the other two in that it really makes you think about what's down there.

Contrary to popular belief, I thought the direction by Cunningham was competent. Maybe not the best direction of all-time, but it was atmospheric and that's what I loved about it. Also, if we're already comparing them, 'Leviathan' might have been more expensive, but 'Deep Star Six' looked better and more realistic (although I immensely enjoyed Leviathan and its sets).

The casting was great. I like it when adventure escapist films don't use well known actors - it really makes you feel like you are there and I think you get to know the characters better that way. Otherwise you'd be thinking about the actor's trademark persona all the time. Marius Weyers is one hell of a great South African actor and he always gives a tense and convincing performance in such films.

The suspense was well spread. Not over indulgent but realistic. Again, the movie makes you feel like you are there with the crew, so the suspense is more circumstantial than deliberate. The music builds with the atmosphere well.

The most important part of the film for me was the cavern and the creature. Both were designed very well, considering the film's limited budget. The creature for the most part was very convincing and at times even scary. The film's special effects, especially the gore was unbelievable. The scene that stood out the most for me was Snyder's quick panic escape to the surface far far about the ocean floor in which he forgets to decompress and he pops like a watermelon - a masterful sequence. Although the creature isn't always around in the film, it is never-the-less quite responsible for 90% of the accidents that occur, apart from the few it actually kills on its own. If the creature weren't there, none of what happens in the movie would have actually happened. So, although we don't see much of the creature, the film is solely based around it. It is the fore front of everything.

I liked how the film was a little character driven. Miguel Ferrer nails his role with extreme prejudice. He stole every scene, as the hot-shot turned loser turned psycho. His transformation is unreal. The whole cast is essentially fish bait with brains trying to survive this mysterious creature and resurface.

I found the film very engaging, interesting and thought provoking and I just let my imagination take over. The film took me to another world. It was a fun, suspenseful, gory and atmospheric sci-fi underwater adventure.

Although it may have some 'Alien' elements in it, it by no means is an 'Alien' clone. It is completely an original film and feels more like a Jules Verne story than a Ridley Scott story. Whoever associates this with 'Alien', 'The Thing' or even 'The Abyss' should be sent to the Gulag for 30 years hard labor without parole.

I recommend this film to anyone who wonders about the mysterious, undiscovered deeps of the ocean and to those who love adventure stories in general. Forget about the negative reviews the film gets. See for yourself.

What happens every time a highly anticipated movie is about to be released? The cuckoo effect! A rival studio rushing into production a similarly themed lesser film to cash in on the free publicity of the other film. It's been going on for decades and isn't going to stop.

In 1989 we got TWO cuckoo films trying to cash in on the release of James Cameron's much anticipated 'The Abyss.' One was 'Leviathan' and the other was 'Deep Star Six.'

While it would be impossible for either of the two to even be in the same league as 'The Abyss,' 'Leviathan' was an enjoyable cuckoo film. It had a fantastic A list cast, a scary build up, and quality FX. 'Deep Star Six' had... Miguel Ferrer.

That's the major problem with 'Deep Star Six,' it's doesn't fail because it never even tries on any level. For example, 'Leviathan's limited budget required them to film dry for wet for its underwater shots, which it did surprisingly well. 'Deep Star Six' ONLY HAS ONE 30 SECOND UNDER WATER SHOT! That's right, an under water sci-fi action film which only has one under water scene!

The plot, a deep ocean under water base... well, they never really explain WTF there is a giant under water base. They only mention something about it being a nuclear missile site for the Navy or something.

Unlike 'Leviathan' the characters are extremely forgettable and the cast is totally devoid of any namable stars, save Miguel Ferrer whom is terribly miscast in his role. The only other three actors I recognized were Greg Evigan ('My Two Dads' 'PSI Love You' 'Tek War') Matt McCoy (husband in 'Hand That Rocks The Cradle') and Elya Baskin (token Russian guy in EVERY MOVIE).

I looked up the filmographies of the other actors just in case I missed anyone. Nope. They've barley done any other work.

Their mini subs are attacked by a sea monster or so we're told. Remember, there's only one under water shot in the beginning so we never actually see the monster under water or the destruction its blamed for.

The monster eventually gets inside the base and this is another example of 'Deep Star Six' not even trying as Matt McCoy being cut in half is NEVER SHOWN! In one shot he's alive, in the next he's cut in half. Maybe the monster is innocent? So far we haven't seen it cause any of the deaths. In fact, we haven't even seen the deaths!

When we finally see the monster it's bigger than an elephant which begs the question, how the hell did it get inside and how does it later fit through airlocks the size of manhole covers?

The surviving crew members do the only sensible thing and close the airlock, thus trapping the monster inside the base! While the airlock was leaking water they'd already decided to abandon the base anyway so what would one flooded room matter?

Anyway, five crew members escape the room alive. Alright, so letter lock the door and NEVER go in that room ever again! At this point the film reminds us that they will decompress and evacuate the base in four hours. Good! Just leave the monster alone for four hours and they'll never have to see it ever again!!!

Of course they go back into the room!!! What's the worst that could happen? Thus the monster causes more death and destruction. Maybe it just wants out? Open the airlock and let it out!

As I said, there's nothing to hate about 'Deep Star Six' except how little it tries. It was a cuckoo project to begin with that really comes in a distant third behind 'The Abyss' and 'Leviathan.'

Deep in the ocean some foolish marine biologists accidently disturb an ancient prehistoric creature from its slumber. The creature is understandably a little cheesed off and proceeds to cause the death of many of said biologists. With your brain safely checked in with the cloakroom attendant this film is undemanding and fun. The creature is particularly impressive and credit must go to the the special effects guys. The cast is eclectic and low budget with Miguel Ferrer giving the best performance as Snyder, the only member of crew realizing the gravity of their situation and slowly going stir crazy. This film is better than many other watery efforts and this includes bigger budget efforts like Leviathan and Sphere.

A secret underwater team are exploring the possibilities of underwater colonisation with the financial backing from the US Navy and in return for that they blow up an underwater carven so they can construct a deep-sea missile silo, though in doing so they release some sort of prehistoric sea monster that picks off the team one by one- but that's only one of their many problems.

This is a very formulaic- but reasonably fun Horror-Sci-Fi film by director Sean. S Cunningham (Friday the 13th), which came out the same time as the overblown- but dull 'The Abyss' and for me the best of the three 'Leviathan'.

Fairly routine stuff, but still it has it's moments of sheer excitement. The setting of the film is good, from the set details of the 'DeepStar six' laboratory base, where most of the action occurs too the alienation of the calm ocean floor.

The characters are your stereotypical types, but the performances are well-delivered with Miguel Ferrer as the very edgy and hysterical Snyder who steals the show and Matt McCoy as the wise cracking Richardson adds some life too. The script had its tedious spots of state the bloody obvious comments- but it's mostly bearable, with some added wit provided by McCoy's character.

The direction by Cunningham is solid, with some nice touches of suspense created and not forgetting a couple of gory moments that truly standout. While the plot is reasonable- it still follows your usual monster on the loose formula, though the idea of the creature's origin was interesting- but it definitely could have been explored in to more. Though other than a sea-monster causing trouble for the underwater crew they also face human foolishness and a leaking laboratory base, with some of the crew falling victims to themselves than the monster.

The pace can be slow at times, though that does help add tension and it definitely picks up in the last 40mins when the monster actually fully appears. While the special effects and the monster itself is fair and it does look a bit like the monsters from 'Tremors' and add a bit of crab too- but it does look more ridiculous and very rubbery when the whole design appears on screen… I was hoping that they would keep it mostly hidden e.g. 'Jaws'- but overall it's not too distracting.

Well, have I gone soft, as this discreet sea-monster film has definitely improved on my second viewing?

...this film is a notch below Lobster man From Mars...except "Lobster" was funnier!...I would stop writing here , but they want me to finish four lines...Stinks Stinks Stinks....They should have asked me to do the directing and writing and acting....End of the Line...GARBAGE!

When John Carpenter makes a low budget sci-fi thriller it becomes cult, when Sean S. Cunningham does the same practically everyone calls it cheap. I don't get it. Okay, DeepStar Six is a little dull, but once the monster pops up it isn't that bad. Visually I think it's fine, and although the special effects look slightly pre-mature and clearly a lot of small-scale models have been used I actually prefer this over the clinical and steely looking computer tricks pulled by canonized Industrial Light and Magic.

To compare this film to Fantastic Voyage (1966) may be way out of line, but still DeepStar Six reminded me of that somewhat ridiculous film in which a scientific crew and their vehicle are shrunk in order to explore the human body. Little human bodies are saved in DeepStar Six and that is a bit of a waste since the cast is good and especially the female contributions (by Nia Peeples, Nancy Everhard and Cindy Pickett) are swell. Greg Evigan makes a nice lead and he has the right looks for his heroic part. Thank God (or Cunningham) they did not cast a bull like Steven Segal or Chuck Norris for this part, for that would have spoiled everything. A pleasant surprise is the presence of Marius Weyers (who played in the wonderful classic The Gods Must Be Crazy). Not at his best here, but I don't mind.

Camera and lighting are done in such a way that the interior of the ship as well as the atmosphere look pretty authentic and Sean S. Cunningham has done a fine job in making his actors move around in it naturally and convincingly. Not a masterpiece, but I am pleased to see a film like this from a man who has done much worse.