Creature Walks Among Us, The

Rating: ***/*****, or 5/10

Second sequel to the original Creature from the Black Lagoon (1954), set closely after the events of its predecessor Revenge of the Creature (1955). Previous director Jack Arnold, so talented in making Fifties' science fiction films work effectively instead of making them cheesy, has left the director's chair and delivered it to John Sherwood, who unfortunately lacks his finesse and understanding of the genre (his only other noteworthy directorial credit is the fun but campy The Monolith Monsters (1957)). After busting out of its marine park prison, the creature is tracked down in the Everglades and again captured, but horribly burned in the process. Surgery saves his life but also necessitates the removal of his lungs for his survival, so scientists turn him into an air breather with an overall more human appearance, but still undeniably not human. Used as a scapegoat in a melodramatic love triangle and the resulting murder plot between his new owner, his wife and her lover, the creature again breaks free and goes on a rampage, after which he is again subjected to man's violent nature. It's clear who is the monster this time. Though opening on an eerie note with the Florida swamp scene, the movie quickly loses steam and takes the franchise in a dull new direction, largely removing everything that made the monster so intriguing in the previous films. Though the movie contains some moderately thrilling action scenes and excellent alternative creature make-up, it's definitely the worst of the trilogy, and the only one not released in 3-D.

Starring: Jeff Morrow, Rex Reason, Leigh Snowden

Directed by John Sherwood

USA: Universal Pictures, 1956