Review of Leviathan (1989) by Mike H — 28 Dec 2012

How long can you hold your breath?

The 1989 'Leviathan' is part of the wave of many underwater-movies that appeared after the success of Cameron's 'The Abyss'. I agree that the claustrophobic location and creaturely-suspense are compared to 'Alien' and 'The Thing'. Although it had an impressive cast with Peter Weller (Robocop), Richard Crenna (Rambo Trilogy), Daniel Stern (Home Alone) and Ernie Hudson (Ghostbusters), 'Leviathan' did not get the fame it deserved.

On the last day of their 90 day project a team of seven deep-sea miners, working for the Tri-Oceanic Corporation, stumble upon a wrecked Soviet ship, 'The Leviathan'. Two of the miners enter it and retrieve a closed safe. Back at their underwater base the team agrees to open the safe. Inside they find documents of the deceased crew of 'The Leviathan', a videotape and a bottle of Vodka. While Commander Steven Beck (Weller) takes away the liquor, another team member Sixpack (Stern) is able to hide a flask. Bowman, who saw this, convinces Sixpack to share the Vodka with her.

The following day Sixpack feels sick and gets examined by Doc Thompson (Crenna), who discovers strange markings on his back. He's infected with something. When Sixpack dies eight hours later, Doc and Beck decide not to tell the others to avoid panic. But what they don't see, is that the corpse of Sixpack is mutating. And just then, Bowman begins to feel ill and hell is about to get lose...