Eye of the Beast (DVD)

Almost a carbon copy of director Gary Yates' other 2007 Sci-Fi Channel Original (read our Maneater review here), Eye of the Beast has: A dangerous creature run amuck in a small town; a scientific-minded newcomer; amiable homegrown law-enforcement; suspicious locals; and expendable, edible tourists.

Just like Maneater, Eye of the Beast is competent, slick, well-made, and… dull. But this one takes place underwater, and the killer's got eight suckery, spiky tentacles instead of four measly paws with mere claws. Actually, it is more exciting that Maneater. But it doesn't star Gary Busey. A definite minus. The "name" in this unrated TV movie is James Van Der Beek. He is properly channeling the Gorton's Fisherman with his rugged good looks and Brolinesque beard, and his performance is up to snuff (a little too much so; a flick like this needs more camp), but when the staid story flatlines in the second act even Dawson can't revive it.

The well-photographed, beautifully appointed movie begins with an introduction to our villain, a giant squid who somehow wended his way to a quiet Canadian lake and has developed a taste for guppies and ageing Yuppies. After the first of the tourists goes under, the sheriff (played by a super-stilted ex-commercial actress, Alexandra Castillo) gets involved. She's already under pressure from some of the Native American community after one of their own goes missing.

The set-up offer some decent hooks, and the requisite flirtation between Castillo and Van Der Beek's characters is cute and clever enough, but the movie goes into serious low-tide in the middle. Things finally pick up, after everyone is assembled on the water and someone says, "We're gonna need two boats!"

The third act, which takes place in the raging water on board a local surly seaman's creaky vessel, is nicely ramped up. All the usual suspects are there: the lovebirds, the missing local girl's angry brother, the sailor and his crusty crew, and a few assorted victims. The final moments, in spite of sketchy CGI and a totally laughable (yet admirable) practical squid puppet, are fairly gripping.

Eye of the Beast is definitely only for the diehard kracken addicts (or card-carrying members of the Dawson's Creek Fan Club), but it really can't be faulted, considering its limitations. Proceed at your own risk.

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Reviewed by Staci Layne Wilson