 
In
the rough town of Manhattan, people end
up being pulled in the sewers by
something monstrous as a photographer
named George Cooper (John Heard) and a
fellow helping to feed the homeless named
A.J. Shepherd (Daniel Stern)
accideantally learn of the government's
convert subterranean dumping site of
radioactive waste that is mutating the
underground vagrants as it turns them
into grotesque mutants known as
Canniballisitc Humanoid Underground
Dwellers.
They both try to put a stop to the
cover-up with the police and to destroy
these creatures before they get them as
they start to invade other people's
houses throught basements and other areas
as they haven;t got much time till these
creatures feast on the locals in
Manhattan.
However there's a greedy governer named
Wilson (George Martin) who will stop at
nothing to keep his radioactive plans
fully functioning.
An great 80's
horror monster flick but and great for
certain times too like on Halloween night
with a good budget and great effects.
Interesting idea though of something
dangerous living in the CHUD sewage
system.
Good effects on the creatures which
should amuse fans of monster films.
The acting is good
for an 80's horror film. Gorgeous
lead actor John Heard was the
best actor throughout the film as a
photographer trying to find some missing
cases on homeless people. He certainly
had a beleiveable outgoing attitude and
charming personality.
Daniel Stern showed energetic
attitude as someone who helps the
homeless people as he has a good slick
and paranoid personality.
Kim Griest as Heard's
girlfriend wasn't too bad but she could
use a bit of polishing to her part.
George Martin was terrific as a
stubborn, greedy and crazy head governer
knowing his part inside out.
Supporting actress Ruth Maleczech
lived to play a crazed bag lady as she
was one of the most stood out performers
in the film.
We also get a brief appearance of John
Goodman before his days in the TV
sitcom Roseanne playing
an officer during the ending of the film
which was a true classic with his role in
the film.
Lots of gore as
people are slaughtered by the creatures
as their remains are splattered all over
the sewers
There's a leg half chewed
A monsters head is chopped off
The directing is
in above average taste. Douglas Creek
seemed to know his stuff on directing a
monstrous horror film.
There is a very impressive beginning of
the film showing a lady walking down the
street and then the creature opening a
lid to the sewage system and drags her in
He shows a perfect close up shot on small
actor Graham Beckel as a
homeless guy with his sneering and
vicious looks while eating and Daniel
Stern warning Christopher Curry about
him which was well polished.
Beckel really knew how to react
crazy when Curry was questioning
him and a nice violent reaction when he
slams a knife on the table.
There's great scene's with John Heard
and supporting actress Ruth Maleczech
acting off of one another while walking
through the passageways of the sewage
system which was very impressive and
great shots on them walking in the parts
of the sewers which looked quite gloomy
Supporting actor Bill Raymond shows
nice quivering reactions to his pain and
sickness lying in a corner
Stern shows good paranoid and
aggressive attitudes in a conference
meeting about the pics he's taken and
what he saw and throwing himself to the
people there.
George Martin really expresses his
voice when he explains the meaning of
what CHUD meant on a file.
There's a bit of a rough dialogue with
Heard and supporting actor Bill
Raymond having a discussion in a
sweage system when Heard is
about to leave when Raymond
looks into another passageway and the
monster drags him in as it's very obvious
that this was going to happen as you can
tell that Creek wanted you to
jump during this moment. We see a nice
shot on Kim Griest walking down
a ladder to a basement and then sees a
mangled dog spinning towards her as she
shows a nice shocked reaction.
Also, she does well after spotting a
creature and moving furniture to a door
showing nice blocvking to her scene.
She also poses nicely holding a blade
waiting for the creature to attack.
The whole scenery looked dark and creepy
and almost looked like an old fashioned
monster type of scenario with some 80's
flavor to it.
Martin really shows some insane
reactions while driving a truck towards
all Heard, Stern and Curry
and the three of them react well by
trying to dodge away from the vehicle
when it first approaches them then
there's a good explosion afterwards.
The last scene was my favourite with a
not as heavy John Goodman and Jay
Thomas as policemen walking into a
diner acting flirtatious towards small
actress Hallie Foote as an actress which
was a comedic part that worked well.
During the movie, Creek shows
nice shots of the monsters hands lifting
up sewer lids in the streets as well as
doorways and great shots on them too when
they attack.
British composer
David A. Hughes composed the music
and does a fantatsic job as it sounds
mainstream but very original too which
really blends in.
He also composed music for shows in his
area including the Man Who Made
Husband's Jealous.
Mrs.
Monroe: Cooper, you son of a bitch.
I'm in jail. I only get one phone call.
You think I wanna waste it talking to
some goddamn fucking machine?
Captain
Bosch: Are you kidding? Your guy's
got a camera. Mine's got a flamethrower.
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