The Terror Beneath the Sea (1966)

- Kaitei daisensô
Early Sonny Chiba, 8 November 2005

When two reporters investigate the strange occurrences during a Navy submarine test, they become the prisoners of a strange underwater race of beings. They are taken to a secret laboratory where they discover a mad scientist who is using these creatures in his plot to take over the world. The reporters must free themselves and save the world.

The movie stars a very young Sonny Chiba as one of the reporters. While he is a far cry from the butt-kicking machine he would later become, his screen presence is undeniable. The other reporter is played by Peggy Neal. God, is there a more annoying woman on the planet. The seaweed in the movie had more talent.

While the movie features a good number of kitschy moments (the monsters being the prime example), overall it's far too slow for me to completely endorse. There are too many scenes of the two reporters swimming underwater or investigating the secret lab where literally nothing happens. The pair just wander around doing nothing. A little more action would have made things much better.

5/10