Plunge into this go-for-the-jugular sci-fi thriller starring Peter Weller (RoboCop) and Richard Crenna (First Blood) and featuring non-stop action, nerve-shattering suspense, and awesome creatures by special-effects legend Stan Winston (Aliens). On the dark and forbidding ocean floor, the crew of a deep-sea mining rig discovers a sunken freighter that harbors a deadly secret: a genetic experiment gone horribly wrong. With a storm raging on the surface and no hope of rescue, the captain (Weller) and his team are propelled into a spine-tingling battle for survival against the ultimate foe—a hideous monster that cannot die…and lives to kill. Directed by George P. Cosmatos (Tombstone) from a script by David Webb Peoples (Blade Runner) and Jeb Stuart (Die Hard), Leviathan is a gripping and imaginative thrill ride that will leave you gasping for air…and clawing for the surface! Featuring Amanda Pays, Daniel Stern, Ernie Hudson, Michael Carmine, Lisa Eilbacher, Hector Elizondo, Meg Foster, and music by Jerry Goldsmith (Alien).

For thoughts on Leviathan, please check out our discussion on The Video Attic:

[youtube https://youtu.be/aPEnqs3FnYU?si=Prdb-hHBVBC6VWCa&t=1305]

Video Quality

Leviathan debuts on 4K UHD Blu-Ray courtesy of Kino Classics with a really good 2160p/Dolby Vision transfer derived from a 4K scan of the 35mm Interpositve. The word is that the Original Camera Negative was held up by the rights holders in Italy, so the source is one generation removed from the source. That being said, top-shelf transfers are made from Interpositives all of the time, and this transfer is no slouch. This release comes with a Blu-Ray disc which is derived from the same new source. The film was previously released on Blu-Ray in 2014 courtesy of Scream Factory from an older source. Even if this wasn’t presumably an upgrade, that release has been long out of print.

This 4K UHD Blu-Ray won’t go down as the best of the year, but it appears to be a fantastic representation of the material. The natural film grain is very finely resolved yet does not seem to be digitally scrubbed of its texture. There are almost no extreme highlights, but the time we do see open skies, things hold up well enough. Highlights offer more stability while avoiding instances of blooming. Black levels are notably deep and allow the image to maintain a welcome amount of depth and detail in the plethora of darker environments. The Dolby Vision/HDR provides very natural, deep colors throughout the relatively subdued, metallic palette which gets the most out of the clothing, production design, and lighting choices.

Print damage has been cleaned up immensely with not much to mire the viewing experience. There is a great deal of texture and detail within the transfer which makes the space and central monster feel alive. Skin tones are consistent across the ensemble, and the clarity of the transfer gives you a stark amount of facial detail. This transfer gets the most out of the source even if the film itself is not the most visually jaw-dropping. There is practically nothing in the way of softness or fluctuation in quality. Kino Classics allows the film to look the best it ever has.

Audio Quality

The 4K UHD Blu-Ray presents the movie with both a DTS-HD 5.1 and 2.0 Master Audio lossless track, but this is not a case of all tracks are created equal. The DTS-HD 2.0 stereo track is undoubtedly the way to go with this one since the surround sound track often sounds very muddled when it comes to the clarity of the dialogue. The fleshing out of the soundscape is not worth the sacrifice in fidelity. The directionality of the sound is rendered confidently throughout with askew placement. The low end really brings memorable moments to life with texture to the terror. The score establishes the appropriate mood which radiates out with admirable fidelity. If you stick with the original 2.0 stereo mix, the experience remains in good shape. There are optional English subtitles provided. Special Features

Audio Commentary: Film Historians Steve Mitchell and Nathaniel Thompson deliver an informative commentary track in which they discuss various aspects of the production including the development of different scenes, the shooting conditions, the visual aesthetic of the film, the background of the various cast members, the challenges that were faced, where this film hits into the cinematic landscape of the time, and much more that makes for an enjoyable listen.

Leviathan – Monster Melting Pot: A great 41-minute featurette filled with interviews with the special effects team who worked with Stan Winston. There are a ton of fun anecdotes about the challenges of working on the movie, the comparisons to The Abyss, the colorful personality of George P. Cosmatos, and more that you will not want to miss.

Dissecting Cobb with Hector Elizondo: A 13-minute interview with the legendary performer in which he discusses getting involved with the film, his feelings about his character, bringing a sense of humor to his performance, learning important lessons from Lee Marvin, the shooting locations in Rome, the grueling conditions, memories of his fellow cast members, and more.

Surviving Leviathan – Interview with Actor Ernie Hudson: A 15-minute piece with the icon in which he discusses how he landed his part in the film, his impression of director George P. Cosmatos, the most memorable days of shooting, creating the underwater world, his discomfort filming in water, and more.

Trailers: There is a two-minute trailer provided for Leviathan. There are also trailers provided for Deepstar Six and Deep Rising.

Final Thoughts

Leviathan is not the ultimate underwater creature feature, but it offers up a decent level of fun which you need sometimes. The ensemble all play their stock characters appropriately, and the Stan Winston special effects are beyond reproach. Obvious things are holding it back from being a classic, but it serves its purpose. Kino Classics has given this one a 4K UHD Blu-Ray upgrade with a pretty strong A/V presentation and some vital legacy special features. If you have a soft spot for creature features, there is enough here to check it out. Recommended

Leviathan is currently available to purchase on 4K UHD Blu-Ray and Blu-Ray.

Note: Images presented in this review are not reflective of the image quality of the 4K UHD Blu-Ray.

Disclaimer: Kino Classics has supplied a copy of this disc free of charge for review purposes. All opinions in this review are the honest reactions of the author.