Writer-director Neil Marshall’s latest creature feature, The Lair, is a satisfying enough movie for those seeking a decent watch. Co-written by and starring Charlotte Kirk, this horror-action pic opens as Royal Air Force pilot Lt. Sinclair (Kirk) is shot down during basic maneuvers in Afghanistan. Pursued, Sinclair takes shelter in a subterranean bunker only to discover a lab filled with humanoid monsters floating tubes of goo. As Sinclair’s pursuers find her, they accidentally set the creatures free. The Lair has everything that Marshall’s fans have come to love him for. There is a strong heroine, tense action, and bloodthirsty creatures. Yet the ingredients never really seem to gel because the film leans into the cliches rather than defying them.

Sinclair escapes her pursuers and the creatures to find safety in a nearby American outpost in the desert. She tries to explain the bunker and the creatures to the motley crew of dumb Americans, but they are far too busy existing in their routines. The only one that shows her any sort of kindness is the strapping Hook (Jonathan Howard) who keeps the others at bay with their belligerence. Also at the encampment is Kabir (Hadi Khanjanpour), an Afganny prisoner picked up by the Americans. Kabir knows about the monsters in the bunker too but has said little to anyone since each attempt at communication has been met with aggression.

Then night sets and that is when things get really crazy. The creatures stage an attack on the camp. Why? Well, you sort of find out. Through the melee, sides are taken stories are believed. We finally get a look at these creatures and they are pretty darn menacing. Think Venom but with a few more teeth and a prehensile tongue. The craftsmanship of both the design of these monsters and the effects that bring them to life is impressive for a moderate-budget film. From here, the band of soldiers weighs the worth of heading back to The Lair to rid the desert of these creatures once and for all.

Marshall and Kirk’s script does have some inventive moments along with some clever set pieces. The attack on the American encampment is pretty intense and staged clearly and effectively. A few moments at the bunker are interesting too with warfare above and monsters below. The sad part is that Marshall gives into the more broad tone of a typical actioner. One-liners are delivered, the action is far more rhythmic and choreographed, and the danger seems to have a glib tone rather than a menacing one.

The Lair seems to be Neil Marshall’s answer to Michael Bay and if that is your thing, you are in for a treat. This viewer, however, found the film to be a little below Marshall’s talent. The Lair is a fine escape that is easy enough to watch, but it’s like going to a steakhouse to get a burger.

6 out of 10