Review of Basket Case (1982) by Francis T — 16 Jun 2009

Classic low budget horror films almost invariably come equipped with less than stellar acting, crude sets/effects, and goofy dialogue. If one of these films' concept is ingenious enough and buzzes with energy, often the limitations of the film stop becoming distractions and actually add to an overall campy feel that cannot be purposefully duplicated. The Evil Dead may be the finest example of such a film, but throw Phantasm, Re-animator, Dead and Buried, and From Beyond into the mix as well.

Basket Case likewise goes into the keep pile. This early 80's film about some dude that carries around a ghoul (of sorts) in a picnic basket everywhere he goes executes fantastic where it needs to and less than stellar in other areas that do not take away from the film's enjoyment. For example, if some ghoul attacked your midsection, I doubt that blood would somehow perfectly squirt into your eye...... repeatedly, but these bouts of unintended humor add enough comedy relief to add to a pretty unique and almost admirably developed story of the thing in the basket.

As expected, the limited budget requires ample use of blood and ridiculous violence, just like we enjoy it.