Review of Creepshow (1982) by Robert I — 01 Jan 2013

You'll watch this now and probably think that it's not too scary. However, back in 1982, this would have been quite something. I even vaguely remember seeing snippets in my early teens but being too scared to watch the full movie on my own! By presenting 5 separate stories in the one movie, it not only avoids any continuity boredom setting in, it allows the introduction of several of people's greatest fears and phobias which include cockroaches, monsters under the stairs and the living dead! Horrors which play on people's mind as they go to sleep at night, more than which scenes of just gore and violence would.

With the exception of one of the stories (about some man turning into a big green weed), the other 4 stories are very commendable in their own right and with the help of what would now be considered a star studded cast, allow this film to achieve a respectable level of creepiness! They probably save the best short story to last in my opinion which sees a mans obsession with hygiene and bugs finally get the better of him, as his spotless penthouse gradually becomes infested with cockroaches so much so that they start bursting out of every crevice (including his mouth)! However, even if you don't like one story, the good thing is that with this comic strip style concept, you only have to wait 25 minutes for a completely fresh one to start.

It's a storyline that isn't used very much nowadays but certainly has its advantages. It may come across as very dated now, but it is recommendable for some classic old school viewing, and I'd certainly give the follow-ups a go too.