Review of Creepshow (1982) by Robby B — 21 Sep 2014

Classic franchise written by Stephen King and directed by 'zombie' Romero, starring an all star old school line up including the legendary Leslie Nielsen, Ted Danson, Hal Holbrook, Adrienne Barbeau, Ed Harris, Don Keefer and Stephen King himself...some greats in there folks. The stories are basic but this may be down to the fact the franchise is based on the old 50/60's E.C. Comics.

Like the world class 'Twilight Zone' 'Tales from the Darkside' and 'Tales from the Crypt' Creepshow is an anthology of horror tales that aren't exactly 18 rated horror but just kooky fun that would fit your Halloween party perfectly. The stories vary from quite good to rather average to be honest with minimal gore.

The film is comicbook style with some lovely animations of 'The Creep' a hooded skeletal zombie who spins the tales with his nice cackling laugh. The stories also have a lot of toon imagery throughout which are suppose to give the impression of boarders within a comicbook, nice but not needed for me. The whole film is also bookended by a short tale like all these anthology films.

As for the actual tales they are a mixed bag to be honest, the first being a zombie returning from the grave to get his birthday cake he never received, this has Ed Harris (with hair!) and is reasonable but nothing too special. Second stars King as a dumb farmer who foolishly touches a meteorite that lands in his crops and slowly becomes infected and overgrown with a mysterious space fungus or plant life. This story is better and more original than the basic zombie story and shows King in a really goofy role for some reason.

Third story involves Nielsen as a rich jealous man who sets up a nasty fate for his unfaithful wife and her lover Ted Danson. Probably the nastiest short in the film with a horrible way to die but the fact Nielsen is the bad guy makes it hard to take seriously, half expecting George Kennedy to pop up at any moment.

Third story stars Holbrook and is a good simple creature tale as a crate containing a large furry razor teethed monster eats people who dare go to close to the crate. Lots of blood and some good fun 'Critter' type eatin in this one.

Last story isn't too good in my opinion as a hypochondriac businessman lives in a hermetically sealed apartment terrified of bugs and germs, a story derived possibly from Howard Hughes and not very original with a predictable ending. Overall the stories could of been better but they do have charm and are still enjoyable.