Review of Creepshow (1982) by Simon D — 15 Oct 2013

While most wouldn't call this Romero's best work, it is probably his funnest film. For one thing, he managed to assemble an amazing ensemble cast, easily one of the best ever: Adrienne Barbeau and Fritz Weaver give career-best performances, and they're joined onscreen by such luminaries as Viveca Lindfors, Hal Holbrook, Ted Danson, Carrie Nye, Leslie Nielsen, a very young Ed Harris and none other than the great E G Marshall. Even author and writer of this film Stephen King stars in his own segment...and does a pretty excellent job, actually!

The five segments presented here are delivered in the style of the EC horror comics of Romero's and King's childhood, complete with gaudy filtered lighting and comic book-style graphics both linking the stories and incorporated into the visual narrative of each. The segments are also cleverly arranged, with each being better than the last, culminating in the last two entries, which are justifiably the most famous. I won't run down the narrative contents of these tales, as you can no doubt find that anywhere; instead I will say that Romero is probably the only filmmaker who could've realized this film so beautifully; his visual style is perfectly suited to the concept. Also, as I pointed out, there are some really excellent performances here. Don't expect complex characterizations (we're in the world of pulp horror comics, after all), but the actors have a great time bringing these intentionally one-dimensional (and almost always sleazy, horrible, or some combination thereof) figures to life. This is a horror fan's delight, and I recommend it if you're fond of the genre, as I am.