Review of Creepshow (1982) by Aaron N — 29 Oct 2009

Professor Dexter Stanley: Two people are dead, and I could be blamed. I know that's a terrible consideration to have at a time like this, but -.

[Henry hands him a drink and he swallows it one gulp].

Henry Northrup: Last time I saw someone do that was in the movies!

Professor Dexter Stanley: It could mean my ass, Henry, it wasn't me! It was that - that thing in the crate! And I don't even know what it was!

Zombie godfather George A. Romero and Stephen King combine to make a solid horror anthology. Five stories, a prologue, and an epilogue, encompass the two hours of fun present in this feature. Made in the style of a comic book, with an ensemble cast, quality scares, and a lot of comedy as well, this fright flick works.

Following the prologue, the first short deals with a demented old man returning from the grave to get the Father's Day cake his murdering daughter never gave him. The second is about a not-too-bright farmer, played by King himself, discovering a meteor that turns everything into plant-life. The third is about a vengeful husband, played by Leslie Nielsen, burying his wife and her lover up to their necks on the beach. The fourth is about a creature that resides in a crate under the steps of a college. The final story is about an ultra-rich businessman who gets his comeuppance from cockroaches.

Doctor: This is going to be extremely painful, Mr. Verrill!

Written by Stephen King, each story is a lot of fun. The second, to me, is the funniest, the third is perhaps my favorite, the fourth is a bit long, and the final short is a little strange.

What I was most impressed with, was Romero's direction. Clearly setting out to emulate the feeling of old pulp horror comics, the film literally immerses itself in a comic book atmosphere, using hand drawn panels as scene transitions, lots of dutch angles, among other camera tricks to portray its sense of style, and heavy use of primary colors throughout. Add to this the special gore effects by Tom Savini and a more than game ensemble cast, Romero gets exactly the kind of tone necessary for a collection of films like this.

With five stories, the film is a bit long, but its certainly intent on supplying entertainment and certainly for a large crowd. It also helps that the scares set up in this flick still work. Jumps aren't overemphasized, but placed in at appropriate moments as well as coming after well built tension.

Very enjoyable fright film.

Henry: I drove out there with the remains of three human beings... well, two human beings and Wilma.