Review of Little Shop of Horrors (1986) by Jack V — 28 Nov 2011

The amazing god of puppeteers, Frank Oz, breathes new life into "Little Shop of Horrors", based on the musical of the same name, which in turn was based off the 1960 Roger Corman movie. The film centers around the awkward and shy Seymour (Rick Moranis) who gains a vicious plant named Audrey 2(Levi Stubbs), which is named after Seymour's crush, Audrey (Ellen Greene).

Well as you could guess, mayhem ensues, as the plant needs blood to survive, and poor Seymour has no choice but to feed it. Rick Moranis, while doing a great job, is still playing the same character he has played in numerous movies.

Don't get me wrong, he can play a nerd quite well, and I didn't dislike his performance (far from it), it's just that there's nothing new he has to offer. Steve Martin, on the other hand, does bring something new.

His role is the sadistic dentist, Orin, and he brings so ouch energy into his scenes. His facial expressions are among the best things to see. Whenever he is enjoying something, one believes it. Whenever he is mad as heck, one can again believe it.

Another actor who brings a lot of energy is Vince Gardenia, as Mr. Mushnick. I question whether or not to feel sorry for this character, or if I'm supposed to hate him, he's that complicated. In one scene, he can be a concerning generous man, the next, he's sinister and nasty.

I must say though, it was a fun character. Ellen Greene...isn't that ironic?..her name is Greene. Well, Ellen is a character that the audience is rooting for all the way. She has dreams and desires that we learn about, and we also see the life she has had to live, which makes us care for her well being and hope that she get's a happy ending.

The best two performances in the movie, however, belong to Levi Stubbs and Bill Murray. Murray's role is a downright hysterical masochist, who manages to disturb the dentist. This role was previously owned by Jack Nicholson, but Murray kicks it up a notch with his tone, expressions, even some his actions, like when he is getting ready for his own appointment.

Levi has the difficult task or relying only on his voice to bring the character of Audrey 2 to alive, and he succeeds. This plant is so much fun to watch, seeing it seduce Seymour and chomp down on people, it's an amazing effect.

In fact, I say that this may be one of the greatest practical effects ever put on screen. The puppets are so big and are required to do so many specific tasks, it makes one wonder a simple question: How? How could this possibly be done? Well.

with puppeteer, Frank Oz, there is no limit to what this plant can do in front of a camera. The music is also very well done. Again, Levi, Moranis, and Greene should be given lot of credit, but I personally would like to give special credit to the amazing trio, Tichina Arnold, Michelle Weeks, and Tisha Campbell as the sassy narrators, Crystal, Ronette, and Chiffon (get it, they're named after the all girl group bands).

Well this review is a lot longer then I expected, so lets end it with a rating. I give it 4 stars out of 5.