Review of Pumpkinhead (1988) by John F — 07 Nov 2012

Very awesome little movie... surprised it took me so long to find out about Stan Winston's only directed horror film! (R.I.P.) considering I love all his work, being my childhood, I had to see what his film would be like.

.. it's not perfect, but it's damn good! Not very gory, but chilling and featuring another spectacular man in a suit monster from Winston and his team that more than delivers the monstrosity it needs to.

.. it even gave me a huge shot of chills up my spine in one of it's first appearances inside a kitchen when it pokes it's head around the corner. The story is pretty much a very tragic revenge story about a father who looses his son because of some silly teenagers and turns to an evil witch to raise a monstrous demon that will avenge his sons death and make the teens suffer.

.. but this comes with a cost which will make him suffer too... and this clever little horror story goes on from there as a suspenseful fight against this demon and it's a very entertaining watch! What are the downsides? well, Stan Winston gets his characters developed and fleshed out as needed, but some of his direction is a bit sloppy.

.. but still very good for a first time, and something about the climax of the film was a bit off... it needed more build up or a grander setting to give it a stronger sense of excitement as it looses some of it's impact in what should be the most dramatic scene of the movie, but overall, still a good climax.

.. different from most monster movies that's for sure. Oh and, though Lance Henriksen is for the most part very good, this is not always to be said with the rest of the cast... but they're watchable and there are a few small roles such as that of the Son and the Witch that come to mind as good.

Well done Stan, you crafted an atmospheric monster film with heart and style that will remain greatly appreciated to horror fans as your first and only movie for the many years to come. (I'm gonna choose to forget he made one more movie.

.. yikes!) Very underrated movie.