The Film:

While George Romero has created a few genre classics, amongst a career a good films, it seems that Creepshow shares a rare characteristic that such films as Dawn of the Dead, Night of the Living Dead, and Martin do not. Amongst almost anyone who has seen the horror anthology film Creepshow, has a soft-spot for it, whether they’re a huge horror nut or a casual fan. It’s this rare universal love that is at least unique in the Romero cannon. Even out of the Stephen King films, either he wrote or were based on his novels, nobody talks ill will on Creepshow.

It’s not hard to see why either, even nearly 30 years after it’s theatrical release, and its influence since. At its core, Creepshow’s intent is to honor and love the things we, on a basic level, love about the macabre. The film is an obvious loving ode to the darkly comic and grotesque EC comics of the 1950s, which were condemned by various forces for “corrupting” our youth. King and Romero’s great affection for these comics and their stories, echo within us, even if we never picked up an issue of EC’s Tales from the Crypt or the Vault of Horror.

Creepshow spills outward with its dark humor and scares. At our very core, even if we won’t admit it, we get a sense of thrill from stories based on murder, spooks, and other things that go bump in the night, whether it’s just once in a while or every night. I think that’s why Creepshow has endured in the hearts of horror fans. From the opening scene where a father (horror vet Tom Atkins) is scolding his son for reading a Creepshow comic, we’re in for a good time. After this opening prologue we’re treated to some wildly fun animation setting the stages for the five stories in this anthology. Do all of the stories work? Not really, but they’re all fun and campy, a trait that is in those original comic stories.

Father’s Day is one of my favorite stories here, with a wildly morbid scenario of a bitter father and his family. All he wants is his father’s day cake. The episode is short, running about 18 minutes, but delivers some cool zombie action and a great punch line ending. This is why I love horror, and it’s captured perfectly in this story. It has a ghost story told at a camp fire feeling to it, with a balance of horror and dark humor, all placed with some great visuals and an exclamation point of a ending. I’m sure you all have your favorite sections, but a key reason we love this film, despite it being an ode to our fascination with horror, is the visual style of the film. There are times when Romero stages a scene within a fun comic book-inspired panel. It never ruins a scare or the film, because it all plays in with the fun of the film.

From Tom Savini’s make-up, to the EC comics inspired stories, King and Romero have easily created a fun film, but also an influential genre classic. Without the success of this film, would we have had the great HBO TV series, Tales from the Crypt? No, probably not, nor any other horror-based anthology television series or films. A classic, indeed.

The Blu-ray:

Audio/Video: Despite its age and some of the dated optical effects, Warners has done a fine job for its first high def release. Colors are bold and bright, day time scenes show off the transfer’s fine level of detail in the film, especially in the actors faces. There are a few minor little print damage, but it will never distract from what is Creepshow’s best appearance on home video.

Even though the film carries a Dolby Digital 2.0 stereo track, it’s one great presentation. Little to no bass, but the track is alive, making for a great sounding time. I even noticed by rear speakers having some musical and sound effect cues.

Only a standard definition Trailer for the disc’s only extra. This is still the only sore spot for fans of Creepshow as we have never gotten a proper special edition for the film in Region 1.

Conclusion: Despite my gripe on the lack of extras, the disc is one of the better catalog horror titles on there, with a great transfer and audio presentation. Did I mention the film is endlessly adorable? Buy it.

The Film: Rating:

The Blu-ray: Rating:

Tags: Creepshow, george romero, Stephen King