Monster Squad – 20th Anniversary Edition (2-DVD Set/Lionsgate)
Picture:
B- Sound: B- Extras:
A- Film: B-
The end
of the world starts at midnight, but this review starts right now! Available finally to indulge all your
monstrous habits is Monster Squad: Two Disc 20th Anniversary Edition. The 1987 film penned by Frank Dekker and
Shane Black was by no means an instant hit and over the past 20 years has grown
through word of mouth and countless television appearances into a cult classic. Basically any child of the 1980’s should
recognize this film.
The story
follows a group of young teens who idolize anything to do with monsters. Unbeknownst to them, however, their childhood
fantasy is about to become all too real.
While the kids debate such issues as whether Wolfman has ‘nards’ or
not, Count Dracula is gathering a troop
of fellow monsters to take over the world.
The leader of the monster devotees (Sean) receives an old book from his
mother that she found at a yard sale labeled The Diary of Van Helsing, excited
he runs off to show his friends. After
certain events start occurring like a man supposedly claiming to be a werewolf
and, oh yea, the teens meeting Frankenstein they decide it is time to see what
the Van Helsing Diary really can do.
The boys
not being able to read the book, since it is in German, summon up the courage
to ask an old German Neighbor to help them out.
At first they are scared of him, but soon find him to be just an
ordinary and pleasant old geezer. In the
book the children discover a detailed description of how to close the portal to
the monster world and how to defeat the evil Count Dracula. Only by a virgin uttering an exact
incantation, while holding the sacred amulet can the gate be closed and Dracula
banished. From this point the children
set out on a mission to find the amulet and defeat Dracula. The only problem is Dracula has gathered some
of the most fearsome monsters; including Gill Man, Wolfman, The Mummy, and
Frankenstein. Though, it is quickly
discovered that Frank isn’t such a bad guy after all. Can this Monster
Squad stop some of the biggest evils this world has ever seen?
The
technical features are pretty good, even mummy would be impressed. The picture is presented in a newly mastered
16 X 9 Widescreen that shows little grain with only the occasional darkness
issue creeping in there. The newly
mastered 5.1 Dolby Digital Audio is nice and kicks all previous releases and
television versions of the film to the curb.
Though the sound is nice, to some degree the dialogue can be muffled
during the bigger action sequences and could use some work. The extras are the reason fans will buy this
DVD.
Extras
include full fill Audio Commentaries with the writer/director Fred Dekker and
the monster squad cast, a special featurette entitled ‘Monster Squad Forever’ that is admirable with its deep exploration
into the making and creation of the film.
The ‘Monster Squad Forever’ featurette also speaks with all surviving
cast members, makeup artist, and more. The
featurette is simply awesome. Other
features include ‘A conversation with
Frankenstein,’ Deleted Scenes, a Theatrical Trailer, TV Spots and a cool
still gallery. Overall, the
documentary-like extras are great and can be watched again and again.
In the
end, yes, The Wolfman has nards.
- Michael P Dougherty II
