The Monster Squad (Two-Disc 20th Anniversary Edition)

Buy This Item The Monster Squad (Two-Disc 20th Anniversary Edition) by Lions Gate  Available from Amazon  $14.99  on 11-27-2008     Thriller for the younger set about a bunch of kids who stumble upon a talisman which is being sought by five monsters (Dracula Frankenstein the Wolfman the Mummy and yes--Gill Man). The monsters need the charm because it will give them the power to live longer but can they retrieve it from the lads who are also aware of its abilities?System Requirements:Running Time: 82 Mins.Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: COMEDY Rating: PG-13 UPC: 017153215663 Manufacturer No: 21566 Reader Reviews Six kids and their dog band together to do battle when Dracula, the Wolf Man, Frankenstein, the Mummy, and Gill-Man invade their town in search of an amulet that will let evil rule the world. Sean Crenshaw is the 12-year-old monster fanatic leader of the Monster Squad, his best friends Patrick and "Fat-Kid" Horace at his side. A junior-high Fonzie named Rudy joins the group initially to ogle Patrick's teenage sister with a pair of binoculars from the squad clubhouse. Sean's five-year-old sister Phoebe contributes to the cause as much as anyone, and we can't forget little Eugene, whose efforts are grand if a bit late. Director Fred Dekker's intention was to create a modern "Little Rascals meet the Universal Monsters" kind of film inspired by one of the greatest movies ever, "Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein", and though the fashions seen in "The Monster Squad" are unmistakably '80's, the film meets its goal wonderfully and still holds up today! "The Monster Squad" is perfectly cast and very well executed, with a troupe of classic monsters that are kept serious, dangerous, and scary, despite their comic-booky garb, resulting in a fantastic depiction of how they are seen through the eyes of a child. The kids keep it real too, which may cause some folks to declare the language a bit strong and thoroughly politically incorrect, but if you can get around that you'll find this is one supremely entertaining film for the kid in you. Unfortunately, the complications of marketing an apparent kids' film with scary monsters in the '80s caused most parents not to take their kids to "Monster Squad" and most adults not to go on their own, leaving the film viewed as a flop. Thanks to home video, however, "The Monster Squad" grew as a cult favorite more everyday, and today is highly regarded by "children of the '80s" as a true and beloved classic! "The Monster Squad" gets a fantastic presentation in this 2-disc, widescreen DVD release from Lions Gate (not sure if it is anamorphic or not, as my TV is square, but the DVD case doesn't mention it). Disc One has two commentaries, one with the director and select cast members and another with the director and the director of photography. Disc Two includes an excellent 5 part documentary, "Monster Squad Forever", covering the making of the film and the aftermath, and it's full of great interviews with the kids, the makers, and the monsters. Not all squad members are present for interviews and commentary, however. Among the kids, we only hear from the actors who portrayed Sean, Rudy, and Phoebe. Tragically, Brent Chalem, who played Horace, passed away due to pneumonia in 1997 at the young age of 22. Other extras include an interview with Frankenstein's monster, deleted scenes, the original theatrical trailer and TV spot, and a still gallery. This 2-disc set is a goldmine of material for us "Monster Squad" fans who were denied a release for so very long! Incidentally, before this classic 80's film there was another "Monster Squad". It was a kids' television series from 1976 about a teenager who worked in a museum and battled evil with wax likenesses of Dracula, Frankenstein, and the Wolfman that came to life at night. Pretty hokey stuff, but I'd like to see it come to DVD someday too!

The Monster Squad (Two-Disc 20th Anniversary Edition) Available from Amazon Price: $14.99 Updated on 11-27-2008.

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