CREEPSHOW 2 (1987)

Why Creepshow 2 before the original? Why the hell not? It's actually because I just watched it so bear with me. I remember in the early 90's when my dad got this on VHS. Nostalgia is so sweet......

So to start off, Creepshow 2 is sort of a rip-off. It contains just three stories compared to the original's five. While it's technically a disappointment in this way, it does not take any of this surprisingly fresh sequel's merit away. The cartoon interludes feature a maniacally fucked up child, waiting for his newest issue of Creepshow, and an unnamed Cryptkeeper-like figure who tells the stories.

Our first story, OLD CHIEF WOODENHEAD, concerns an elderly couple living their days away in Dead River, a town "finally living up to it's name". The couple are killed off by a gang of thugs, A retarded slob, a rich kid, and a young native American who's obsession with his long hair is just comical. Upon their death, the couple's wooden Indian statue comes to life, and systematically knocks off the young thugs. It's entertaining and a good start to an 80's movie.

The second and best story, THE RAFT, features a group of stoned and horny teens on a cruise ride to the beach. There they discover what looks like an oil slick, floating around the small lake. This "slick" is just a blob like creature, swallowing victims to become ever larger. This second tale is tense compared to the other two and is quite a step above in creepy atmosphere. Without a doubt the best segment of the film.

Our final story, THE HITCHHIKER, opens in a sleazy apartment where we meet a young woman paying for sex depsite the ring on her finger. Her guilt leads her to hit a man. When she rushes from the scene her feelings of guilt intensify (obviously). Watch out for a Stephen King cameo at this point. The Hitchhiker follows this woman wherever she drives in a very repetitive story. All in all, it's ok but easily the weakest and yet most humourous of the three stories. The ending is ambiguous and open to interpretation.

I found myself laughing quite a bit with Creepshow 2. Especially when "THE CREEP" begins throwing issues of his magazine all over the road whilst his delivery van is in motion, traveling further and further away as the credits roll. But that's the point. It's a fun movie that any fan of horror can easily have a soft spot for. I am one of them. THREE STARS OUT OF FIVE.