31 Days of Horror: Monster Squad
Posted by Robert Fure (robert@filmschoolrejects.com) on October 10, 2008
Monster Squad (1987)
Synopsis: When Dracula, alive and well, plots to take over the world with the help of other classic monsters including Wolfman, The Gill Man, Frankenstein’s Monster, and The Mummy, it’s up to a ragtag bunch of outcasts to band together and defeat the menace that others refuse to see. It’s a job only The Monster Squad can handle.
Killer Scene: Wolfman, who has nards, finds a stick of dynamite near his nether regions. It explodes, splattering his body parts across a wide swath – but the effect doesn’t last long. Soon Wolfman’s body reforms itself and he’s on the prowl again.
KILLSHEET
Violence: I love this movie, but it is a bit of a stretch to call it violent. There really isn’t anything here that most children can’t handle, but the Wolfman’s explosion scene helps this film at least make an appearance on here. Other monster related injuries, including kicks to the balls and a garlic burn, give it a one.
Sex: A half-skull is awarded because we see a cute girl in her bra. There are some cuties in this, but it’s a kids film and as such, there really shouldn’t be any sex – and there isn’t. Though female virginity does come into play later in the film. Plus, I had a crush on Lisa Fuller.”M
Scares: The monsters are very well designed and do have some scary moments when you’re eight years old. As an older viewer looking back, none of us should be scared by this, though as a family film, any child watching it may have a jump or two. The atmosphere of the film is great and there are some spooky times, but nothing that would get a rise out of your average teenage viewer.
Final Thoughts: Monster Squad is a childhood favorite of mine that was recently released on DVD – and I still love it. While it won’t compare in the rating scheme we chose above, this film deserves a spot alongside your Halloween Horror collection. Halloween isn’t solely about pants-crapping terror, but about celebrating the season and the mood – something this film captures effortlessly. The classic monsters bring back fond memories, the film delivers great doses of humor, hilarious quotes, and is one of my definitive must watch movies of October. If you haven’t seen it, go into it expecting a fun kid’s type flick and I think you’ll find a lot to enjoy, even as an adult. Clearly, my love of the film has guided my hand in bumping the Skull ratings up slightly, but seriously – check this film out. It is awesome.
Are you a fan of The Monster Squad?
Read more articles by Robert Fure
