This “Limited Edition” 4K Ultra HD release from Arrow Video will be available for purchase on September 30th.
For me, the original Creepshow (1982) was a landmark movie that cemented a lifelong appreciation of horror films. Even today, I still get a kick out of the flick and it’s pretty easy to see why it made an impression. There’s great production design and photography, spectacular make-up effects and a darkly comic set of stories that pay homage to creepy comic books. All of this is buoyed by a talented cast of actors who look like they’re having a great deal of fun.
I was never as enthused with Creepshow 2, but will admit that it is a decent anthology that does have several fun moments – including one particularly excellent segment. Arrow Video released an impressive Blu-ray of the title back in 2016 and are now giving the film a 4K Ultra HD upgrade. Besides a new and much sharper transfer of the feature, it includes the same great extras that will give viewers more of an appreciation for what the cast and crew did manage to pull off. As the bonuses reveal, this was a surprisingly troubled production.
The sequel contains three moralistic horror stories that feature characters taking selfish actions and paying for it via some supernatural monsters. The first segment, “Old Chief Wood’nhead” involves a life-sized, fully-carved store figure that takes revenge on the nasty kids who steal from and assault an elderly pair of shop owners (George Kennedy and Dorothy Lamour). “The Raft” follows some teens (Daniel Beer, Page Hannah, Paul Satterfield, Jeremy Green) who go to a remote lake to party, only to contend with a strange oil slick that attempts to consume them. “The Hitchhiker” is about a wealthy socialite (Lois Chiles) who runs down the title character (Tom Wright). Instead of helping the victim, she decides to simply drive off. The woman is pursued by the deteriorating corpse of the man, who repeats, “Thanks for the ride, lady!”
The first two chapters are well-produced and feature impressive location work. Of course, this is a horror anthology and as such the big highlights are really the practical make-up effects. They include Old Chief Wood’nhead himself, who comes to life and creakily stalks his prey. The make-up job on the man playing the statue is top notch. While by today’s standards, the blob from the second tale looks a bit less convincing, there are some nasty-looking moments as characters get grasped and absorbed.
In truth, it’s the third story that packs the biggest punch. Truthfully, it’s an extended chase, but one that is loaded with tension and startling car stunts as the deteriorating hitchhiker continues to try and enact his revenge of the driver. In the end, this is the one that ultimately stays with you. All of the stunts and make-up were done for real on location and they look spectacular.
The disc presents a 4K restoration from the original camera negative, presented in Dolby Vision. This transfer that highlights the film’s great effects work, as well as shortcomings of the production. Some of the night footage in the final segment has some grain, but that’s simply the way it was shot. And the small problems are understandable, given the stories about shooting from the extra features present.
When I reviewed the original Arrow Blu-ray, I suggested that it was the best the film had or would ever likely look. I was wrong. This is an improvement. Again, there is a fair amount of natural grain during the opening and in the first segment. But “The Raft” does look sharper, to the point where, if you look hard enough, you can see it raining in the background of a shot supposedly set during a hot summer day. And even though it’s set all at night, “The Hitchhiker” looks the clearest, with dark blacks and plenty of detail on the vehicle and road during the extended confrontation.
There’s a fascinating commentary track with director Michael Gornick and plenty of interviews with screenwriter George A. Romero, make-up effects artists Greg Nicotero, Howard Berger and Tom Savini. There are also ones with actors Daniel Beer and Tom Wright (additionally, it contains behind-the-scenes footage, two trailers and an amusing TV spot). The bonus featurettes are over an hour of really informative interviews and extras that help explain what a difficult time they had on set.
To summarize, production company Laurel (the company behind the original Creepshow) secured financing from smaller outfit New World Pictures. However, the money raised was slightly less than $4 million, roughly half of the budget of the original film. Some of the segments used were considered for the first film. And, while they wanted to do the film with another five tales, the lack of funds resulting in the cutting of two planned segments; at least one of which, “The Cat from Hell”, was eventually filmed as part of the 1990 Tales from the Darkside: The Move anthology.
When the group came together to begin production on the film, it was in Arizona for “The Raft”. Not only was shooting on the water challenging and slow, but they immediately experienced terrible delays due to torrential rain and inclement weather. Segment star Daniel Beer caught hypothermia, slowing the shoot even more. Almost immediately, the feature was over budget and 10 days behind schedule. That’s a truly terrifying scenario for a small, independent feature.
And by the time they returned to the Northeast to shoot “The Hitchhiker” finale, even more problems had arisen. Being later than anticipated resulted in the lead actress having to leave and be recast (Lois Chiles stepped in for Barbara Eden). Winter had arrived and the weather had turned especially cold and icy, making the shoot all the more troublesome. During the commentary, Gornick does state that Chiles was a real sport, stating that the cold conditions actually helped her get into the role. He also mentions shooting Stephen King’s cameo. Considering the unending trials of this production, it’s amazing the movie came off as well as it did.
In addition to the informative commentary, and archival interviews with executive producer/screenwriter George A. Romero, actor/make-up artist Tom Savini, cast members Daniel Beer and Tom Wright. There is an archival feature on the make-up effects with Howard Berger and Greg Nicotero, a moment in which Berger pays tribute to mentor Rick Baker, as well as behind-the-scenes footage, an image gallery, trailers and TV spots, original screenplay galleries, a “Limited Edition” booklet with a comic adaptation of the unfilmed segment “Pinfall” (which was screenwriter Romero’s favorite bit), a booklet with new writing on the film and a sleeve with new and original artwork for the title.
Like most sequels, Creepshow 2 isn’t as effective as its predecessor. However, it certainly has its moments and is still far more enjoyable than many other anthologies out there. I still feel compelled to revisit it every now and again for a few late-night chills and chuckles. As anticipated, the new Arrow Video “Limited Edition” 4K Ultra HD release provides an image quality upgrade over the Blu-ray. And for those who haven’t seen them, the bonuses give plenty of fascinating insight into the production. Horror fans, and especially those who appreciate anthologies, should be more than impressed with the release.