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The Monster Squad follows a group of kids who band together in order to stop Count Dracula (Duncan Regehr) and his fellow monsters from taking over the world. This film was strongly recommended by my friend Josh, and as I was watching it, I couldn't stop thinking "how the hell did this film escape me in the 80s??", cause it was tailor-made to my tastes and sensibilities back then.
The film is a bit of a send-up, or homage, to the classic Universal monster films from the 1930s, as it features versions of their characters like Dracula, the Wolfman (Jon Gries), the Mummy (Michael Reid MacKay), the "Gill Man" (Tom Woodruff, Jr.), and Frankenstein's monster (Tom Noonan). Their goal is to retrieve a mysterious amulet that would allow them to somehow take over the world.
Fortunately for the world, a group of precocious teenagers who go by the name of Monster Squad decide to take matters in their own hands and stop the monsters. The film takes a humorous approach to the plot, similar to The Goonies, which results in a very breezy and entertaining experience. Most of the kids aren't necessarily great actors, but they're all very likable and easy to root for. That said, Regehr is very good as Dracula.
There are some things that haven't aged that well. There are some homophobic slurs in the first half, and a "peeping tom" situation that is repeatedly used as a butt of jokes. Also, although the makeup and practical effects are decent, other special effects aren't as good. Finally, there are some logistic issues about the conclusion that might feel a bit too convenient, but I won't deny the fact that I had a blast with this.
Grade:
THE MONSTER SQUAD
(1987, Dekker)
A film from the 1980s
-- recommended by Josh (from Your Next Favorite Movie Podcast) --
(1987, Dekker)
A film from the 1980s
-- recommended by Josh (from Your Next Favorite Movie Podcast) --
"Didn't you hear a word I said? These guys are dead, get a clue! Something's out there and it's killing people! And if it's monsters, nobody's going to do a thing about it except us!"
The Monster Squad follows a group of kids who band together in order to stop Count Dracula (Duncan Regehr) and his fellow monsters from taking over the world. This film was strongly recommended by my friend Josh, and as I was watching it, I couldn't stop thinking "how the hell did this film escape me in the 80s??", cause it was tailor-made to my tastes and sensibilities back then.
The film is a bit of a send-up, or homage, to the classic Universal monster films from the 1930s, as it features versions of their characters like Dracula, the Wolfman (Jon Gries), the Mummy (Michael Reid MacKay), the "Gill Man" (Tom Woodruff, Jr.), and Frankenstein's monster (Tom Noonan). Their goal is to retrieve a mysterious amulet that would allow them to somehow take over the world.
Fortunately for the world, a group of precocious teenagers who go by the name of Monster Squad decide to take matters in their own hands and stop the monsters. The film takes a humorous approach to the plot, similar to The Goonies, which results in a very breezy and entertaining experience. Most of the kids aren't necessarily great actors, but they're all very likable and easy to root for. That said, Regehr is very good as Dracula.
There are some things that haven't aged that well. There are some homophobic slurs in the first half, and a "peeping tom" situation that is repeatedly used as a butt of jokes. Also, although the makeup and practical effects are decent, other special effects aren't as good. Finally, there are some logistic issues about the conclusion that might feel a bit too convenient, but I won't deny the fact that I had a blast with this.
Grade: