Fortress of Horror 01 - The Monster Squad

SebastianBludd wrote: While it seems like it shouldn't work, his performance manages to pull off a character that splits the difference between Indiana Jones and Jack Burton.

That's a perfect way of framing the character.

I too, also enjoy the second Mummy movie.

s/perineal/perennial

LOL

This movie is one of the biggest failures for me when it comes to recommendations from the Fortress. I thought nothing in it worked and don't get the fascination, even though I love all the other films in the 80's kids adventure genre.

I can't believe that I've never even HEARD of this movie. I will absolutely be Netflixing it up soon!

Also, that Abbot & Costello meet Frankenstein flick is one of my all time favorites. Definitely a top 10 of all time movie for me.

engineer Al wrote: Also, that Abbot & Costello meet Frankenstein flick is one of my all time favorites. Definitely a top 10 of all time movie for me.

It is really great. I always loved that there was one last monster in there at the end. I was about to go buy it but happily found that I already do.

I just re-watched this Sunday night. This film makes me so happy. It's has a short run time, gets right to the point and when it's over you feel good.

The opening scene that takes place in Transylvania is like the perfect homage to a Hammer film...updated with some nifty 80s special effects. I love that bat transformation scene with Dracula...then the camera slowly zooms out and he is in the crypt with the bats flying about. Very cool.

The movie certainly has it's flaws. For example, The Mummy and Gillman have almost nothing to really do except die. Some scenes don't really make sense (mostly scenes with Eugene). It's also VERY 80s. None of that makes it a bad film.

The Monster Squad was clearly the project of an Universal and Hammer super-fan who wanted to pay homage to those classics. It's good fun and the film still holds up for me. Anyone expecting something grand or life changing here will surely be disappointed. They don't make family films like this anymore and they certainly don't make horror films like this.

What about that other, other kids adventure movie...The Explorers?

I really like The Explorers. And Flight of the Navigator and The Last Starfighter, too.

Good point, Egg, I know I'm gushing about this movie, but it certainly does have its flaws and it's certainly not going to shatter anyone's world. You gotta love monsters and still be connected to why you loved them when you were young. And remember when this came out, Freddy, Jason, and the slashers ruled horror cinema. This, along with Fright Night (which I also love and will be revisiting soon) set out pay tribute to the classics.