by B.W. Harold

Created on: August 30, 2010   Last Updated: June 02, 2011

Creepshow 2

Directed by: Micheal Gornick

Written by: Stephen King and George Romero

 Cast: Domenik John, Tom Savini, George Kennedy, Dorothy Lamour, Daniel Beer, Tom Wright, Lois Chiles, and Stephen King

 Slightly slicker than its 1982 counterpart, “Creepshow 2” is a fun roller coaster ride. Featuring three segments, the film pairs two of the horror genre's elite. Stephen King and the legendary George Romero. Released in 1987, the decade's sensibility is obvious in the story selections. Presented in the classic “Creepshow” format, each story begins as an animated splash page coupled with the spooky voice talent of Tom Savini (The Creep.) Then the story settles into live action.

Old Chief Woodenhead

An elderly couple contemplates giving up the old family store; then the local tribe leader offers collateral to pay off their bill. When young Sam Whitemoon, the chief's nephew decides to steal it back and run off to Hollywood, the story's namesake starts down the war path. A great campfire story.

The Raft

 Four teenagers get the bright idea to go swimming around Halloween. When they get to the lake, they climb aboard an abandoned raft. As soon as they arrive a mysterious “oil slick” appears. As the day goes on, the teens learn why there is a “No Swimming” sign posted. A classic “Creepshow” tale.

The Hitchhiker

 True to format, “Creepshow” keeps it's most disturbing segment for last. A wealthy attorney's wife is rushing home from a rendezvous with her gigolo. On the way home she practices her lie. In a moment of distraction she strikes a hitchhiker. Terrified of the complications the event would cause for her and her marriage, she flees the scene. She is convinced she can put the whole thing behind her, when the Hitchhiker proves to her, she can't.

Like most horror anthology films, there is a “wrapper.” A wrapper is a story that binds the whole together. In “Creepshow” the original, it was a hard nosed father paying for the mistake of throwing away his son's “Creepshow” comic book. The second “Creepshow” wrapper offers a reason for why bullies should be careful who they target.

“Creepshow 2” is much more memorable as far as the story quality. The focus is more on scares than black humor. But, the interaction with the Creep is meant to be fun and tongue in cheek. Although more effects driven then the original, “Creepshow 2” still has the sadistic core that made the first one work. Recommended.

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