Night of the Creeps [Director's Cut] [Blu-ray]

MOVIE DESCRIPTION:

Virtually unnoticed during its brief theatrical run, this wildly entertaining horror-comedy achieved healthy cult status following its home-video and cable TV releases. The directorial debut of Fred Dekker (writer of the successful horror parody House), this low-budget effort throws alien monsters, axe-wielding killers, flesh-eating zombies, nudity, and (gasp!) drunken fraternity shenanigans into a blender, spiced with witty one-liners and references to dozens of horror classics (and anti-classics). The result is a satisfying treat that will tickle the tastebuds of horror fans. The film's nominal protagonists are a pair of randy fraternity pledges (Jason Lively, Steve Marshall) who open a literal can of worms when they steal a corpse from the campus medical facility and release a horde of space-leeches, which proceed to infest the bodies of everyone in sight. The host bodies subsequently become homicidal zombies with a penchant for popping in on unsuspecting (and undressing) sorority girls. The town's only hope (such as it is) seems to be a hard-boiled ex-cop (Tom Atkins), who has uncovered the secret link between the zombie invasion and a 30-year-old axe-murder case... and who's also several sandwiches shy of a picnic. Dekker keeps things moving at a brisk pace thanks to some outrageous set-pieces (some of which happen so quickly they'll have viewers reaching for the pause button) and clever dialogue, particularly for Atkins ("Girls, the good news is your dates are here; the bad news is, they're dead"), who dives into his crusty character with relish. ~ Cavett Binion, All Movie Guide

DVD FEATURES:

• Region: ABC
• Number of Discs: 1
• Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 (Theatre Wide Screen)
• Audio: DTS-HD Master Audio
• Screen: Enhanced Wide Screen Letterbox for 16x9 TV, Color
• Subtitle: English
• Features:
  • Commentary with writer / director Fred Dekkar
  • Cast commentary
  • Original theatrical ending
  • Deleted scenes
  • Birth of the Creeps
  • Cast of the Creeps
  • Creating the Creeps
  • Escape of the Creeps
  • Legend of the Creeps
  • Tom Atkins: Man of Action
  • Trivia Track
  • Original theatrical trailer

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

• Cast:

  
       Jason Lively - Chris Romero
       Steve Marshall - J.C. Hooper
       Jill Whitlow - Cynthia Cronenberg
       Tom Atkins - Ray Cameron
       Wally Taylor - Detective Landis

• Director:

  Fred Dekker

• Producer:

  William Finnegan, Charles Gordon

• Screenwriter:

  Fred Dekker

• Cinematographer:

  Robert New

• Composer (Music Score):

  Barry de Vorzon

• Editor:

  Michael Knue

• Production Designer:

  George Costello, Donna Smith

• Art Director:

  Maria Rebman Caso

• Associate Producer:

  Donna Smith

REVIEWS:

• An under-appreciated gem of campy sci-fi-tinged horror, this effort from director Fred Dekker (The Monster Squad) has everything from a busload of frat-guy zombies to an undead killer puppy to an amusing death by lawnmower rampage that foreshadows Peter Jackson's over-the-top finale to Dead Alive. Not only does director/screenwriter Dekker keep things moving along nicely by offering some exciting and bloody thrills, but he also makes some interesting choices with the portrayal of his main characters as well. In addition to offering a social misfit protagonist who remains uninterested in the usual college party scene, the inclusion of a handicapped sidekick who isn't defined by his disability shows a director unafraid to offer real, identifiably human characters; a refreshing change of pace compared to the all-too-perfect teens that populated horror films throughout the following decade. It's obvious that Dekker has a healthy sense of humor in his approach as well. Along with character names that offer sly nods to numerous famous horror directors, Dekker also includes a beyond hard-boiled police detective hilariously cocksure swagger provides much of the film's effective gallows humor. Sure Dekker includes such college horror film mainstays as the obligatory love interest and the spoiled jock who gets his rocks off humiliating the "nerds," but once he turns up the heat during the final act, cinematic clichés take a backseat to fast-paced zombie head-bursting fun. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
• An under-appreciated gem of campy {\sci-fi}-tinged {\horror}, this effort from director {$Fred Dekker} ({#The Monster Squad}) has everything from a busload of frat-guy zombies to an undead killer puppy to an amusing death by lawnmower rampage that foreshadows {$Peter Jackson}'s over-the-top finale to {#Dead Alive}. Not only does director/screenwriter {$Dekker} keep things moving along nicely by offering some exciting and bloody thrills, but he also makes some interesting choices with the portrayal of his main characters as well. In addition to offering a social misfit protagonist who remains uninterested in the usual college party scene, the inclusion of a handicapped sidekick who isn't defined by his disability shows a director unafraid to offer real, identifiably human characters; a refreshing change of pace compared to the all-too-perfect teens that populated {\horror} films throughout the following decade. It's obvious that {$Dekker} has a healthy sense of humor in his approach as well. Along with character names that offer sly nods to numerous famous {\horror} directors, {$Dekker} also includes a beyond hard-boiled police detective hilariously cocksure swagger provides much of the film's effective gallows humor. Sure {$Dekker} includes such college {\horror} film mainstays as the obligatory love interest and the spoiled jock who gets his rocks off humiliating the "nerds," but once he turns up the heat during the final act, cinematic clichés take a backseat to fast-paced zombie head-bursting fun. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide

CUSTOMER REVIEWS: