I mean, there's plenty to say about this film (here's an actual review at Radiator Heaven), and it's probably one of Burton's better films since SLEEPY HOLLOW (and probably the most fun he's had in years, too), but lets get straight to the important matter at hand: GHOULIES II.
Yes, that masterpiece of GREMLINS-inspired terror includes a scene at a carnival whereupon a deserving villain meets his "end" atop a toilet at the hands of the Ghoulies. (That's sort of their trademark). Then, in FRANKENWEENIE, another deserving villain at a carnival (the mayor, voiced by Martin Short) has a run-in with some mutant, electrified Sea Monkeys who give him a similar shock. For comparison (the FRANKENWEENIE frames are in black and white):
This is a proud moment for me, and for GHOULIES II fans everywhere. Also, you should all see the original short film of FRANKENWEENIE '84 (included on recent DVD & Blu-ray releases of NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS and FRANKENWEENIE '12), which is a helluva lot of fun, and co-stars Shelley Duvall, Paul Bartel, Daniel Stern, and the kid is played by Barret "Daryl in D.A.R.Y.L. and Bastian in NEVERENDING STORY" Oliver.
It also occurs to me that there should be a horror omnibus flick about 1960s suburban mobs hunting down campy "monsters," and segments should be directed by Tim Burton, John Waters, and Joe Dante. Get on it, guys!
Thanks for the shout-out, my friend! Wow, I didn't catch that GHOULIES reference at all! Of course, it has been some time since I've seen either one. Good observation.
ReplyDeleteNice to see Burton recapturing some of the old magic that made his early films so fresh and exciting to watch.
Definitely nice to see Burton having fun. And the brief tangent into GAMERA territory here just made me hope that one day he will revisit his scrapped (because of proximity to JURASSIC PARK) DINOSAURS ATTACK! movie.
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