Film Review: CreepShow (1982)

Review By: Chris Ward

Released: November 12,1982

Director: George A. Romero Writer: Stephen King (screenplay)

'Creepshow' is a movie consisting of five short stories, written by Stephen King, all produced in a style inspired by the classic 1950's EC Comics. Directed by George A.Romero (Night of the Living Dead) and starring a cast of then largely unknowns - most of whom are now household names - 'Creepshow' offers an interesting glimpse into what great minds can do when they work together.

The first story is called 'Father's Day' and is probably the weakest of the five. A young Ed Harris and assorted relatives get together to remember a family member who was murdered by his long suffering daughter. Only problem is that on this Father's day, dad has come back to join the party!

'The Lonesome Death of Jordy Verrill' stars King himself as the character of the title, who is a backwoods farmer who discovers a meteorite in his back yard. After touching it, though, he discovers that some things are best left alone.
The third story, 'Something To Tide You Over', stars Leslie Nielsen as a jealous husband who has discovered his wife's affair with a pre-Cheers Ted Danson. To punish the pair of them he takes them to a secluded beach, and offers his own brand of menacing revenge.
The fourth, and best, story is called 'The Crate', and involves Hal Holbrook as a hen-pecked husband who lures his bitchy wife (the still gorgeous Adrienne Barbeau) to his college where something has been discovered living in a crate under the stairs.
The final story, 'They're Creeping Up On You', stars E.G. Marshall as a grumpy millionaire living in a germ-free apartment block, but unfortunately, nobody told the army of cockroaches that keep invading his room.

All in all, 'Creepshow' is a fun movie that never takes itself seriously. The makers have enough knowledge and passion about the comics on which it is based that they never cross the line into parody, or being over the top for the sake of it. That being said, hardcore gore fans won't find a lot here to satisfy their craving.
The acting by all the cast is spot on. Leslie Nielsen plays his part with relished menace, whist Hal Holbrook and Adrienne Barbeau are excellent as the warring married couple. E.G. Marshall is also in fine form as the loathsome Upson Pratt.
Although it shows it's age slightly, this is still a great movie, and with not a lot else in the last thirty years to compare it to, it pretty much stands alone in the 'Horror/Comic' genre. Recommended.