Creepshow 2

Okay here we are again, in Stephen King’s world of horror short stories. The only real let down is that George A. Romero did not return as the director. “Creepshow 2” is not a terrible movie but should be viewed with reservations. My biggest reservation is that it only contains three stories! The original had five plus a fairly good wrap around. This installment seems forced, uninspired if you will.

A wrap around story begins when The Creep (played by returning horror master Tom Savini) delivers the comic book to an anxious boy names Billy (Same name, different kid from the first film). As the vignettes proceed the Creep character is animated and cracks jokes that don’t come across very well. Although the wrap around story this time is not as good, it is animated very well. I appreciate the vision of the writers and directors trying to capture the essence of the classic horror comics, however something is left to be desired in the transition from page to screen. The first movie avoided this by having the vignettes segue into one another by the animated turning of pages. Perhaps that would have been best here as well.

As for the stories, we begin with “Ol’ Chief Woodenhead” A tale where a wooden Indian comes to life to exact revenge on some local thugs who murdered his beloved owners. George Kennedy is a great actor and is one saving grace for this portion as he plays an excellent country general store owner.

The second tale is much better. Adapted from yet another of Stephen King’s short stories, “The Raft” is about four teenagers visiting a secluded lake for some late fall fun. Unfortunately for them, there is already something in the lake waiting for it’s own brand of fun. A large, oily-like black substance moves of it’s own volition and begins to stalk the teens on the raft. One by one, they are consumed in a painful burning envelope of living deadly oil. The end of this tale has a great little surprise for any optimistic viewers.

The last story is the best of the three, mainly because it is the longest and has a pretty good build up of the main character. “The Hitchhiker” is about a cheating wife who accidently runs over a hitchhiker. More worried about herself and the ramifications of having to explain her actions, she hastily leaves the scene. As proof that one should never leave the scene of an accident, the hitcher (who is horribly mangled) re-appears down the road. “Thanks for the ride lady!" She drives away but he keeps coming back!! Don’t miss the cameo by Stephen King as a passing truck driver.

Not a spectacular sequel to say the least. It does have it’s moments, but is for hardcore fans only.

• Today's Cure song is "Killing An Arab" from the Boys Don't Cry CD -(1979) A somewhat controversial song until you realize that Robert was commeting on a book he read. He was trying to capture the essence of the book titled L'Étranger (The Stranger)
  by Albert Camus(which is the story of an ordinary man unwittingly drawn into a senseless murder on an Algerian beach)

"I'm alive. I'm Dead. I'm the stranger. Killing an Arab."

CJ