Happy Halloween! Creepshow 2 Brings Back The Horror Anthology With Three More Twisted Tales. This 1987 Sequel Delivers Plenty Of Creepy Fun, Memorable Monsters, And The Kind Of Old School Horror That Makes For A Great Late Night Movie.

Creepshow 2 Brings Back The Horror Anthology With Three More Twisted Tales. This 1987 Sequel Delivers Plenty Of Creepy Fun, Memorable Monsters, And The Kind Of Old School Horror That Makes For A Great Late Night Movie.

Creepshow 2 was released in 1987 as a follow up to the original 1982 horror anthology. While it does not quite reach the same heights as the first movie, it is still a very entertaining collection of horror stories. Directed by Michael Gornick and written by George A. Romero, the film brings back the comic book horror atmosphere that made the original such a memorable experience.

The setup is once again built around the fictional horror comic book Creepshow. The movie uses animated sequences and comic book imagery to connect its three stories, giving the whole production the feeling of watching a collection of twisted tales come to life. It is a simple concept, but one that works extremely well for this kind of horror movie.

The first story is called Old Chief Wood’nhead, and it is probably my favorite of the three. It stars George Kennedy and Dorothy Lamour as an elderly couple who run a small general store in a quiet town. They are well liked by the local Native American community, and they have a wooden cigar store Indian statue standing outside their business.

When a group of local troublemakers rob the store and brutally murder the couple, the wooden statue somehow comes to life. What follows is a supernatural revenge story with a pretty satisfying payoff. The idea is ridiculous in the best possible way, and the practical effects give the story a creepy old school feel.

The second segment is The Raft, based on a short story by Stephen King. This one follows four college students who decide to spend an afternoon swimming out to a wooden raft in the middle of an isolated lake. Their relaxing day quickly turns into a nightmare when they discover a strange, living blob of black slime floating in the water.

The students soon realize that getting back to shore is not going to be easy. The creature is hungry, and the raft offers very little protection. With nowhere to run and no safe way to escape, the situation becomes increasingly tense. It is a straightforward monster story, but the isolated setting and simple premise make it surprisingly effective.

The Raft is probably the most memorable segment in the movie for its suspense and gruesome moments. It does a good job of building tension without needing a complicated backstory or a bunch of unnecessary explanations. Sometimes the best horror ideas are the simplest ones, and this is a perfect example.

The final story is The Hitchhiker, starring Lois Chiles as Annie Lansing, a wealthy woman who is having an affair and trying to get home before her husband discovers what she has been doing. After accidentally hitting a hitchhiker with her car, she panics and drives away. Unfortunately for Annie, the hitchhiker refuses to stay dead.

The dead man keeps appearing along the road, becoming more battered and gruesome every time she encounters him. Annie’s attempts to escape only make the situation worse, leading to a darkly humorous and increasingly disturbing conclusion. It is a fun final story that fits perfectly with the movie’s twisted sense of humor.

The cast does a nice job throughout the anthology. George Kennedy and Dorothy Lamour bring some heart to the first segment, while the young cast in The Raft includes Paul Satterfield, Jeremy Green, Daniel Beer, and Page Hannah. Lois Chiles carries The Hitchhiker, giving the final story a strong central performance as her character slowly loses control of the situation.

One of the things I enjoy about Creepshow 2 is that it does not try to make everything overly complicated. Each story gets right to the point, introduces an unusual horror situation, and delivers a payoff. The movie understands that a good anthology should keep things moving. By the time one story ends, another strange nightmare is already waiting around the corner.

Michael Gornick had worked as a cinematographer on the original Creepshow, and his experience with that film helps maintain a similar visual style. George A. Romero’s writing also gives the sequel a connection to the original movie. Stephen King contributed the stories behind The Raft and The Hitchhiker, while Romero adapted the material for the screen. That combination of talent makes for a pretty solid horror package.

The practical effects are another big reason this movie works. There is something about the look and feel of eighties horror that is difficult to duplicate. The creatures, makeup, and gruesome effects have a physical quality that makes the scares more entertaining. The movie also has plenty of dark comedy, which keeps it from becoming too serious or depressing.

I also like how the comic book presentation gives the film its own personality. The colorful animation, dramatic transitions, and exaggerated horror moments make it feel like a living horror comic. It is a style that separates Creepshow from the typical slasher movies of the decade. Instead of following one killer or one group of victims, we get three completely different stories with their own characters and monsters.

Of course, not every segment is equally strong, and I would put the original Creepshow ahead of this sequel. Having only three stories instead of five also makes this installment feel a little shorter on variety. Still, there is enough good material here to make it worthwhile, and I would much rather watch a fun anthology like this than another generic slasher sequel.

Overall, Creepshow 2 is a good horror film and a worthy follow up to the original. It has three entertaining stories, memorable practical effects, a great comic book atmosphere, and just the right amount of twisted humor. The Raft and The Hitchhiker are especially fun, while Old Chief Wood’nhead gives the movie a satisfying revenge tale to get things started. It may not be quite as good as the first movie, but it is still a classic piece of eighties horror entertainment that is well worth revisiting.