Stan Winston's "Pumpkinhead" ----> (5/10)

[Cyclonus]

Pumpkinhead (1988)

Director: Stan Winston

Cast: Lance Henriksen, Jeff East, John D'Aquino, Kimberly Ross, Joel Hoffman, Cynthia Bain, Kerry Remsen, Florence Schauffler, Matthew Hurley

Screenwriters: Mark Patrick Carducci and Gary Gerani, based on the poem by Ed Justin

Producers: Bill Blake, Howard Smith, Richard C. Weinman

A United Artists release


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Pumpkinhead is a modern-day fairy tale with the traditional trappings: witchcraft, revenge, and a fearsome monster. As directed by special effects guru Stan Winston, it certainly succeeds in the technical areas but falls short as a dramatic story. The idea is interesting; a man calls upon a deadly creature to bring vengeance to a group of teens responsible for his son's death. However, the results are too routine and predictable to hold any real suspense. At times it feels like another one of these horror films of the "dead teenager" subgenre that littered the 1980's. With a little imagination, a few more plot complications could have added more backbone to the material.

Still, I must admit that is one well-crafted monster; we'd expect no less from the guy who brought the Terminator to life, as well as the mother creature in James Cameron's Aliens. Pumpkinhead does not come across as a construct of latex and paint, or as a stuntman in a costume, but as a living, breathing creature. As far as I can discern, there is not a single frame of film in Pumpkinhead that betrays the nature of the creature as a construct. Likewise, the cinematography looks fine, with dark, eerie blue lighting. Unfortunately, the story doesn't match up. It just doesn't work.

Lance Henriksen is quite good as the grief-stricken father. His relationship with his young son is believable, creating the proper motives for his actions after his personal tragedy. The young supporting characters are more realistic than the ones that populate most horror movies. Even the least likable of the bunch at least comes to see the error of his ways after a time. There is an intriguing moral question here: at what point do the results of vengeance by the wronged exceed their grievances? That relevant theme deserves a more satisfying film than this.

5/10.

[countchocula]

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MINOR SPOILERS

Stan Winston must have learned his directorial dexterity through osmosis while working with the likes of James Cameron and John McTiernan. You would never guess that Pumpkinhead was his debut at the helm. We all know and love Stan for his stupendous achievements in the field of special effects (creature effects, in particular), but I don’t think that he had any direct involvement with the titular demon’s design or construction. The mad geniuses behind Pumpkinhead’s impressive frame deserve everlasting approbation. As said by many other fans of this flick, the special effects don’t look like special effects; Pumpkinhead genuinely looks like a living, breathing demon! And what a superb demon he is. Where rural creature features are concerned, this southern-fried fright flick takes the cake! Oh, the rednecks are aplenty. Some of the southern accents feel forced, but Lance Henriksen nails his drawl, and nails his character, Ed Harley. A compelling, commanding performance. He runs the emotional gamut with ease, and can convey a million words with a blunt facial expression. For a child actor, Matthew Hurley transcends the norm as Billy. He doesn’t have much to do, but his character is believable to the extent that you don’t want to see him go. More on that later. It would have been so easy for all of the twentysomethings to be disposable cardboard cutouts, but most of them are sufficiently developed. Cynthia Bain plays our semi-heroine, Tracy, to perfection. I kept trying to figure out which cliché she fell under, but as it turns out, Tracy is a three-dimensional human being! John D’Aquino plays Joel, a rebel on probation. For the first 45 minutes, you’re positive that he’ll remain the stereotypical “bad guy” for the rest of the film, but the script is one step ahead of you. He eventually blooms, and we see other facets of Joel’s personality. Not as much depth is given to Kim or Maggie. Kim is simply “the girlfriend,” and we don’t really get to know Maggie before she flakes out. She’s basically Night of the Living Dead’s Barbara...only worse.

Watching this film today, it’s easy to pin down the influence that it had on Jeepers Creepers. Not only are they both creature features that take place in rustic, isolated settings, but also, they’re almost structured in the exact same way. The first half has the subtlety and methodical pacing of a good thriller from the ‘70s. We warm up to the characters before the villain is introduced, it’s mid-afternoon on a bright, sweltering day, and the bodies haven’t started piling up yet. The last half is reserved for pure monster mayhem! The only difference there is that JC is decidedly campier than Pumpkinhead. This film’s horror is dead serious. There isn’t much gore to speak of, but the death sequences are still hectic and visceral. Perhaps the best of the lot is Joel’s rifle impalement. The effects are so convincing, that you’re not so sure that they used effects. Poor guy. Anyway, the fervent visuals are masterfully shot. The camera goes through mood swings, and the style always matches the tone of the scene at hand. When Ed is spending time with his son, the imagery is relaxed and pretty much generic (not in a negative way). When Pumpkinhead is toying with his victims and Ed can feel their pain, we get moody reds and blues, gusts of wind, and cloud lightning. Where these impromptu thunderstorms are coming from is anyone’s guess, but they successfully augment the film’s tense, desolate atmosphere. The gloomier moments wouldn’t be nearly as powerful if this flick didn’t have an emotional backbone. We empathize with Ed. We feel all of his grief, anger, and confusion. When Billy’s body goes limp, a sense of tragedy punches you in the gut. An effective moment of earnest drama that contrasts well with the spooky stuff to come.

I love this movie. A couple of the characters didn’t develop properly, but Pumpkinhead delivers in all other areas of filmmaking. I won’t take too much time discussing the abysmal disgrace that is Pumpkinhead II: Blood Wings, but let’s just say that it never should’ve happened. Let’s also say that I resent its existence. I hope the third installment picks up steam soon so that I can wash the bad taste out of my mouth left by Blood Wings. I’ve discussed it too much already. It doesn’t call for that much attention. Argh, now I’m all bent out of shape!

My rating-4.5/5

[The Claw]

You know. I havent seen this movie since I was like 7 or 8. Long time eh? I remember thinking it was rather unentertaining and unintresting and i didnt like it. I'll rent it again sometime but I dont expect much. Oh and too show that i'm completely insane. I really enjoyed what I saw of Pumpkinhead II: Blood Wings. I think I missed the first 10-15 mintues. Why is that movie so hated? I dont get it.

[Gluttony]

I don't see why it can be considered hated. the majority that I talk to liked the movie and so did I.

I give it a 4/5

[Johnny582]

5/5 pumpikinhead the dusty drunken 80s satanic pumpkin patch extragivanza:p

[countchocula]

Originally posted by The Claw
I really enjoyed what I saw of Pumpkinhead II: Blood Wings. I think I missed the first 10-15 mintues. Why is that movie so hated? I dont get it.

It tried to pass itself off as legitimate, but the acting, effects, dialogue, and characters were all ridiculous. It made a mockery out of Pumpkinhead, which incidentally, did look like a special effect in Blood Wings. It can be enjoyed on a b-movie level, though. It has its fair share of blood and boobs (Linnea Quigley's boobs, no less).

[Jason Voorhees]

Originally posted by countchocula
It made a mockery out of Pumpkinhead...

Yep. It's one of those sequels that saw fit to rewrite the original story. You know the deal. In PH2, Pumpkinhead was a Jason-like child who eventually turned into the eponymous demon. Although, my memory of the film is pretty fuzzy, so that may be somewhat inaccurate. In any case, it was a ridiculous development.

I actually did like PH2, but the original is infinitely superior.

[countchocula]

The sequel's prologue is actually somewhat effective, but once we fast-forward to the present day, there's no one to warm up to. An unlikable cast all around.

[Gluttony]

likeable on a B movie level? That is all you need anyway. I am sure that if I can find this "abomintation" as it were, I will have a lot of fun.

besides, Quigley's boobs are waht makes most of the movies she is in classic.

Except for Sorority Girls in the Slime Bowl-o-Rama...

Which ironically, has the coolest name.

[countchocula]

I should have said that some of it can be enjoyed on a b-movie level. The excessive gore is a plus, as is Quigley's brief, yet arousing sex scene, but that's it. Blood Wings is mediocre at best. Rent with caution.

[The Troll Man]

Wasn't there an old PC game which used footage from Blood Wings?

That was pretty horrific if I remember...

[EVILxxx]

pumpkin head is, in my opinion, one of the greatest horror movies. not only to we get a kick ass looking monster but he has an incredible personality, hes always playing with his dead victims or giving a smirk. plus the acting is great, the story is awesome and its a serious movie. no unrealistic gore or things of that sort. great movie 4.8/5

[Mr. Movie Man]

It's not great, but it is a good time popcorn flick with a great looking monster.

[Cronos]

i love Pumpkinhead, i think the main reason is because the actual demon kicks soo much ass and looks great, its definitely one of the best film creatures ever IMO. the acting is also pretty damn good, Henrikson is excellent and gives another great performance as the desperate father out for revenge. the other cast memebers are also pretty good although do at some times display poor acting skills. there are a lot of great scenes and images throughout the film thanks to some great direction and cinematography, theres also some decent gore

9/10

[poopontheshoes7]

Awesome awesome awesome! PumpkinHead is my favorite movie monster ever! Next to Bruce of course.

[X-Nightcrawler]

I love Pumpkinhead (the first, the sequel is as good as injecting ozone into your veins), it was a really fun movie, the monster looked great.

[Jason13thh]

I have it on VHS and I think it's a pretty good slasher, yes I say slasher because instead of a human killer you have a monster.

This movie is fun, good bodycount, good cast (Henriksen rules) oustanding cinematography by Bazelli (King Of N-Y, Body Snatchers) and the monster's look is totally efficient.

Overall: 7/10

[PackBacker]

"Pumpkinhead" 1989

Directed by: Stan Winston
Written by: Mark Patrick Carducci, Gary Gerani
Starring: Lance Henriksen ("Aliens"), Cynthia Bain, Brian Bemer, Tom Woodruff Jr., Jeff East, John D'Aquino, Kimberly Ross

Tagline: For each of man's evils a special demon exists...

Rating: 8/10



Plot: A young child is killed in a motorcycle accident. The father, seeking vengeance, investigates the backwoods rumors of a woman with special powers. With her help, Pumpkinhead is summoned forth to kill all those who were involved in young Billy's death.

Review: Stan Winston's directorial debut is an often overlooked film that has garnered cult classic status. Winston crafts an eerie monster film with a moral message (and one incredible creature!).

"Pumpkinhead" centers around the theme of revenge. A child is killed and the father seeks revenge. Instead of killing the party responsible for the death himself, he (with some help) conjures up a supernatural force that is seemingly unstoppable. The film drips with atmosphere and harkens images of fairy tales.

The film starts slow and we get something missing in most horror films- emotional development. We come to care about the Harley family. One can instantly empathize when Billy meets up with a dirt bike on his head. The gut-wrenching horror of it is pain-stakingly portrayed and serves as a believable impetus for the carnage that ensues.

Previous reviews are spot on about the dual nature of the film. The first half is a slow build to establish why we should give a damn about our characters. The second half is almost non-stop creature carnage as the teenagers are dispatched by one foul demon.

The acting in this film runs the gamut from average to exceptional. Henriksen is of particular note as the grieving father. His emotional performance is outstanding. Bremer also gives a heckuva performance as the country boy. The teenagers/twenty-somethings are fairly interchangeable but the good news is that no one is downright horrible.

I often have problems with films set in the South due to the problems in portraying the accent(s) correctly. This film feels like its from right next door. The accents come off without a hitch. The settings look realistic and we don't get a bunch of ridiculous stereotypes that just piss me off.

Pumpkinhead himself looks phenomenal. He basically is a member of the cast. You don't get the fake CGI feel. You don't see puppet strings. You don't (except in one teeny, tiny spot) notice the rubber suit. Pumpkinhead has a gritty, visceral feel to him and exudes evil in massive waves. I wish more filmmakers would take lessons from this film.

Quite possibly the most outstanding feature of this film is the lighting. Throughout most of the night scenes we get an eerie blue cast to the night sky. It's mixed in with a slight fogginess that gives everything a surreal, creepy feel. The scene at the abandoned church explemifies this feeling. We also get some tremendous red filter work when the psychic link between Pumpkinhead and Harley comes into play.

"Pumpkinhead" exceeds the normal creature feature film with a solid screenplay, a few superb performances, the establishment of mood, and one hellacious monster. It never falls into the usual trappings of similar films and gives viewers an incredible cinematic experience.

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What to watch for: Bit roles by Dick Warlock (aka The Shape from Halloween 2), Buck Flower (horror movie bit icon), and even Mayim Bialik (TV's Blossom) as a sack wearing hillbilly child.

[wolfie]

I often recommend this movie to my friends. I kind of view it as a "classic" because though the plot is simple and straightforward, it keeps you interested all the way until the end because of the character development. To me strong characters are important to any story. If I can relate to or sympathize with the characters I am willing to go in whatever direction the plot takes me. I also think that most of the movies in this genre that have come after it have borrowed from Pumpkinhead.

This film has one of my favorite actors, Lance Henriksen in it. He gives an excellent performance as the grieving, revenge seeking father. He has such expressive eyes that one look speaks volumes. His character is believeable and tragic. I recommend everyone to check out more of his films.

[Horrorific]

The first (and only) time I saw this movie, I was like 13 or 14 yr-old. I have to say it was not given its proper chance. We (friends and I) were on a horror watch spree. We already sat through 2 movies, so when it was PH's turn, all of us were pretty much "running on fumes" so we fast forwarded through the first half then turned it of.

It's a pitty that I can't see it again now since it's not available in my area anymore.

[ERIN_LoJ]

Pumpkinhead's a great film and Henriksen is a blessing to horror fans. The guy is great and the emotion portrayed here was very strong. Pumpkinhead is definately a cool villain who it's hard to tire of. Bloodwings WAS poorly acted and executed, which is a shame as it DID have possible potential