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- Blu-ray: Night of the Creeps
- Rating: Unrated
- Starring: Tom Atkins, Todd Bryant, Elizabeth Cox, Tex Donaldson, Jason Lively, Steve Marshall, Jill Whitlow, Elizabeth Alda, Bruce Solomon
- Written By: Fred Dekker
- Directed By: Fred Dekker
- Distributor: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
- Original Year of Release: Theatrical (1986), Blu-ray (2009)
- Extras: Multiple Commentaries, Deleted Scenes, Alternate Ending, Trivia Track, Original Theatrical Trailer, 6 Behind-the-Scenes Featurettes: Birth of the Creeps, Cast of the Creeps, Creating the Creeps, Escape of the Creeps, Legend of the Creeps, Tom Atkins: Man of Action, Footage from the June 2009 cast reunion
- Series:
Night of the Creeps Blu-ray Review
Thrill Me, Blu-ray! By
Robert T. Trate
October 28, 2009
Fred Dekker’s cult classic, NIGHT OF THE CREEPS, finally arrives on Blu-ray
© Sony Pictures
It has been a long time coming but finally Night of Creeps has arrived on Blu-ray and DVD after years of being out of circulation. Old VHS tapes, Laser discs and pirated copies burned to DVD had been the only way anyone could see the cult film, Night of the Creeps. The reason why has never been fully disclosed. Night of the Creeps in the mean time has gone from a quirky sci-fi horror film of the day to achieving cult status and the demand for the film has only intensified. Many younger fans of the genre have missed out on Fred Dekker’s directorial debut. With the recent celebration of Dekker’s Monster Squad finally on DVD many fans, this one included, have sought out his other work. The wait is now over.
In 1959 an alien capsule falls to Earth. From this capsule emerges alien parasites that create a zombie like state of their host as they feed on the brain. Eventually they will burst free and begin this cycle all over again. Thankfully a rookie cop stops the first of these parasite infected zombies but not before witnessing the brutal death of his ex-lover. Jump twenty-seven years later and two college freshmen unwittingly release this infected zombie and the night of the creeps finally begins.
The film could be considered a modern classic by fans of the genre. It is a great mishmash of horror and science fiction films that pay homage to everything from plots, themes and to those that have created them. Dekker’s (who also wrote the script) greatest tribute is in the names of the characters. Landis, Cameron, Raimi and Corman are just a few names that appear in the film. It is interesting to note that some may scoff at this but at the time and even today all these names are still not normally household names.
The Blu-ray Experience:
As mentioned before Night of Creeps has long been out of circulation. The Sci-Fi Channel once ran it and that TV version had been the only way I had ever seen it. Interestingly enough the Blu-ray is Dekker’s director’s cut and erases several of the more explanatory scenes from the film. The how, why and reasoning for characters and creatures lose a little bit here. If one has never seen these scenes fear not they are in included on the Blu-ray.
Night of the Creeps is presented in 1080p High Definition with a screen ratio of 1.85:1. The sound is in 5.1 DTS-HD and the bonus features are mix of High Definition and Standard Definition. This makes Night of the Creeps look pristine. If it weren’t for the age of the actors the film could be seen as taking place in the eighties instead of filmed during the eighties. There are many now visible jokes in the film that have been restored with the picture quality. The best joke or perhaps reference is one to Dekker’s next film, The Monster Squad. Look for it in the bathroom scene with J.C. (Steve Marshall).
The film is packed with commentaries by Dekker and the cast. A great treat for any fan new or old of the film. There is a trivia track that is packed with plenty of insight and history that actually pertains to the film. It is strange that with all that was put into this Blu-ray it appears as subtitles instead of making it have a lot more pizzazz. The trivia track is also your best source of knowledge for the references and the difference between the TV version and the director’s cut.
With multiple versions of the film available, in one format or another, one has to wonder why the TV version wasn’t included. Blu-rays boast more memory capacity then a normal DVD. This is great for the picture quality but does the movie and all these special features really fill the Blu-ray? Having the TV version on here is a must and the only thing really lacking from the disc. Thankfully the deleted scenes are included and the original theatrical ending. Dekker’s director’s cut ending is the one that was scripted. It merely changes who gets the final scare.
Night of the Creeps is far from perfect but that is indeed part of its charm. There is little reasoning for several moments in the film. Why do we see the aliens in 1959 in full color but then see Earth of 1959 in black and white? Why does it take the aliens almost thirty years to find the creeps? These are just a few things but this type of movie is supposed to be fun and tongue in cheek anyway. If you are going to scrutinize this type of film you have already missed the point. Just go with it.
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Night of the creeps....talk about a blast from the past. lol I remember seeing this when I was around 16 me and my buddies were laughing our a$$ off.
I'll never pay to add this to my collection but I would like to see the blu ray version once.
This was on fearnet on the cable channel earlier this year don't know if they still have that channel or not.