Pumpkinhead (1988)
Genre: Horror
Duration: 86 minuten
Country:
United States
Directed by: Stan Winston
Stars: Lance Henriksen, Cynthia Bain and Jeff East
IMDb score:
6,2 (32.306)
Releasedate: 9 June 1988
Pumpkinhead plot
"For each of man's evils a special demon exists..."
Ed Harley (Lance Henriksen) learns that his son Billy has been killed by a group of teenagers who accidentally run over him on a motorcycle. Despite the fact that it was an accident, Ed wants revenge! Ed meets a strange old witch who promises to make sure he can get his revenge. He must dig up the remains of an ancient monster and bring it to the witch. She brings the monster, Pumpkinhead, to life and the terrifying beast devours all the teenagers in the neighborhood. However, Ed feels remorse and does everything in his power to destroy the beast forever and ever.
Actors and actresses
Ed Harley
Chris
Joel
Tracy
Maggie
Tom Harley
Ellie Harley
Eddie Harley
Clayton Heller
Hessie
Reviews & comments
Chainsaw
-
- 8845 messages
- 3711 votes
This directorial debut by Stan Winston remains a pleasant monster flick. The name will make many people think of Jack Pumpkinhead, but this monster has nothing to do with that; he is more like a cousin of the Xenomorph. The design is cool and with someone like Stan Winston at the helm you can also assume that the effects around this monster are completely fine. And they are.
But Pumpkinhead has more to offer. The script is quite simple and a lot of time is spent on the set-up. Thanks to a sympathetic Lance Hendriksen and his endearing son Matthew Hurley, this works quite well. However, the teenagers are all interchangeable. When the film finally shifts into the next gear, it suddenly goes very fast. Pumpkinhead appears and doesn't let any grass grow under his feet; one by one the teenagers are confronted with the monster. This results in a series of amusing scenes, some sequences are very effective and the effects are - as mentioned - noteworthy. But not all shots are gems; for example, the grading is sometimes very extreme, many shots are suddenly completely red or blue. In addition, the second part of the film seems rather rushed. A bit more tension and a bit more monster would not have bothered me. Nevertheless, the short playing time ensures that you can easily watch a film like this again.
A generous 3.5 stars.
Translated from Dutch · View original
Collins
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- 7660 messages
- 4561 votes
Fantastic setting and atmosphere in this monster movie with a fairly simple story.
The story takes place in a region with dilapidated houses and farms that are far removed from each other and from civilization. Desolation and isolation. The landscape is forested with bare trees. The wind blows dust and sand. In short, it is a wonderful gloom that worms its way into the story and is visible in almost every scene.
The story is, as said, simple. The familiar pattern. A group of friends arrives in a deserted community and causes trouble. The trouble goes wrong and they set up a monster that also causes trouble. That's it. Not important anymore. It's about the atmosphere, the appearance, the effects, the monster. The rest, including the characters, is of secondary importance.
Nice effects. The monster is spectacularly rigged. The other effects are also good. In most cases the grime brush has done good work. That witch! Wow! It was clearly done with love. It delivers atmospheric creepy images.
That's the kind of movie it is. An atmospheric monster movie. Not deadly scary, but atmospherically scary.
Translated from Dutch · View original
Fisico
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- 10039 messages
- 5398 votes
The title makes no sense and is more reminiscent of Halloween. However, it leans more towards folk and outback horror. Revenge is always a great idea when you go down the horror path. It takes a while before the action gets going, but once the monster from hell is released, there is no stopping it.
I found him more successful in the photo than in the film itself. A strange creature, somewhat lanky with those long legs and those protruding shoulders. Somehow I had to think of Alien. I found his kills unconvincing. Dragging and carrying bodies up, it could have been a bit more extravagant.
Nevertheless a nice watch. I found it very atmospheric in those dark forests with that mist. Also great that the monster is sufficiently and well in the picture. A reasonable 80s horror, nice, but with some cheap here and there.
Translated from Dutch · View originalPre- and sequels
Pumpkinhead: Blood Feud
2007
Pumpkinhead: Ashes to Ashes
2006
Pumpkinhead II: Blood Wings
1993
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