Little Shop of Horrors (1986)

Yawn. Poorly Filmed Snooze Fest.

As Good As It Gets

It's the kind of movie you'll want to see a second time with someone who hasn't seen it yet, to remember what it was like to watch it for the first time.

This is a dark and sometimes deeply uncomfortable drama

Before they went on to helm one of the biggest resurgences in film history with Disney's animated musicals in the late 80s-early 90s, songwriters Howard Ashman and Alan Menken wrote a comedic-musical of a forgotten Roger Corman horror movie called Little Shop of Horrors. With lyrics as smart as they are funny, and music as catchy as it is kitschy, they caught the ears of director Oz. Using his history within the Muppets factory to bring to cinematic life the darkly colorful story, he gave us the silver screen adaptation, a wonderful combination of stage and screen that has brought mischievous smiles to audiences for 30 years. In it, the blessed Rick Moranis plays a florist trying to balance his job, an angry boss, an abused love interest, and her deranged dentist boyfriend. Oh, and a man-eating plant that is the only thing keeping his life afloat. That creation alone is worth seeing the movie for. Its size is imposing, its design is detailed, and even without eyes there is an undeniable life in its puppet form. As for the story, it's wonderfully simple, letting the songs and silliness reign supreme. It's weakness may be in its direction, which isn't so much bad as it is bland, never really moving away from essentially being a filmed stage production. However, it's hard to really blame Frank Oz, who dealt with so much studio intervention that he had to completely change the ending to make it more palatable, and thus weaker. Thankfully, the director's cut has been subsequently released in recent years, and now we can more easily appreciate the film in all its mean green greatness.

Based on a classic Broadway musical, this campy comedy-horror picture offers one of the most charming musical experiences of the 80s. Brought together by director Frank Oz, who's most known for providing the voice of Yoda in the popular 'Star Wars' franchise, this movie sets stone to a hodgepodge of B-movie homages and charming musical numbers that sum up to a sweet, campy good time. From the premise focusing on a killer plant, this movie operates on a reasonable level of absurdity. But it is not without its charms and laughs to fuel the heart of the viewers. It is silly, it is funny, and it is self-aware of its goofiness. Furthermore, it can't go wrong with a gift basket of cameos from some of Hollywood's most appealing comedic actors. If there are any flaws plaguing this experience, it may the dated humor that teen-aged youngster may not appeal to. Nonetheless, there is a spectacle to be admired here. This film stars Rick Moranis as Seymour Krelborn, a geeky urban florist who runs a floral shop with his Mushnik (played by Vincent Gardenia) and his flirtatious co-worker Audrey (played by Ellen Green) who he happens to have a crush on, but is in relationship with an eccentric dentist named Orin Scrivello (played by Steve Martin). And guess what, he's abusive. When he unexpectedly springs to life a carnivorous plant that consumes human blood, he finally sees a hope for a new life opportunity.A talking plant that preys on humans? That may sound an overly cartoonish idea. But the bright side is this film knows how to have fun with the concept. Opening with the titular song performed by a spectacular musical trio, this movie blends elements of 1950s B- movies with an endearing collage of sweet musical numbers that fun to listen to, that is if you are not prone to ear sores from 80s pop music. Rick Moranis steps into the role of a nerdy florist who is constantly faces the downs of a mundane life, from aggressively pursuing a girl he is deeply in love with, to desperately meeting the needs of his boss's floral shop. Much of this accounts of a charming mix of gut-busting slapstick humor and sweeping hilarity at every turn. There are also some more disturbing elements added to the mix however, and these include darkly funny scenes of the killer plant lunching on human blood. However, these scenes are intentionally play for laughs, if a little morbidity, and never meant to be nightmare-inducing. And lastly, how much joy could you inject into this musical without a nice surprise visits of cameos by Bill Murray, John Candy, James Belushi, and Christopher Guest -- all of whom make for decent comedic performance for their limited times on screen. Comedic veteran Steve Martin however, is easily the biggest show stealer aside from the killer plant. Shining with absorbing hilarity and comedic charm, Martin makes a satisfying presence in his role. Little Shop of Horrors is a delightful, campy musical spectacle that blossoms with spectacular musical numbers and a surprising amount of energy and wit that many musical (and comedy) fans can admire. Calling this film a musical masterpiece would be saying an awful lot, especially in the age of musicals like 'Grease' and 'Hairspray'. Nonetheless, this movie makes for an appetizing source of entertainment.

Originally reviewed on Letterboxd on 14th August 2016.AT LONG LAST. WATCHING THE DIRECTOR'S CUT AS EVERYBODY SHOULD AS WELL.An wonderful musical with a wonderful cast. And it feels so much more emotional and complete with the original ending. There's need to be pain in this musical and the alternate ending feels so much forced. Proves the general public is scared and is also scared of real emotion in films like Suicide Squad although we don't know for certain if deleted scenes will make that stupid film better. Thing is though, the filmmakers were so lucky that there got very positive reviews from critics (90% on RT) even though there was always the risk of huge audiences watching the original musical and saying that the original ending was better. But the thing with either the original ending or the alternative, it was funny and emotional, the cast was great, no matter which version you've watched although the original ending will always stand superior in its lengthy finale and its creativity. Ellen Greene, I'll only love your Audrey.

It's a black campy horror film remake of a 1960 film of the same ilk. The original is typical of Ed Wood, Hammer Film Productions of the era, low budget horror, actors not that well know at the time, crank it out fast, under or at budget.This remake is just perfect, it's polished without taking away from the original, it has a strong feeling of seeing a theater performance, not surprising since it is base on an off Broadway musical production, but here you get close ups of the actors, I enjoy a lot how it was film in this theater vs movie style.The doo-wop and that old black 60s Motown sound peppered thru it is just wonderful and fits the movie well. Love how the actors are allowed to use their own voice belting it out, with very little enhancing. Steve Martin's evil Elvis dentist is just throttled back enough for a great performance, Rick Moranis carries the movie well as the plant geek, all the actors are top notched. Even the Plant, well he is a mess and full off himself, love the steal the coin from the cash register to make a call scene, that smirk of being so pleased with himself.I still enjoy the original black and white but this one is so good, unfortunately it's an unfair comparison, this was no low budget film and was based on one of the most profitable off Broadway musical ever, something like a 5 year run, over 2,000 performances.