Review: ‘The Monster Squad’ on DVD

Monster Squad 20th. Anniversary (2 disc set)

Being preceeded in previous years with such films as Gremlins, Ghostbusters(84), and Goonies(85), The Monster Squad was on par to be a hit of that level. Then, 1987 hit! With titles such as Spaceballs, The Princess Bride, Harry & the Hendersons, Raising Arizona, Lethal Weapon, Robocop, Predator, and Lost Boys to contend with…The Monster Squad was lost in the shuffle, and forgotten. Or was it?

20 Years later! Lionsgate has resurrected this nearly lost Classic, updated with some cool new additions, and sent it back out to the masses. As a child I watched this film, I’m sure, 200+ times. With all the other, now classic, films released at the same time I assumed I was one of a select few true fans of this film. So, I hear there is a DVD in the works. My excitement grows. The day of release came, and off to the nearest Best Buy I go for what I knew was a well-kept secret from my childhood. Was I ever wrong? 5 stores later, at an FYE, I find what is their last copy. Lionsgate, and myself did not anticipate the great demand for this movie. The Monster Squad seems to have been able to strike a cord that has resonated for the last 20 years. TMS is a fun tale of child empowerment, not against parents, or a school system, but the most heinous monsters in history. Shaun leads the Monster Squad as they do battle with Dracula and crew, over the universal balance of good and evil. For those who aren’t familiar with the story. For those who are…

DVD Details:

• Audio Commentary w/Fred Dekker(Writer/Director), Andre` Gower(Sean), Ryan Lambert(Rudy), Ashley Bank(Phoebe)
• Audio Commentary w/Fred Dekker(Writer/Director)& Bradford May(Director of Photography)
• Monster Squad Forever – a five-part retrospective featuring new interviews w/ Fred Dekker, Andre` Gowen, Ryan Lambert, Ashley Bank, Duncan Regehr(Dracula), Tom Noonan(Frankenstein), and more…
• A Conversation with Frankenstein – A never-before-seen interview with the Monster himself! (This is hillarious.)
• Deleted Scenes
• Original Theatrical Trailer, and TV Spot
• Still Gallery
• Newly Mastered 16×9 Widescreen
• Newly Mastered 5.1 Dolby Digital Audio
• Original 2.0 Dolby Stereo Audio
• English & Spanish Subtitles
• English Closed Captioned

The DVD was done quite well. I found the “Conversation with Frankenstein” featurette to be my favorite addition. Tom Noonan as Frankstein, every Frankenstein, ever in film. He does a great job at it, aswell he should, considering he was Frankenstein 24/7 on the set. Never would he allow the children to see him without being in complete costume. The “Monster Squad Forever” featurette reveals Brent Chalem(Fat Kid) commited suicide, which shocked me to hear. “Rudy” turned out to look like a big dork. “Phoebe” got pretty hot! “Sean” wanted to be “Rudy”. Though they didn’t add all the deleted scenes, cut some original scenes, changed the final credits song, and the original cover art(Though, did provide a mini poster of the original). I was over-all pleased. I’m able to experience a great movie, on a newer format. Not that I minded the over-watched VHS, but now it has been introduced to an all-new generation, to be enjoyed for many more years to come.