The Monster Squad
(1987)
PG-13 | 82 mins | Horror, Adventure, Comedy | 14 August 1987
Cast:
André Gower, Robby Kiger, Stephen Macht [ More ]Director:
Fred DekkerWriters:
Shane Black, Fred DekkerProducer:
Jonathan A. ZimbertCinematographer:
Bradford MayEditor:
James MitchellProduction Designer:
Albert BrennerProduction Companies:
Taft Entertainment Pictures, Keith Barish ProductionsThe film begins with the written prologue: “One hundred years before this story begins...it was a time of darkness in Transylvania...A time when Dr. Abraham Van Helsing and a small band of freedom fighters...conspired to rid the world of vampires and monsters...and to save mankind from the forces of eternal evil...They blew it.” A subsequent scene depicts “Van Helsing’s” unsuccessful attempt to open the portal and vanquish “Count Dracula” in 1887 Transylvania.
Principal photography began on 13 Oct 1986 in Los Angeles, CA, according to the 5 Nov 1986 Var.
The Dec 1987 issue of AmCin stated that most of the special effects were achieved in-camera using stop-motion animation, matte painting, rotoscoping, pyrotechnics, and makeup. Although all but one of the creatures featured in the film were in public domain, the specific costume and makeup designs made famous in the classic Universal pictures of the 1930s--1950s were still copyrighted by the studio. As a result, director Fred Dekker and the monster art department at the Stan Winston Studio were forced to alter each character’s appearance. The most significant changes were made to the “Gillman,” who was modeled after the “Creature from the Black Lagoon” from the 1954 film of the same name (see entry). The 22-29 Aug 1987 Screen International listed a production cost of $14 million.
The Monster Squad received mixed reviews and was considered a commercial disappointment, with the Oct 1987 Box reporting opening weekend earnings of just $1.9 million from 1,280 theaters. However, in the years since its initial release, the film has gained a substantial cult following.
End credits give “Special Thanks” to ...
The film begins with the written prologue: “One hundred years before this story begins...it was a time of darkness in Transylvania...A time when Dr. Abraham Van Helsing and a small band of freedom fighters...conspired to rid the world of vampires and monsters...and to save mankind from the forces of eternal evil...They blew it.” A subsequent scene depicts “Van Helsing’s” unsuccessful attempt to open the portal and vanquish “Count Dracula” in 1887 Transylvania.
Principal photography began on 13 Oct 1986 in Los Angeles, CA, according to the 5 Nov 1986 Var.
The Dec 1987 issue of AmCin stated that most of the special effects were achieved in-camera using stop-motion animation, matte painting, rotoscoping, pyrotechnics, and makeup. Although all but one of the creatures featured in the film were in public domain, the specific costume and makeup designs made famous in the classic Universal pictures of the 1930s--1950s were still copyrighted by the studio. As a result, director Fred Dekker and the monster art department at the Stan Winston Studio were forced to alter each character’s appearance. The most significant changes were made to the “Gillman,” who was modeled after the “Creature from the Black Lagoon” from the 1954 film of the same name (see entry). The 22-29 Aug 1987 Screen International listed a production cost of $14 million.
The Monster Squad received mixed reviews and was considered a commercial disappointment, with the Oct 1987 Box reporting opening weekend earnings of just $1.9 million from 1,280 theaters. However, in the years since its initial release, the film has gained a substantial cult following.
End credits give “Special Thanks” to Dick Rudolph. A statement also reads: “Filmed at The Culver Studios.”
In attempt to distract himself from his parents’ troubled marriage, twelve-year-old Sean Crenshaw becomes leader of the Monster Squad, a fan club devoted to classic monster movies. Unknown to Sean and his friends, Count Dracula has emerged from his grave to assemble a team of several famous creatures, including Frankenstein, the Wolfman, the Mummy, and the amphibious Gillman. Sean overhears his father, Police Detective Del Crenshaw, discussing strange occurrences around town. Suspecting monsters are responsible, Sean refers to the diary of legendary vampire hunter Dr. Abraham Van Helsing. Unable to translate the German text, the Monster Squad consults with an elderly Holocaust survivor who lives in the neighborhood. The writings reveal that once every century, a portal opens that will dispel the forces of evil to another dimension. After failing to defeat Dracula in 1887, Van Helsing’s followers emigrated to the U.S. to hide a powerful amulet, which helps maintain the balance between good and evil. Noting the date of Van Helsing’s last entry, the boys realize they must find a female virgin to read a special incantation before the portal reopens the following night. They prepare for the ritual, as Dracula sends Frankenstein to steal Van Helsing’s diary. However, the children appeal to the creature’s gentle nature and he befriends Sean’s five-year-old sister, Phoebe. The next evening, Monster Squad member Patrick Rhodes recruits his older sister to read from Van Helsing’s diary while Sean searches for the amulet. Meanwhile, Dracula destroys the Monster Squad’s clubhouse and murders Del’s partner. Del meets the boys at the town church, where they struggle to recite the German phrase. The incantation fails, however, because Patrick’s sister lied about her virginity. As the ...
In attempt to distract himself from his parents’ troubled marriage, twelve-year-old Sean Crenshaw becomes leader of the Monster Squad, a fan club devoted to classic monster movies. Unknown to Sean and his friends, Count Dracula has emerged from his grave to assemble a team of several famous creatures, including Frankenstein, the Wolfman, the Mummy, and the amphibious Gillman. Sean overhears his father, Police Detective Del Crenshaw, discussing strange occurrences around town. Suspecting monsters are responsible, Sean refers to the diary of legendary vampire hunter Dr. Abraham Van Helsing. Unable to translate the German text, the Monster Squad consults with an elderly Holocaust survivor who lives in the neighborhood. The writings reveal that once every century, a portal opens that will dispel the forces of evil to another dimension. After failing to defeat Dracula in 1887, Van Helsing’s followers emigrated to the U.S. to hide a powerful amulet, which helps maintain the balance between good and evil. Noting the date of Van Helsing’s last entry, the boys realize they must find a female virgin to read a special incantation before the portal reopens the following night. They prepare for the ritual, as Dracula sends Frankenstein to steal Van Helsing’s diary. However, the children appeal to the creature’s gentle nature and he befriends Sean’s five-year-old sister, Phoebe. The next evening, Monster Squad member Patrick Rhodes recruits his older sister to read from Van Helsing’s diary while Sean searches for the amulet. Meanwhile, Dracula destroys the Monster Squad’s clubhouse and murders Del’s partner. Del meets the boys at the town church, where they struggle to recite the German phrase. The incantation fails, however, because Patrick’s sister lied about her virginity. As the creatures approach, young Phoebe grabs the diary and finishes reading the passage, successfully opening the space-time continuum. Frankenstein impales Dracula on a wrought-iron fence, but the vampire attempts to drag Sean with him into the portal. Sean breaks free by stabbing Dracula with a wooden stake just as Van Helsing appears to grab the vampire and drag him into the other world. Phoebe attempts to save Frankenstein, but he is sucked into the void along with the other monsters. Once the portal seals shut, the Crenshaw family reunites and the U.S. Army arrives to help clean up the mess.
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