THE RETURN OF SWAMP THING REVIEWED
“The Return of Swamp Thing” was easier to find when I was a kid. It seemed like it was always on TMC or USA. The first movie was never available at the video store. Plus, I kept hearing from older kids that it was a slower horror movie. At the age of 9 or 10, that was just death to here. You have a heroic swamp monster, but it takes forever for him to do anything? “Return of Swamp Thing” had monster fights, fat kids and Sarah Douglas. What did Wes Craven do wrong that Jim Wynorski did so right?
Well, Wynorski got the material. Sure, Craven’s stab at the character was hitting theaters right when the Alan Moore legendary run was beginning. But, all Craven had to go off of was it was a DC Comics horror book. He tried to make a slight Hicksploitation creature feature and kinda failed. There’s a reason why no one remembers that movie, but they all can tell which version lets you see Adrienne Barbeau topless.
This superior sequel gets that people want to see Swamp Thing as the protector of the Houma, Louisiana swamp. He’s a hero, but he’s also a horror creation. Arcane will keep sending Un-Men his way until one of them dies. Plus, people really wanted to know if Heather Locklear would get it on with a plant. If you read recent news about her, I think that possibility is still on the table. Part of me really wishes Wynorski still made movies for general audiences like this. He’s a cult film talent that has seemingly gone deeper into the niche rather than bringing the mainstream to him.
Such is life. But, don’t let that make you miss this release. Things like this are why the MVD Rewind Collection was made.
SPECIAL FEATURES
- NEW Audio commentary from Director Jim Wynorski, Composer Chuck Cirino and Editor Leslie Rosenthal
- Audio commentary from Director Jim Wynorski
- NEW Interview with Director Jim Wynorski (HD)
- NEW Interview with Editor Leslie Rosenthal (HD)
- NEW Interview with Composer Chuck Cirino (HD)
- NEW Interview with Lightyear Entertainment Executive Arnie Holland (HD)
- Original Theatrical Trailer (New HD Transfer from original 35mm materials)
- 6 Promotional TV Clips (SD)
- 2 TV Spots (SD)
- 2 Greenpeace Public Service Announcements (SD)
- 1989 Promo Reel (SD)
- Photo Gallery (accompanied by Chuck Cirino’s film’s score)
- Collectible Mini- Poster
A/V STATS
- 1.85:1 1080p transfer
- DTS-HD 5.1 master audio track