I’ve loved Little Shop of Horrors for 40 years since I saw it as a kid and didn’t know it was going to be a musical. I played that soundtrack cassette tape out in my parents’ cars. I don’t remember when I learned about the original ending. I knew the play had a different ending, but there was a good decade where the deleted Audrey II takeover was legend. Now it’s been readily available on Blu-ray since 2012.
But, rediscovering the movie in 4K is a whole new experience. That Pinewood soundstage skid row glows in the studio light. It feels like you’re on the streets, in Muchnik’s Flower Shop.
There are some pitch black shadows during “Downtown,” scaffolding creating shadow lines and alleyways hiding dark corners. Seymour (Rick Moranis) walks through one of those dark alleys on “Someone show me a way to get out of here” and emerges into the “sunlight.”
There is some color with the lush flower district and red cars and jackets. Audrey (Ellen Green)’s “Somewhere That’s Green” fantasy is heightened with artificial color. Audrey II’s green roots and mouth stand out in the drap shop.
The miniature work in the director’s cut finale is stunning. The Audrey IIs stomping down city streets, tossing taxi cabs, has never been this vivid.
The music sounds amazing in stereo. The director’s cut ending has the most surround sound since it was mixed in 2012. Brick buildings crumble and debris flies in the rears, as scampering crowds run through your living room.
A new bonus feature has interviews with director Frank Oz and Greene. Greene actually convinced Oz to do it, and Oz discusses adapting the staging to a movie. Greene still had to test for the role she played on Broadway, and sang live even though she was singing against playback. Another new bonus features highlights some of the puppet and model artists creating Audrey II at different sizes. Bonus features from the 2012 edition and the 1986 production are also included.