Creepshow 2 was a VHS rental and HBO recording in my youth in the ’80s. Now on 4K UHD I can see what it would have looked like in theaters.
Amid this collection of three horror shorts, “The Raft” is the best one and it’s smack dab in the middle. It’s still cheesy, but it sets up a solid scenario. Four buddies have to avoid the slits in a raft because a blob creature in the water can get them through it.
The opening, “Old Chief Wood’nhead” really drags out a robbery in the middle, and then the revenge against those robbers isn’t that cool. Also, oof to Holt McCallany playing a Native American. It was a different time, as they say.
“The Hitchhiker” is the most classic comeuppance tale. A cheating wife (Lois Chiles) hits a hitchhiker (Tom Wright) who keeps appearing on her car. It’s basic but it moves and has the most convincing gore.
The first two stories are bright and sunny. Only the third is predominantly at night, though the raft monster exhibits some pure 4K black enhancing its menace. The deatil on the wooden chief’s (Dan Kamin) head is exquisite.
Bonus features from 2016 got George Romero. He’d be happy to know they did ultimately make a Creepshow TV series. Tom Savini also shared secrets of the makeup effects and contracts. Actors Daniel Beer and Wright also reflect on the challenges of the low-budget shoot, especially in the freezing lake.
2004 DVD extras got the KNB guys before The Walking Dead. Director Michael Gornick validates many of the stories from the interviews in his scene specific commentary.