The Monster Squad (20th Anniversary Edition)

THE END OF THE WORLD STARTS AT MIDNIGHT.The forces of evil have returned to take over the world and there lead by Count Dracula and his band of monsters.Anyone who remembers "The Monster Squad" will definitely want to own this amazing two-disc 20th Anniversary Edition from Lionsgate/Maple Pictures.The performance given by the entire cast is terrific and "The Monster Squad" is just as entertaining as it was 20 years ago.The word I would use to describe this 20th Anniversary Edition is magnificent.The newly mastered 16x9 Widescreen video transfer is absolutely incredible and it's given new life to this classic from the 1980's.This DVD version also includes a newly mastered 5.1 Dolby Digital soundtrack and it's excellent to say the least.The new 5.1 Digital Surround Sound adds a whole new dimension to this movie,something it definitely needed.Old fans as well as new fans of "The Monster Squad" are in for a real treat with The 20th Anniversary DVD edition.Not only will you get an amazing movie with spectacular picture and sound,you'll also be treated to wonderful bonus extras on the second disc.In my opinion the bonus extras are informative and fun to watch and make this two-disc set worth owning. What's keeping you? join the monster squad as they band together to rid the world of Dracula,Frankenstein,Wolfman,the Mummy and Gill-Man. This is a wonderful movie that the whole family can sink their fangs into again and again.Monster Squad Forever!!

DVD Special Features Include:
*Commentary by Fred Dekker, Andre Gower, Ryan Lambert and Ashley Bank
*Commentary by Fred Dekker and Bradford May
*Monster Squad Forever five-part hour and a half documentary
*A Conversation with Frankenstein interview: never-before-seen
*Deleted and extended scenes
*Animated storyboard sequence
*Still gallery
*Newly Mastered 16x9 Widescreen Transfer
*Newly Mastered 5.1 Dolby Digital Soundtrack
*English and Spanish Subtitles, English Closed Captioned
*Original theatrical trailer
*TV spot

Like many a genre fan who grew up in the eighties, I find that this is the ultimate tribute to kids who love monster movies. It's got a great blend of scary (but not TOO scary) scenes, hilarious humour, campy set pieces and eighties children's fashion :)

As far as criticisms, one could always pick on the script. It lacks depth, has a couple (just a couple) of one-liners that'll make you groan and there are some missed opportunities for real character development and insight - the kind of thing which draws people into multiple viewings because they can get something new out of the story every few years.

But if you're looking for a real horror flick that you can watch w/your pre-teens, this could be the gem you're jonesing for.