The tyranist's thoughts
Rish has talked about this movie to me for years even though at the time of this review he still hasn't seen it. I guess that the poster, the trailers, the title or something just always scared him as a kid. Fortunately, I was able to brave his advice and see the movie. Well, maybe not fortunately.
The video that I rented had a couple of blurbs from Stephen King who was obviously less discriminating in his younger days since the two quotes were either violently taken out of context or he really loved the movie. When I had finished it an hour and a half later, I reread the quotes and I still don't get what he was saying.
The movie is basically about a mine haunted by "horrible" bad muppet-like creatures called--are you ready for this--Boogens. Not that anyone uses the name boogens until almost the very end of the movie, but the title kind of tells you. Apparently they are trying to reopen the mine 70 years after it closed due to mysterious deaths and attacks. Well, I won't give it all away for you just in case you're still interested, but suffice it to say, that it is pretty standard slasher fare without the human slasher.
I found the movie to be pretty bland. It didn't really give me anything to be scared about and didn't really pull me in even though I grew up in country not entirely dissimilar to the movies setting. The acting is barely enough to avoid a skull and the script is filled with pithy dialogue that doesn't really belong but does keep the movie going forward for the most part. And then there is that damn dog. I would have killed it myself if I had to put up with all of its antics.
So I think that if you are really into early 80's horror (and I know a few who are) then this is probably worth checking out simply because it is a slightly different approach for the day. I mean, camp serial killer after camp serial killer can get pretty boring. So check out The Boogens but don't expect to find it frightening.
Posted: February 14, 2000

Rish's Reviews
I warned tyranist not to see it. I warned my childhood friends. I warned the old woman down the street. I warned people at random from the phone book. But did they listen? Of course not. And they paid the price for their lack of vision. Young fool, only now, at the end, do you understand . . .
Whoops.
Folks, this film scarred me at an early age. I had nightmares from the television commercials, and would fly into hysterics whenever the word "Boogens" was spoken. Part of me still wants to do that.
The other part of me just needs to use the restroom.
Still, due to my childhood fear, I have never seen this movie. I may never see this movie. I only pray you are so lucky.
I'd Recommend It To: Fools! I told you to stay away! I ranted and raved and spat and twitched and ruined my Thundarr the Barbarian Underoos, but did you listen? Of course not, you silly, stupid fools! Oh, you brainless bags of useless courage! Where did it get you, hmmm?
I have to go. The orderly is here with my medication. Mmmm, chalky.