Skip to main content

Little Shop of Horrors (1986)

Little Shop of Horrors Movie Poster

Plot Summary: Seymour Krelborn, a shy and meek florist assistant, discovers a mysterious plant he names Audrey II. The plant brings him fame and fortune, but it harbors a dark secret: it thrives on human blood. As Seymour struggles to keep Audrey II fed, he must face the increasingly dire consequences of his choices in this darkly comedic musical.

Director: Frank Oz
Producer: David Geffen
Screenplay: Howard Ashman

Starring:
Rick Moranis as Seymour Krelborn
Ellen Greene as Audrey
Vincent Gardenia as Mr. Mushnik
Steve Martin as Orin Scrivello, DDS
Levi Stubbs as the voice of Audrey II
 Freddy's Movie Review
***SPOILER ALERT***

Exploring another Cult Classic

Continuing our journey through Frank Oz's filmography, we arrive at the cult horror musical Little Shop of Horrors completed 1 year before I was born. Once again, Oz impresses with unbelievably detailed puppet animatronics. The monster plant Audrey II is a technical marvel, with perfect movement and lip sync that bring it to life. Hearing Audrey II sing in the soulful voice of Levi Stubbs from The Four Tops is a delight, and the standout song "Feed Me (Git It!)" is an absolute banger. When it shifts into full rock and roll, it’s hard to stay seated—you just want to stomp your feet. This movie is something truly special, blending music, horror, and comedy in an unforgettable way.


The Performances and Humor

The film’s choreography, camera work, and editing are a masterclass in fluid and dynamic storytelling. A particular highlight is Steve Martin as the sadistic dentist Orin Scrivello, channeling the energy of Lux Interior from The Cramps. His scenes are hilarious, especially when paired with Bill Murray as a masochistic patient requesting "a long, slow root canal." Comedy gold! Rick Moranis and Ellen Greene shine as an awkward romantic duo, and their singing is both charming and entertaining. Howard Ashman’s lyrics are inventive and fun, cementing his legacy as a key contributor to Disney classics like The Little Mermaid and Beauty and the Beast.


The Original Cut and Final Thoughts

I watched the original cut, and like the test audiences, I found the ending—where evil prevails—a bit unsettling. It left me pondering the metaphorical meaning of the movie, with Audrey II possibly representing greed or unchecked ambition. However, learning the backstory of the original 1960 film grounded my overthinking; director Roger Corman conceived the idea in just five minutes to reuse leftover sets from A Bucket of Blood. The tragic ending might work well on stage but feels off in a cinematic setting. That said, it subverts expectations, leaving a lasting impression and the memorable advice: don’t feed the plants! While I did feel a dip in engagement during Audrey’s final song, the mesmerizing performance by Audrey II (a creation of Lyle Conway) and the overall ride made it a worthwhile watch. I’m not a huge fan of musicals, but this one is a must-see for its unique charm.


πŸŽ₯ Cinematography (9/10):

Amazing camera work and editing. Everything feels fluid and fun to watch.

πŸ“– Story (7/10):

Quirky and unique, but the original ending felt a bit strange.

🎬 Direction (9/10):

Frank Oz nails the mix of comedy, horror, and musical energy.

πŸ‘₯ Characters (9/10):

All characters are wonderful, but I'm a big fan of the Dentist.

πŸ’₯ Visual Effects (10/10):

Audrey II is incredible—perfect movement and lip sync.

🎭 Acting (8/10):

All great.

πŸ’¬ Dialogue (8/10):

Sharp and clever, especially the lyrics by Howard Ashman.

🌍 Setting/Atmosphere (7/10):

Pinewood Studios sets give it a dreamy, fantastical vibe that works perfectly.

🎡 Music (7/10):

Songs are super catchy, especially "Feed Me (Git It!),".

πŸ˜„ Entertainment Value (8/10):

A fun ride, even if it drags a bit near the end.

Our blog is currently being updated regularly!
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

In & Out (1997)

Plot Summary: Howard Brackett, a beloved English teacher in a small Midwestern town, finds his life turned upside down when a former student-turned-Hollywood star publicly "outs" him during an Academy Awards acceptance speech. With his wedding just days away, Howard must confront the unexpected revelation, leading to a comedic journey of self-discovery, societal expectations, and acceptance. Director: Frank Oz Producer: Scott Rudin Screenplay: Paul Rudnick Starring: Kevin Kline as Howard Brackett Joan Cusack as Emily Montgomery Tom Selleck as Peter Malloy Matt Dillon as Cameron Drake Debbie Reynolds as Berniece Brackett Wilford Brimley as Frank Brackett   ***SPOILER ALERT*** A Frank Oz Comedy Inspired by Real-Life Events We’re back exploring Frank Oz’s filmography, and today’s feature is In & Out, a 90s comedy with a uniqu...
Post a Comment
Click to read

Moana (2016)

Moana is a 2016 American computer-animated musical adventure film produced by Walt Disney Animation Studios. It was directed by John Musker and Ron Clements, co-directed by Chris Williams and Don Hall, and produced by Osnat Shurer, with a screenplay written by Jared Bush, and a story by Musker, Clements, Williams, Hall, Pamela Ribon, and the writing team of Aaron and Jordan Kandell. The film introduces AuliΚ»i Cravalho as Moana and also features the voices of Dwayne Johnson, Rachel House, Temuera Morrison, Jemaine Clement, Nicole Scherzinger, and Alan Tudyk. The film features original songs written by Lin-Manuel Miranda, Opetaia Foa'i and Mark Mancina, and an orchestral score also composed by Mancina. source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moana_(2016_film) In Ancient Polynesia, when a terrible curse incurred by the Demigod Maui reaches Moana's island, she answers the Ocean's call to seek out the Demigod to set things right. source: https://www.imdb...
Post a Comment
Click to read

Death at a Funeral (2007)

Plot Summary: Chaos ensues at a family funeral when secrets, misunderstandings, and unexpected revelations come to light. What starts as a somber gathering quickly turns into a farcical series of events, including the accidental ingestion of hallucinogens, a blackmail attempt involving a shocking secret about the deceased, and escalating comedic disasters. This black comedy perfectly balances absurdity and emotion, offering plenty of laughs and heartfelt moments. Director: Frank Oz Producer: Sidney Kimmel Screenplay: Dean Craig Starring: Matthew Macfadyen as Daniel Rupert Graves as Robert Alan Tudyk as Simon Peter Dinklage as Peter Keeley Hawes as Jane Ewen Bremner as Justin   ***SPOILER ALERT*** A British Black Comedy Gem British Black Comedy—do I even need to say more? You already know it’s going to be good, especially with Frank O...
Post a Comment
Click to read

Bowfinger (1999)

Plot Summary: Bobby Bowfinger, a struggling filmmaker, comes up with a wild plan to shoot his dream movie on a shoestring budget. When Hollywood megastar Kit Ramsey refuses to star in the film, Bowfinger decides to secretly shoot around him, using hidden cameras and an oblivious look-alike named Jiff. This hilarious satire explores the absurdities of Hollywood, ambition, and the lengths one will go to achieve their dreams. Director: Frank Oz Producer: Brian Grazer Screenplay: Steve Martin Starring: Steve Martin as Bobby Bowfinger Eddie Murphy as Kit Ramsey / Jiff Ramsey Heather Graham as Daisy Christine Baranski as Carol Terence Stamp as Terry Stricter Robert Downey Jr. as Jerry Renfro   ***SPOILER ALERT*** Another Frank Oz and Steve Martin Gem As expected, I'm back with another Frank Oz 90s comedy classic, this time starring Steve ...
Post a Comment
Click to read