My Review of House (1985)

 

Written by Ethan Wiley And Fred Dekker

Directed by Steve Miner

Aunt Elizabeth: "It won Roger. It tricked me. I didn't think it could, but it did. It's going to trick you too, Roger. This house knows everything about you. Leave while you can!"

Roger: "No!"

I'm starting my horror fest a month earlier and while I might not be reviewing the sequels for this franchise immediately, I just had to watch this last night. I'll admit that it was a first time watch.

So, what the hell was this movie about? A haunted house presumably. You've got former Vietnam vet turned author Roger Cobb (William Katt) moving back into a childhood home of his aunt's while also coping with losng his son, Jimmy (Erik and Mark Silver) and his marriage to Sandy (Kay Lenz) falling apart. Oh and penning a book about his war experience that his horror fans aren't pleased with.

Then there's the house in question. Yes, it's haunted by a variety of nasty things as well as his aunt Elizabeth (Susan French) and Roger found himself having to deal with this. At the same time, he also had a new best friend in Harold (George Wendt) and a would be love interest in Tanya (Mary Stavin), but the lattet saw him more than a babysitter a potential boyfriend.

As the movie progressed, you had Roger convinced he murdered his estranged wife halfway through the movie while trying to keep Tanya's boisterous son from being snatched by Critters. Then there was also the Vietnam flashbacks where a past misdeed of Roger's had present day consequences.

The monsters in question (critters, witches, skeleton soldier, etc) looked pretty damn good but were more funny than terrifying. In fact the comedy in this movie far outweighed the actual horror and by the end of the movie, there's a personal victory of sorts that while decent did come across as a tad unearned. 

- There are three sequels to this movie as well as an upcoming reboot, due out next year.

- Roger's books at his signing were Blood Dance and Sword Of Bad. He seemed to have a certain disdain for his fans. 

- Standout music: Clint Ballard Jr's You're No Good.

- Chronology: The movie came out in 1985 and there was those Vietnam War flashbacks for Roger's backstory.

House ain't a classic but it's entertainingly daft while trying to cover serious topics about war and loss. The monsters do look great and Roger's an engaging enough protagonist. It just gets a bit too silly for it's own good with a family reunion that felt rushed by the end.

Rating: 6 out of 10