Saturday 3 April 2021

Ghoulies III: Ghoulies Go to College (1990) Review


 A group of little demons are summoned at a college campus and the creatures wreak havoc.

Despite being made in 1991 John Carl Buechler's Ghoulies III: Ghoulies Go to College reeks of the 1980s, when actors are cast younger than their roles, T & A, slapstick and frat shenanigans were in en vogue.

Played particularly for comedy, this instalment benefits from Ghoulies actually speaking and it's dark setting adds some much needed atmosphere to the campus.

Acting veteran Kevin McCarthy knows what he's making as Professor Ragnar. Hope Marie Carlton is notable. The rest of the cast are rang of familiar faces that handle the subject with Police Academy gusto, including lead Evan MacKenzie, Eva LaRue and Patrick Labyorteaux to name a few. It also features a few actors who went onto bigger films, Matthew Lillard, Jason Scott Lee and the late Stephen Lee.

The writers borrow from better similar prank films and a range of creature movies. It's low brow horror entertainment. The flawed practical special effects and production values are part of the fun, going unnoticed with sleight of hand with focus placed on the Ghoulies' jibber jabber and set ups. And yes, for fans Fish Ghoulie does indeed pop out of a toilet.

Overall, it zips along quickly enough not to overstay its welcome. Watch with friends.

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