Blu-ray Review: Little Shop of Horrors (1986) - The Director's Cut

Frank Oz's 1986 film, which is based on Howard Ashman & Alan Menken's 1982 off-Broadway musical, which is based on Roger Corman's 1960 film, tells the story of flower-shop worker Seymour (Rick Moranis) and his discovery of an usual plant. The Blu-ray release of Little Shop of Horrors is notable because in addition to the theatrical version it includes a nine-minutes-longer Director's Cut thanks to Warner Brothers restoring the rarely seen original ending. As explained in the extras, the ending was changed because it tested poorly with audiences, but I find it the more satisfying version.

Set in 1960, the film centers on Seymour, who works in the flower shop of his adopted father, Mr. Mushnik (Vincent Gardenia). Business is very poor until Seymour finds a variation of the Venus flytrap he names Audrey II, after the co-worker (Ellen Greene, reprising her role from the musical) he's in love with. Unfortunately for him, she is involved with an abusive boyfriend, Orin Scrivello (Steve Martin), who is a sadistic dentist.

Seymour soon discovers Audrey II has an appetite for blood and grows rapidly in size after being fed. It then hungers for bodies, which Seymour reluctantly goes along with when he realizes he can get rid of Orin, but once he heads down that path there's no turning back. Once Audrey II feels unstoppable, it reveals its plan to take over the world. This leads to a showdown between Seymour and Audrey II. The theatrical version offers a happy ending. The ending of the Director's Cut is consistent with the film's commentary on consumerism and fame, and it features some amazing puppetry and effects work by visual effects supervisor Richard Conway and his team.

Oz does a great job as director with his creative choices, and although not the first choice, he was probably the best with his Muppet background. The film has a wonderful energy, fueled by the cast's performances, many of which are played over the top. Even those who appearance in one scene, like John Candy, who plays WSKID deejay Wink Wilkinson, and Bill Murray, as the masochistic dental patient, the same role Jack Nicholson played in Corman's film, make memorable impressions.

Article Author: Gordon S. Miller

Gordon S. Miller is the artist formerly known as El Bicho, the nom de plume he used when he first began reviewing movies online for The Masked Movie Snobs in 2003. Before that year was out, he became that site's publisher. …

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