Monster Squad
So, who do ya call?
Ep. 007 is live!
The 1980’s are chuck full of iconic IPs, cartoons, toys, and movies that impacted the landscape from the get-go. Then there were others that seemed to be a slow burn. They didn’t find their following in the theater, they couldn’t be celebrated until years later when fans could connect easier, and they found themselves labeled with an odd badge of honor...being a cult classic. Of the properties we’ve covered so far, Monster Squad certainly fits those parameters.
Released on August 14 of 1987, Monster Squad struggled very quickly at the box office. Released against a budget of $14 million, the film unfortunately made $3.8 million in theaters, and its run was cut short. There are several factors that led to this film’s shortcomings. Many viewed it as a rip off of Ghostbusters, as its poster and campaign did play off of the popular “Who you gonna call?” tagline. Additionally, the film’s PG-13 rating likely hamstrung it as well. This fairly new MPAA rating, as a result of Gremlins and Temple of Doom, often discouraged parents from taking their kids to see the film. Furthermore, the film was also competing with the rated R, and wildly popular, Lost Boys. All of these factors raise the question of how this flick managed to carve out a place in our hearts.
As ended up being the case for many theatrical flicks that floundered, Monster Squad found its home in our homes. Through video rentals, HBO/Cinemax second runs, and basic cable edits, Monster Squad found its audience slowly but surely. When viewed through the eyes of an adult, it isn’t exactly an excellent movie, but it does have its strong points and merits. The majority of the creature effects are outstanding, especially Wolf Man’s transformation. The end result, however, was not exactly top-notch. The Gillman was definitely the gem of the creatures, completely excellent. What really sells this movie, to a kid at least, is the idea of unsupervised childhood adventure.
Goonies, E.T., both are prime examples of children/siblings experiencing an adventure or sharing a secret behind their parent’s back. Even more mature fare, such as Stand By Me, centers around kids having some form of unsupervised adventure. To this day shows like Stranger Things still use this trope. It’s a storytelling device that is evergreen.
For me, this reason holds a special place with me for two reasons. One, it does appeal to my sense of adventure. Before I lived with my dad and Susan, I was HIGHLY unsupervised. I do not recommend this as a parenting style. Yes, there comes a point where you have to loosen your grip on the reigns, and let your kids figure some things out on their own. This methodology is not recommended for children at age 4 or 5. I say this with love, but honestly, it was amazing that I didn’t die, was kidnapped, or God knows what else due to my own “adventures.” Now, weigh that against Susan’s style that saw me being able to do hardly anything beyond my yard. This method of child-rearing is what led to reason number two for this flick to be on my radar; seeing it was taboo, and meant rebellion.
The joke has been made several times, and it’s likely going to come up in regard to other properties...but you better believe Susan wasn’t having it in regard to this movie. Anytime it was at the video store, NOPE! “What would Pastor Park think?” was the usual question she’d hit me with. There was, however, light at the end of the tunnel when I saw that Monster Squad would be on HBO during a free trial weekend. While I did make an attempt to appeal to her one more time, the answer was, unsurprisingly, the same... “no.” My opportunity to rebel, however, would make itself apparent.
One fateful Saturday, my younger brother was down for a nap (he was a newborn at the time), and Susan wanted to take a bath. I was left to my own devices with the remote and cable TV...and Monster Squad had started just before Susan slinked off to the bathroom. For the duration of the movie, I stood in my living room, remote in my hand, back taken off the remote in case I needed to adjust the batteries, and fully prepared to change the station on the fly. I kept my eyes glued to the screen, save for the moments I’d peek into the hall to make sure she was still in the bathroom. For me, what stood out even years later was the scene where they dispatch the Mummy, the Wolf Man gets blown up, and finally the Wolf Man’s demise. Those scenes lived in my head, rent-free, for decades. I never told her I watched the movie, I kept it secret for years. Honestly, the only way she’d ever know is if she stumbles across this show and website. Every time I got in trouble for something asinine, wound up with a punishment far too severe given the situation...I often thought of how I did manage to pull one over on her, and have my first viewing of Monster Squad in the living room of a modest two-bedroom on Springfield Road, when I lived in East Peoria.
Adventure and rebellion, that’s why this movie will always stick with me. Honestly, I probably owe Susan a thank you for creating a circumstance where this movie would end up being such a formative moment for me. Someday, I’ll introduce Henry to it, as opposed to forcing him to be underhanded about watching it. I'm sure we will make some of the same jokes, and as years go by we will throw out “Wolf Man’s got nards!” Frankly, that probably wouldn’t have been a possibility had Susan not been so adamant about me not seeing it, putting me in a position to actively seek it out. Find your silver lining where you can, folks. We hope you enjoy this week’s episode, and the accompanying write-up. We’ll see you next week, and as always thanks, and enjoy!
-Derek
