When a group of teenagers flee the scene of an accident that kills his son, Ed Harley (Lance Henriksen) calls forth a demon called Pumpkinhead to take revenge. However, forced to feel the pain of each of their deaths, he realizes he has made a terrible mistake, and tries to stop the demon at all costs.
Pumpkinhead is one of those movies I think keeps getting better and better each time you watch it. It’s not a complicated movie, it’s about one of the most basic and flawed human emotions– revenge. A film has done its job when it evokes those emotions in the viewer as well, and Pumpkinhead goes above and beyond. This isn’t a formulaic type story either, you really feel for the boy, and the bond that he and his father have, trying to make a living in the middle of nowhere all by themselves.
The teenagers are unfairly guilty by association, as only one teenager in the group is a complete jack-ass. It is this conflict that I think sets this film apart from other horror films.
Ed Harley immediately regrets what he has done in the heat of emotional turmoil. Even after he leaves the old woman’s house, he sees a vision of his dead son, a chilling vision that makes him have second thoughts. As the viewer, we know that he has gone too far. As morbid as it sounds, only one of those teenagers deserve to be dropped three stories from a tree. Ed Harley doesn’t have this information. The reason why he wants to stop it is because in his mind no one deserves that fate, even the person who killed his son. In this act we see the true humanity still left in him. When he realizes the connection he has to the demon, that it is basically an extension of his insatiable bloodlust, he must fight for the chance to save his soul.
Apart from the story, you have some great effects. Stan Winston, creator of some of the greatest creatures in cinematic history is at the helm. Pumpkinhead is a terrifying creature which they aren’t afraid to show in its entirety moments after it is introduced. The physical transformation of the creature is great as well. I am always left wanting more when it comes to this movie. The methodical way these people are killed is chilling, but the horror fan in me is left wanting something equal to the calibre of everything else.
Video
Pumpkinhead is presented in 1080p 1.85:1. The majority of this film takes place at night, which is detrimental to the quality of the video. Although the transfer isn’t as good as it could be, it doesn’t suffer from any major defects. There is a consistent blue and orange hue in many of the scenes as well, which makes it hard to determine fine detail.
Audio
Here we get both DTS HD Master Audio 2.0 and 5.1 mixes. The 5.1 mix sounds really good, taking advantage of the surrounds, providing some great, creepy sound effects. The majority comes from the center channel, giving crisp and clear dialogue.
Extras
Scream Factory pulls out all the stops when putting together the extras for this blu-ray release. They have a great set of interviews from cast and crew about their work on the film, and their fond memories of Stan Winston. For anyone who considers themselves a fan of this film, even in the smallest way, MUST see these special features.
The tribute to Stan Winston is a heartfelt look at his work and all the people he has touched in his years in the business.
Pumpkinhead Unearthed
Behind the Scenes
Night of the Demon with Richard Weinman
The Redemption of Joel with John D’Aquino
The Boy with the Glasses with Matthew Hurley
Demonic Toys
Remembering the Monster Kid: A Tribute to Stan Winston
Still Gallery
Theatrical Trailer
Audio Commentary with Co-Screenwriter Gary Gerani and Creature and FX Creators Tom Woofruff Jr. and Alec Gillis
Pumpkinhead is a timeless film that demonstrates true horror lies not in the monsters that lurk in the night, but in ourselves. Scream Factory’s treatment of this cult classic demands to be recognized, a great pick up in time for Halloween.