by Mike Imboden
Normally here at “The Good, the Bad, and the Verdict”, both Joseph and Mike give their thoughts on a slice of cinema. However, here and there they will be taking the reins in a solo outing. For this installment, it’s Mike with a super special, giant-sized solo review of Synapse Film’s newly remastered Blu-ray and 4k releases of Demons and Demons 2.
DEMONS
The Good
Demons, the 1985 brainchild of director Lamberto Bava and writer Dario Argento, is a wild ride through a demon-infested movie theater that is a masterclass in practical effects. Forget CGI – the demons here are brought to life with gloriously messy prosthetics and other old school methods. From eyeball-gouging to exploding heads, the film is a gorehound's delight. The transformations, where humans mutate into grotesque demons, are particularly impressive, showcasing the creativity and skill of the special effects team.
The film also boasts a killer soundtrack, a pulsating mix of heavy metal that perfectly captures the frenetic energy of the demonic rampage. The music isn't just background noise; it's an integral part of the atmosphere by heightening the tension.
Demons doesn't take itself too seriously with acting that is delightfully cheesy, characters that are over-the-top, and a plot that is little more than a springboard for the carnage. But within this campiness lies a dark sense of humor. There's a gleeful absurdity to the situations that makes the film undeniably entertaining.
The Bad
Demons is undeniably a product of its time. The acting, as mentioned, is more about delivering melodramatic lines than emotional depth. There's no real character development, and the dialogue can be laughably bad at times.
If you're looking for scares, this might not be your best bet. While the visuals are undeniably disturbing, the film relies more on shock value and gore than genuine scares. The tension comes from the constant threat of transformation and the graphic violence, rather than any real sense of dread or suspense.
The film's pacing can also be uneven. Things get off to a slow start, with a lengthy opening sequence that establishes the characters and setting. Once the demons arrive, however, the film explodes into a relentless barrage of violence and mayhem leaving little room for character development, as mentioned.
The Verdict
Demons isn't a great film, but it is a wildly entertaining one. The practical effects are a marvel, the soundtrack is infectious, and the film's sheer absurdity is a source of constant amusement. If you're looking for a sophisticated horror film, look elsewhere. But if you crave a gloriously gory, unapologetically 80s slice of B-movie fun, Demons will leave you grinning from ear to ear.
DEMONS 2
The Good
Demons 2, the 1986 follow-up to Lamberto Bava's cult classic, leans into the unhinged chaos that made the original so enjoyable. The sequel takes the basic premise of the first film – a demonic contagion spreading through a confined space – and injects it with a hefty dose of outrageous creativity. The apartment building setting allows for some truly inspired set pieces. Imagine a possessed elevator that becomes a vertical death trap, or a parking garage transformed into a battleground. The film doesn't shy away from practical effects, delivering a cavalcade of oozing wounds, grotesque demon transformations, and inventive creature designs. While some may find them dated, there's an undeniable charm to these effects - a tangible quality missing from today's CGI-reliant horror. The soundtrack is another highlight, a pulsing mix of 80s synth and rock that perfectly complements the film's frenetic energy.
The film also boasts a surprising amount of humor, although often unintentional. The dubbed dialogue can be laughably bad at times, but it somehow adds to the overall enjoyment. The characters, while not exactly Oscar-worthy, are endearingly goofy, and their struggles for survival provide a thread of dark humor amidst the carnage. There's a certain self-aware glee to Demons 2, a sense that the filmmakers are having a blast crafting this outrageous spectacle.
The Bad
Demons 2, like its predecessor, doesn't waste much time on plot or character development. The film throws logic out the window from the get-go, with not much more than a passing explanation for how the demonic possession spreads from a TV. The characters are mostly one-dimensional archetypes – the resourceful hero, the hysterical damsel in distress, the cowardly buffoon. They exist solely to be possessed, mutated, and dispatched in increasingly gruesome ways.
The demons themselves, while undeniably grotesque, lack the genuine creep factor of some classic horror villains. The film's breakneck pace also leaves little room for suspense, opting for relentless action over slow-burn dread.
The Verdict
Demons 2 is not a film for everyone. Those seeking a sophisticated horror experience with a deep plot and nuanced characters should probably look elsewhere. However, for fans of trash cinema and lovers of 80s B-movie madness, Demons 2 is a treasure trove of cheesy fun. It's a film that knows exactly what it is and revels in its own ridiculousness. So, crank up the volume, embrace the absurdity, and prepare for a gloriously gory descent into demonic mayhem. Just don't expect to take it too seriously.
Overall verdict
Highly, HIGHLY recommended for fans of any of the intersecting sub-genres, from zombie films to Italian horror. The restorations are beautiful, the extras are cool, and the special features on both releases are plentiful and interesting.
Demons
Directed By: Lamberto Bava
Written By: Dardano Sacchetti, Dario Argento, Lamberto Bava
Starring: Urbano Barberini, Natasha Hovey, Karl Zinny,
Run Time: 1h 28m
Rating: NR
Release Date: 1985
Directed By: Lamberto Bava
Written By: Dario Argento, Lamberto Bava, Franco Ferrini
Starring: Fiore Argento, Geretta Geretta, Bobby Rhodes, Nicoletta Elmi, Coralina Cataldi-Tassoni, Asia Argento, Nancy Brilli, David Edwin Knight
Run Time: 1h 32m
Rating: R
Release Date: 1986
SPECIAL FEATURES
DEMONS
- Newly remastered in 4K from the original camera negative in Dolby Vision (HDR10 compatible)
- Two versions of the film: the full-length original cut in English and Italian, and the shorter U.S. version featuring alternate dubbing and sound effects
- Uncompressed DTS-HD MA English & Italian 5.1/2.0 audio mixes on the original cut derived from the archival audio masters
- Uncompressed DTS-HD MA English 2.0 U.S. theatrical mono audio
- New audio commentary by critics Kat Ellinger and Heather Drain, co-hosts of the Hell’s Belles podcast
- Audio commentary with director Lamberto Bava, SPFX artist Sergio Stivaletti, composer Claudio Simonetti and actress Geretta Geretta
- Produced by Dario Argento: a new visual essay by author and critic Michael Mackenzie exploring the legendary filmmaker’s career as a producer
- Dario’s Demon Days: interview with writer/producer Dario Argento
- Defining an Era in Music: interview with Claudio Simonetti
- Splatter Spaghetti Style: interview with long-time Argento collaborator Luigi Cozzi
- Carnage at the Cinema: Lamberto Bava and His Splatter Masterpiece
- Dario and the Demons: Producing Monster Mayhem
- Monstrous Memories: Luigi Cozzi on the making of Demons
- Profondo Jones: The Critical Perspective
- Splatter Stunt Rock: interview with Ottaviano Dell’Acqua
- Stivaletti Q&A at the 2019 UK ‘Festival of Fantastic Films’
- Original Italian and English international theatrical trailers
- U.S. theatrical trailer
- Newly translated optional English SDH subtitles for the English versions
- Newly translated English subtitles for the Italian version
DEMONS 2
- Newly remastered in 4K from the original camera negative in Dolby Vision (HDR10 compatible)
- Uncompressed DTS-HD MA English 5.1 & Italian 5.1/2.0 audio mixes derived from the original archival audio masters
- Uncompressed DTS-HD MA English 2.0 true stereo theatrical mix
- New audio commentary by film critic Travis Crawford
- Bava to Bava: interview with Luigi Cozzi on the history of Italian horror
- Creating Creature Carnage: interview with Sergio Stivaletti
- Demonic Influences: Federico Zampaglione Speaks
- The ‘Demons’ Generation: Roy Bava discusses a legacy in lacerations
- The New Blood of Italian Horror featuring Sergio Stivaletti
- Screaming for a Sequel: The Delirious Legacy of Demons 2 with Lamberto Bava
- A Soundtrack for Splatter: interview with composer Simon Boswell
- Together and Apart: a new visual essay on the space and technology in Demons and Demons 2 by author and critic Alexandra Heller-Nicholas
- Original Italian and English theatrical trailers
- Newly translated optional English SDH subtitles for the English version
- Newly translated English subtitles for the Italian version
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