Little Shop of Horrors (1986)

I’m always going to find more older films that I haven’t seen yet but I can’t deny that this whole revisit and review thing is a lot of fun. Not only am I catching up with films that I haven’t watched in a long time, but I’m also enjoying them more than I did when I was younger. Whether it’s discovering something new or if it has more of an emotional impact on me than it did years ago, there’s always going to be something about them that sticks out to me. I think the same could be said for Little Shop of Horrors. I loved watching this film when I was a kid and I loved it even more as an adult. I’ve always had a thing for musicals and the songs are still as incredible as always. They never seem to want to leave my neurodistinct brain and I think that’s all thanks to the amazing duo of Howard Ashman and Alan Menken. Also, the puppetry is outstanding as well. The credit there has to go to puppet designer Lyle Conway, director Frank Oz, and The Jim Henson Company. I have more to add to this experience, so let’s return to Skid Row and enter Mushnik’s Flower Shop to see what musical terrors await us.

     Based on the stage show of the same name, the story follows a nerdy, hapless floral assistant (Rick Moranis) who is given a chance to succeed and win the heart of his co-worker (Ellen Greene) when he brings in an exotic, bloodthirsty plant and displays it in the shop. I don’t think I can complement this movie enough for everything it’s given me. Even the cast is pretty top notch. It also includes Vincent Gardenia, Steve Martin, and some very funny guest performances from actors who I’d rather just not name if you haven’t seen the movie yet. I think it works better if you just watch the film and wait for them to come up, because it makes it even funnier when they pop out of nowhere. But I will say this, it also includes the legendary Levi Stubbs as the voice of the man-eating plant and Tichina Arnold, Michelle Weeks, and Tisha Campbell who basically act as a Greek chorus for this film. They make for an awesome trio and they nail every scene that they’re in. I must admit, as someone who’s not only hyperfixed on movies but on stage shows as well, I thought the actors totally crushed it. They did an incredible job of blending campy, exaggerated musical theater with grounded, emotionally vulnerable performances, and that’s not an easy thing to pull off. I feel like I should probably make it clear that I watched the theatrical version and not the director’s cut. I know a lot of people try to justify alternate versions of any film and talk about what makes them better but to be perfectly honest, I just don’t care. I’m sure they have their moments but when I’m watching an original theatrical cut, it looks and feels more authentic to me. Plus, I already know how the story ends in both the stage show and the director’s cut, yet it still means nothing to me. So you’ll pardon me if I don’t give off a very flexible attitude when I don’t listen to anyone who recommends it to me. That being said, I still had a fun time watching this and that’s really all that matters.

     Looking back on this film, I’m not sure I can say that I found anything new that I haven’t seen before but it’s still an enjoyable one nonetheless. It has everything that I love about both movies and musical theater, and that’s more than enough for me. My overall score would have to be a 9 out of 10. If you like musicals, stage shows, horror comedies, or if you’re just looking to have a total blast, then definitely check this film out if you haven’t already. Absurd, over-the-top, and charmingly corny.