Krampus (2015) Movie Review

While wrapping up my review for director Mike Dougherty's second full-length foray into the realm of horror-comedy, it occurred to me that I never published a full review for my final entry in 2015's iteration of Unseen Terror. Yes, I did watch one production released during these past eleven months that could technically qualify as "Day 31" (which would be Tremors 5: Bloodlines), but I considered that to be more of a bonus than an actual posting. So, here is a very quick summary of my thoughts on the big screen adaptation of author R.L. Stine's beloved Goosebumps!



It's an amusing flick that serves as not just a good stepping stone for the next generation to get into horror films of yesteryear, but also as a genuinely fun experience for individuals such as ourselves who grew up idolizing and adoring the golden and silver ages of scarier pictures. Highly recommended, especially if you have younger family members of your own. Still, I wish they had
somehow found a way to incorporate Monster Blood into the equation.



There, are ya happy you (nonexistent) harpies?.....Okay, maybe I'll do a more realized and fleshed out review sometime in the future, but I'd strongly prefer to watch it again so that I may refresh my memory when it comes to little things that either intrigued or disappointed me. Anyways, let us move on to the main subject of today's discussion.

Several days before Christmas, young Max is dreading a yearly visit from the assorted members of his mother's side of the family. While he wishes to continue with what can only be referred to as a "traditional" Xmas celebration and get-together, mounting tensions and disapproval between the adults and their own offspring prevent true happiness and comfort from occurring. Frustrated and upset with the entire situation, Max storms upstairs, angrily tears up a letter initially written for Santa Claus, and tosses it out of his window. Within no time, a massive snowstorm hits, cutting off all power around town. Trapped in the abode, the people of the household scrounge up what they can in order to stay warm and safe, but something far more sinister has surfaced outside: a demonic entity known only as "Krampus," who has come not to reward those who celebrate the holiday, but to punish instead.



As mentioned above, Ohio native (and all around cool guy) Michael Dougherty isn't a stranger to the realm of theme-based horror films. Quite a few years ago, the man dropped a ditty of a gem titled Trick 'r Treat, in which a series of short, clever stories set during Halloween night intertwined with one another, concocting easily the best anthology in the genre since George Romero's 1982 classic Creepshow. To say that expectations of his next project were high is perhaps the biggest understatement of this entire blog's history.


Thankfully, all of the anticipation pays off, as Krampus is the right kind of fun that is sorely needed in a time where folks such as myself are in desperate need of a good old-fashioned dose of fantasy to help us escape from a rather grim, and often more terrifying reality. Dougherty, along with his fellow cowriters Zach Shields and Todd Casey, concoct a picture that manages to take its PG-13 rating and run it to the very brink of insanity (in the best way possible). As pretentious as it may sound, the trio "get it." They aren't here to change the game, but they are damn sure determined to make sure that you and your friends will have something to talk and smile about after all is said and done.


Much like its predecessor, Krampus boasts a nice cast of recognizable faces to help lure in the casual viewer. Max's (Emjay Anthony) own family includes fan favorites such as Adam Scott (Parks and Recreation) and Toni Colette (Little Miss Sunshine, United States of Tara), but the young man himself should seem familiar to fans of 2014's comedy Chef. Comedic stalwarts such as David Koechner (Anchorman, The Office) and Conchata Ferrell (Two And A Half Men) also pop up as vibrant, if not slightly embarrassing members of the protagonist's extended family. They all provide important roles, and even if they aren't necessarily relatable human beings, the stereotypes of what they are based off of will seem and sound all too familiar to anybody who has ever dreaded seeing that one particular member that shares your name or connected tree. As wonderful as their presence can be at times, one can't help but feel that the latter's own children could fall into the dreaded "red shirt" category that admittedly befall a large amount of holiday-themed horror pictures. Still, these complaints are quite minor when you witness one of these brats being attacked by the titular being's own demonic, mischievous toys.


Oh I am truly sorry, did I mention those? Well, the numerous trailers certainly gave us a brief glimpse into Krampus' sack, but you honestly have no idea how fabulously creative and hilariously demented the sequences that involve these little critters really are. I would implore that you refrain from searching or googling anything beyond a still frame of the flick, because it will ruin and tarnish some of the surprise. Because of its safer rating branding, the decided lack of bloodshed and gore may break the hearts of more fickle and finicky fans, but what it lacks in violence, it makes up for in spades with pure, ballsy, and uncommon entertainment. Hell, to be perfectly honest, keeping my mouth shut on aspects of Krampus' greatness is just eating away at me. I would love to talk about the Coraline-esque animated segment sewed seamlessly into the story, but as someone who thoroughly detests spoilers, I shall respectfully remain silent.


The amount of love and admiration for classics of the past is quite easy to spot in Krampus, and over time, I could see it making a run for a spot in the list for best christmas-based horror films of all time. Yes, it is new, and yes, it does have some small problems here and there, but if you yearn for the same type of enjoyment, zaniness, and occasional jumps that you first experienced with pictures like Gremlins, then I can assuredly guarantee you that Krampus is right up your alley. Even if your interest is only marginal, I strongly encourage that you pay your hard-earned cash to catch it a theater, as we need more unique and free-flowing ideas to make their way to cinemas, rather than retreads or remakes.


Plus, why wait for only the new Star Wars movie? Let's support the little guy for once.