Monster in the Closet

Troma aren't exactly well known for high quality horror films, and this one fits the bill pretty well in the quality stakes; but it's actually more childish than the usual gory Troma output. The film is something of a spoof of the monster movie genre and, as the title suggests, focuses on the childhood fear of a monster in the closet. The film kicks off with a few mysterious murders and it's not long before the horrible closet monster is revealed. The monster itself is an extremely camp creation and is sure to leave most audience members in stitches - not usually the desired effect for a monster but the film is obviously intended to be tongue in cheek and the monster is actually a very original creation. I really wasn't expecting anything at all decent from this film, but in fairness to it; it's actually quite decent. There's nothing particularly clever about it; though the idea of the monster 'recharging' in closets is nice in that it seems to be a ham-fisted way of explaining the whole closet monster idea. The characters and plot line surrounding the monster are interesting and entertaining and Monster in the Closet is at least a decent way to waste ninety minutes or so.

I think anyone who calls themselves a purveyor of b-cinema has seen their fair share of Troma films. If you haven't seen a Lloyd Kaufman produced film, or at least seen his face show up in a ton of bad movies that his company has bought then it's time to turn your bad movie watching up a notch. Monster in The Closet comes from a time where the company was busy making their own b-flicks instead of buying them, and like most of the movies Troma made, they can be pretty hit or miss. Although, mostly entertaining.

Monster in the Closet is no exception, taking the cliches of 50's monster movies and pooping a few jokes their way. An intrepid Clark Kent style reporter, a love interest, her son, and older scientist try to stop the onslaught of a monster who travels through closets to kill Americans. It's goofy and fun, but also not amazing. The monster suit is the best part of the film, and seeing it wander about like a mini rancor with xenomorph inner face punchy thingy is a lot of fun. Poking fun at the military from the old monster flicks also worked really well for me, as they were always so dumb and ineffective against giant lobsters, and praying mantises...Manti? Where the movie doesn't work is the long shots of wandering about, the constant bombardment of noise mixed with the damn tune they keep hitting on the xylophone, and some really annoying characters. I know this as all in the spirit of those older films, but they were b-movies for a reason. These things ware not good in those movies, nor are the good in this one.

Monster in the Closet is still fun, and there is a lot of good to be seen with the monster itself, and the jokes that land. Also, Paul Walker and Fergie are kids in this movie, so there is that if you need casting trivia. Although not my favorite, I would still recommend this film. its silly enough to have fun with...Also, 1986 PG-rated movies had some nudity...

Watching Monster In A Closet I'd say the film hit about 60% of the time with gags it employed in this film. But I warn you had better have seen a lot of classic science fiction about monsters coming to earth or being discovered here already or you won't get half of what is shown.

I think about half the budget must have been spent on getting some name guest stars to do their thing and support the two less than charismatic leads Donald Grant and Denise Dubarry. But when you get folks like Claude Akins as the redneck sheriff, Henry Gibson as an eccentric scientist, Stella Stevens as a woman in a shower, Jesse White as a hardboiled newspaper editor, Howard Duff as a rather vacuous priest, and John Carradine who is one of the first victims this becomes an item to take a look at.

I really liked what Howard Duff did with the priest. He must have watched Alec Guinness did with his vicar character in Kind Hearts And Coronets.

You even get to see young Paul Walker make his screen debut as a genius kid everyone calls the Professor.

You'll recognize so many moments from some classic monster films, I dare not tell you.

I agree with most of the posts that this was a pretty good 'bad' movie (as cheap as it was I thought the monster was creepy looking!) But didn't anyone notice that the movie is one big gay joke?

The whole 'in the closet' thing

The way the monster reacts to the hunky guy (there's no reason to imply that the monster was female)

It's final march to, where else, San Francisco!

I don't think it affected the film at all. But it's really weird that a goofy, low-budget, comedy-horror movie would try to have some kind of 'message' like this. And I'm not even sure whether its pro or con!

MONSTER IN THE CLOSET is a wonderful monster / sci-fi movie parody. The humor is well-placed, the monster is well-realized, and the characters are just nutty enough to not be annoying. Some of the satirical genre references are hilarious, especially those concerning CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND and THE THING.

Two personal favorite scenes are: John Carradine as the old blind guy, and Stella Stevens in the shower. Hysterical!

Highly recommended for all horror spoof addicts...