Krampus

Having already given horror fans Trick 'r Treat for Halloween, director Michael Dougherty turns his attention to Christmas, delivering festive escapement and frights with Krampus, in which an evil creature - an 'anti-Santa' - pays a visit to a family who have lost their seasonal spirit.

I'm not one for saccharine, family-friendly Xmas movies with a cheery ending (my initials aren't BAH for nothing), and I relish the thought of some demented Christmas comedy/horror. Krampus takes a while to get into the swing of things, but once it does, it's non-stop fun, getting darker and darker as it goes on.

Things start out light-hearted enough, with an amusing opening credits sequence that mocks the commercialism of Christmas, and the film continues in this manner up to the moment when disillusioned Santa fan Max (Emjay Anthony) tears up his letter to the jolly old man, an act that is as good as an invitation to Krampus and his helpers.

From hereon-in, it's twisted entertainment, as the family (including their National Lampoon's Vacation-style relatives) are captured one-by-one by the horned, cloven-hoofed Krampus, a gang of wicked ginger-bread men, a massive jack-in-a-box, a terrible teddy, a creepy doll, and some nasty elves. Dougherty handles the action with skill, providing moderate scares and silliness in the vein of that other holiday comedy/horror classic, Gremlins.

After a lot of enjoyable Chrimbo chaos, with Max's family all captured by Krampus, it looks as though Dougherty has run out of ideas with an 'it was all a dream' conclusion, but a final shot ensures us that all is not as it seems.

While not quite in the same league as Gremlins (largely thanks to the slow start and a lack of Phoebe Cates), Krampus should provide those who struggle with seasonal cheer with a few ho-ho-hos and some memorable monster fun.

"this movie is stupid!" They say. Yeah I know it is. That's the point. Do you think they didn't know that when they were making it? They knew it was stupid. That's what makes it really kind of great.

Come into this movie with no expectations, and you'll be really quite surprised. It's a lot of fun, it's very funny and it's got a nice Christmas warmth to it that you wouldn't expect. Yeah it's goofy, but that's the bloody point.

Krampus. The shadow of Santa Claus. The punisher of naughty children. One Christmas a somewhat disfunctional American family have their lives ruined when a young boy summons him by accident. Many Christmas horror movies are slashers so Krampus makes a good alternative. This is a good combination of horror, fantasy and comedy. It certainly starts off with the emphasis on humour but becomes darker as it progresses. Although much of the cast is comprised of young kids I think it would be unsuitable for pre teen children. There are a few good jump moments plus plenty of on screen violence. A bit of swearing too. Credit to David Koechner and Conchata Ferrell, great performances delivering much of the humour. Toys coming to life reminded me of some horror movies from the 80's/early 90's. Trouble I found here is that much action takes place in the loft and there was too much going on in a confined space. Without giving it away there was a good twist at the end. I certainly would not call Krampus a classic Festive horror movie but it is better than many others, I enjoyed it.

It is Christmas and Engels, parents Tom and Sarah, children Max and Beth and grandmother 'Omi', have invited Sarah's siblings and their families to stay in their large home. From the moment they open the door it is clear that they are, to put it mildly, less refined... Max's dream of a lovely Christmas is doomed. Upset he tears up his letter to Santa and throws it out of the window... little knowing that he will summon Krampus; a demonic spirit who punishes those who haven't been as good as they might have been. A blizzard hits the town and the power goes out... soon people start being taken and attacked by demented versions of Christmas favourites.

I quite enjoyed this film. Although I don't think it is in the same league it should appeal to those who enjoyed the mean-spirited Christmas mayhem of 'Gremlins'. It opens really well with a familiar Christmas song playing over scenes of near riot in a pre-Christmas sale before introducing us the 'normal' Engels and their somewhat dysfunctional relatives. Once the scares start they build nicely; at first we only get glimpses of the potential danger but later we see them in all their demented glory... I loved the gingerbread men armed with a nail-gun! Grampus himself is suitable scary; like a horned anti-Father Christmas. There are some decent scary moments and quite a few laughs but nothing really disturbing. The cast does a fine job and the special effects are impressive. Overall I wouldn't say this is a must see but I can see it being a festive favourite among horror fans.

"Krampus", based on actual folklore in Germany and Austria, may not be without faults, but damn if it isn't a reasonably impressive new addition to the canon of Yuletide genre movies. It starts out as an obnoxious domestic comedy, as one family welcomes their grating relatives in for the holidays. Young Max, played by the very appealing Emjay Anthony, is so distraught by the friction between his kin that he destroys his letter to Santa and turns his back on the Christmas season. Big mistake: an imposing demon named Krampus makes it his mission to punish - make that SEVERELY punish - all those who lose their hopes and beliefs. Soon, horrible weather conditions presage an escalating series of terrors for Max and company.

Co-written and directed by Michael Dougherty, who also gave us a modern Halloween favorite in the form of "Trick r Treat", this is surprisingly engaging entertainment. However, it's not so much a horror comedy, as it is a full-blown horror movie with some moments of levity. Despite the PG-13 rating, it's not for the youngest members of your own family due to some incredible intensity. It does take on the tones of a nightmare.

It does have its pleasures, such as a rich variety of "monsters", which are huge, hideous abominations of familiar toys and goodies. (This viewers' personal favorite was the anaconda sized Jack in the box.) There is some very potent atmosphere and quite a bit of macabre imagery filling up the 2.35:1 frame.

How one responds to the protagonists will most likely affect how they respond to the film. Yours truly wouldn't have minded seeing almost everybody get theirs. Still, the actors give it 100%: Adam Scott and Toni Collette as Maxs' parents, David Koechner as the gun loving uncle, Conchata Ferrell as the grumpy great aunt, and Krista Stadler as the wise grandmother who knows the score, right from the start.

A solid diversion overall, with some groan inducing dialogue and moments but quite a bit of energy & pizazz and a twisted nature.

Seven out of 10.