Monstrosity

Monstrosity is a terrible film. Every aspect of it is poorly executed. But the real problem with Monstrosity is that about 20 minutes into the film, it becomes a self-aware, over-the-top comedy. It's much more entertaining to watch a film genuinely attempt something that is so absurd and awful than watching one that is aware of it's shortcomings and essentially gives up. Monstrosity concerns a group of young men, one of whom's girlfriend has been brutally raped and beaten and THEN killed by the same assailant in her hospital room (making for a crazy, distasteful, ultra-violent first 20 minutes). The young men (mulletts and 80's getup included) decide to make a golem/frankensteinesque avenger. When the avenger finally comes to life, it's a ridiculous giant retard with a gorilla's arm and red afro who murders bad guys with an ax. There are some funny jokes in the film, along with the occasional bad taste moment making the film feel sort of like a cross between Blood Sucking Freaks and a poorer man's Toxic Avenger. The film does offer a glimpse of 80's Hollywood, funny hair, and almost non-stop repetition of one of the most annoying music cues in history (listen closely, there's a metal guitar solo going nuts underneath that music cue). All in all a worthwhile watch as you aren't going to find many films like MONSTROSITY.

After his girlfriend is murdered by some punks, Mark (David Homb) does the only natural thing to do - he and his two friends play Dr. Frankenstein and construct a monster to get revenge. They end up with Frankie (Hal Borske), a mixture of man and gorilla (!) who they give punk clothes and a red afro wig. Frankie does their bidding rather easily and offs the punks before the 1 hour mark. The rest has Frankie falling for punk rockette Jaimie (Carrie Anita) and the guys getting power hungry with their new creation. So how does Milligan fare in the 1980s? Well, his film definitely looks better than the 1970s efforts I've seen (THE GHASTLY ONES, BLOODTHIRSTY BUTCHERS), but it still has the same flat direction. It wasn't until about a half hour into this that I realized it was supposed to be a comedy, a fact cleverly hidden by the awful acting on display. The special effects are a slight notch above Milligan's earlier efforts. Look for the same severed hand to be used twice. Also look for a police suspect photo book that shows the pages are empty with every turn and a crew member reflected in a mirror in the guys' garage/lab.

Monstrosity (1987)

1/2 (out of 4)

A man's girlfriend is brutally murdered by thugs so his friends talk him into building a golem. They end up naming the golem Frankie (after Frankenstein) and soon they have him killing some bad guys but not long into his mission he falls in love with a woman who also loves him.

This here turned out to be one of Andy Milligan's final pictures and it's clear that the director was turning out awful movies in this late period just like he was in his early days. MONTROSITY is thankfully so awful that you can actually get some mild entertainment out of it. With that said, that incredibly horrid Milligan pacing is on hand and keeps it from being better.

The film is only going to appeal to fans of Milligan or those who enjoy awful movies. On a technical level this film is pretty awful with some of the worst editing that you're ever going to see. Even worse is some of the performances, which are just downright embarrassing. This here is especially true during the scenes where the three friends are slap-happy when they decide to make this golem. The way they carry on is just stupid and what's even worse is the "It's Alive!!!" yet, which is of course paying homage to James Whale's FRANKENSTEIN.

The love story involving the woman is just strange to say the least. There are some incredible campy moments throughout the picture including the actual look of the monster. He really looks like Ronald McDonald gone really bad with the red hair and the really bad looking fake eyeball hanging out. The dialogue is also extremely awful but leads to a few laughs. This Milligan picture also offers up some gore, which is something we didn't normally get.

MONSTROSITY actually lives up to its title. At 93 minutes the film drags really bad and this here keeps the film from being more entertaining.

I have seen a lot of film and honestly I have never seen anything quite like this (it is my first Milligan film). The film starts with a serious tone of rape and murder. The production level being pretty minimal. Then the film turns wierdly slapstick, it's like watching an 80s version of Laurel and Hardy. Then you get gore that would be pretty grim if it was done at any level of realism. This gore is so inept you would think that Milligan went out of his way to make it look so bad! Women get brutalized, a smidgen of bare breast, then back to slapstick. The camera work is professional at times and then you yet shots and editing that are again almost purposely bad. The dialogue is pretty much all bad.

I enjoyed it very much. I will learn more about Milligan as I watch more of his films but it appears to me that he has more purpose and style than any lack of talent. Oh, and almost everyone who sees this will hate it. Those that will enjoy it... well, you know who you are!

Ok, so you guys thought Ed Wood was a hack? Worst director ever? I think you need to re-evaluate your previous ideals and look into Andy Milligan. Although I state worst director does not in return mean that I think he's horrible. I would like to see Milligan become another director with one of those cult like followings. Monstrosity was one of those films where I had to sit myself down and say "I only paid $7.99, I only paid $7.99," but I did enjoy it..for $7.99 (I bought the double feature dvd that also featured Weisman's Graverobbers aka Dead Mate). This is one of those films where you have to go in with an open mind...I was laughing...but I'm not even sure if it was a good laugh or an "I'm slowly going insane" laugh..The ending of the movie didn't seem quite right along with bits and pieces of the movie..but I'm sure that's just due to an extremely low budget. For hardcore horror fans and open minded movie lovers I suggest this film but with caution. May cause mild post traumatic stress disorder due to the extreme weirdness. Enjoy! And remember Frankie loves Teddy!