Nerds That Geek Movie Review: 'Little Shop of Horrors (1986)'

Written by John edward Betancourt

​While I do my best to enjoy just about every single genre of cinema out there, simply because I never know what wonders will await me when it comes to a particular film, I honestly struggle to enjoy musicals when all is said and done. Obviously, there’s nothing wrong with them because I’ve seen some fun ones in my day, but it’s incredibly difficult for me to get excited about seeing one and I find it’s hard to keep my mind focused on them when I do settle in to watch one. 
 
I’m not exactly sure why they don’t tickle my creative fancy and that’s okay. Because what matters more is that they make plenty of people happy and if someone recommends one to me, I’ll make sure to make the time and watch it, because hey, you never know whether or not I’ll find a musical that tickles my fancy and in all honesty, keeping that kind of philosophy when it comes to this particular genre has paid off in spades. For while my wall of movies is filled to the brim with zombie flicks and superheroes and aliens from another world, there are in fact a few musicals on the shelves as well, and one of my all-time personal favorites, is the 1986 iteration of Little Shop of Horrors.
 
Now for those of you unfamiliar with this film, it’s a science fiction/horror themed musical about a lonely and forgotten man named Seymour Krelborn, who finds his life turned upside down when a beautiful plant arrives on Earth after a total eclipse of the sun. Because this magnificent piece of greenery, named Audrey II (after the woman he loves), can talk, and it craves blood and it’s done a fine job of enticing Seymour to do its bidding and if Seymour cannot figure out how to free himself from its bloodthirsty machinations, his life and the life of everyone he’s ever cared about is going to be in jeopardy since Audrey II has some terrifying (and delicious) plans for the future of mankind…

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So, let’s not waste any time and discuss exactly what it is that makes this film so memorable and so wonderful, and that’s the musical numbers. Because everyone involved with this motion picture clearly figured out what exactly would take a musical to the next level and perfect songs are the key to that and well, the ones in this movie are downright flawless. Because every single song in this film is incredibly catchy, and they get you moving, and these toe-tapping tunes suck you into what is in fact, a wild and crazy film, because let’s be honest, the plot is pretty over the top. 
 
But the true magic of this film, is the sheer fact that an outlandish plot never spirals out of control and that’s thanks in large part to the acting and the special effects. Because the cast (Rick Moranis in particular), do a fine job of playing their roles just straight enough so that the crazier moments in the story have gravity and my goodness, is Audrey II a true marvel when it comes to practical special effects. Because this wicked plant really is a living and breathing character in this story, adding realism to the whole experience, and I tip my cap to the effects team and actor Levi Stubbs (who provides Audrey II’s voice) for making this character work so well on screen.
 
If anything, this film is just downright fun, and the added cameos from Steve Martin, John Candy and Bill Murray only further enhance that since they are just a delight in their respective roles and when all is said and done, this really is a modern classic when it comes to musicals. It’s unique, it’s silly and it really struck a chord with audiences everywhere thanks to its charm and catchy tunes and I know that every single time I bring this movie up in conversation, people either sing a bar from their favorite song from the film, or smile wide as they remember the first time they heard Audrey II say ‘Feed me, Seymour’ and well, if by chance you haven’t seen this one, or are like me and are cautious when it comes to musicals, just see this one, because it’s just a true delight through and through. 

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