Little Shop Of Horrors [Blu-ray] [1986] [Region Free]

Absolutely love this film. Very entertaining and funny. Fast delivery.

Little Shop of Horrors is a comedy horror musical released in 1986. The movie was directed by muppet legend Frank Oz and is an adaption of a 1982 Broadway musical production composed by Alan Menken and written by Howard Ashman. The film stars Rick Moranis and Ellen Greene with some great supporting roles including Steve Martin, John Candy and Bill Murray. The voice of Audrey II is none other than Levi Stubbs, well known as a musician from The Four Tops. The film takes place in the early '60s in a run down part of New York. Seymour (Moranis) works at a flower shop, one that is down on its luck on the verge of closing. By some amount of luck, he comes across this strange plant. One so captivating, that it brings in customers by the dozen. Bringing the business back to life. When the plant starts wilting, he has to quickly find a cure or risk the fame and fortune. The cure is quite interestingly, human blood. After each feeding, the plant grows in size and eventually grows into a funky singing personality. On top of this, Seymour is madly in love with Audrey (Greene). The woman he named the plant after. We follow poor Seymour as he tries to balance his love for both Audrey's and keeps its secret diet hidden. The movie is a fairly strange one. It's got a very dark sense of humour and isn't the innocent love story that it portrays. There are moments of pure sugary lovey-dovey yuckiness. But it's always wrapped around some evil joke about dismemberment, sadism, jealousy or spousal abuse. This is always done in a '50s doowop singing style. It's a strange mix of styles and really sticks out from a lot of films of the time. As a film, it's very easy to follow. The story is pretty basic and the characters are so up front that it would be impressively difficult to lose track of what is going on. It's also a nice easy ninety five minutes long, not really dragging out for a second. My favourite moments in the film are by far the small role, the mad dentist Steve Martin. His song is great fun and the humour is right on the money. It might be a bit sinister for some, but it always cracks me up. The music is pretty good through out. Rick Moranis has a great singing voice and makes for a great duet with Ellen Greene. Though, she very quickly over shadows him vocally when she starts belting it out. She may have had a very noticeable lisp and soft spoken dialogue, but she can really go when the song demands it of her. Of course, Levi Stubbs really steals the show as Audrey II. The voice and songs from the great space plant are easily the most memorable parts of the film. I was really impressed with the quality of the bluray. There wasn't any problems with the visual or audio elements, not one. It's a truly fantastic bluray. The screen clarity and strong colours look fantastic. Audrey II's green and purples really jump out. It's pretty crazy to look at it. It hasn't aged a day. The audio surround mix is fantastic. There's isn't any signs of age on the track. The bass and mids are all there, complimenting the style of music beautifully. I don't know if people would put this movie up there with the likes of Grease or The Blues Brothers, it is quite a contrast in styles. But it doesn't take much to see the uniqueness behind it. The music is well done, it's quite striking visually and that sense of humour, you couldn't do that now. If you're like me and love that '50s music and enjoy a good evil chuckle, this definitely one for your collection.

This review, surprise, surprise, is all about the director's cut. I won't give too much away for those that aren't aware. But the original ending of the film had quite a different ending tot he one most will be familiar with. This Blu Ray offers both versions and, crucially, is viewable on Region and 2 equipment. This means that if you prefer the ending that plays whenever the film is shown on TV, you can. More importantly, it means you can view the extended, positively epic version of the film that has been kept from us for so long. In essence this means a much darker, longer ending with wall to wall special effects, all to the strains of the song "Don't feed the Plants." And yes, in case you are wondering, the special effects have all been finished and and the transition from the rest of the film seamless. All in all then, a classic just got better. And if you have a soft spot for the more upbeat version (and who can blame you if you do, given Rick Moranisis's and Ellen Greene's peerless performances), it is here too. A simply must have Blu Ray.

I did this musical as a school play 2 years ago (I was the plant puppeteer) and fell in love with the beauty and magic of the play and then went on to buy the 1987 Film. The music and lyrics are beautifully created with the joint team of the amazinging Alan Menken and Howard Ashman. The songs sent shivers down my spine as I remembered them from our school play of it. All actors were brilliant at the songs. Audrey (Ellen Greene) did, however, scare me a little in "Suddenly Seymour" when she changed from her Audrey voice singing to her true voice singing. Rick Moranis (Seymour) surprised me a little with his singing, I was unaware he was such a good singer, he's acting lacked a little bit in areas, but then again a lot of the acting lacked in certain parts. This isn't unusual thoough in some musicals. Ellen Grenne (Audrey) was equally as brilliant and her 'Audrey' voice was quite convincing. Steve Martin (Orin Scrivillo, Dentist) played a very funny sadistic dentist and again I was surprised by his singing voice, even though he put on a voice to do it and only had one song, he was brilliant in the role. The voice of Levi Stubbs (of The Four Tops) was a brilliant choice to play the part of blood loving plant Audrey 2. His singing was amazing, and I truely don't think any other voice would have helped to personify the plant. The three street girls: Chiffon (Tisha Campbell-Martin), Ronette (Michelle Weeks) and Crystal (Tichina Arnold) brought a glamour to the film that it couldn't have done with out. They're singing was brilliant, a perfect Motown/Soul/R&B style with matching costumes you would have seen on the same style singers from the 60's and 70's like the Supremes and Marvelettes. Chiffon, Ronnette and Crystal are actually names of Motown/Soul groups. (The Chiffons, The Ronnettes and The Crystals) As i said, the acting at times lacked a little believabilty, mainly in Rick Moranis' role. The animatronics of Audrey 2 was brilliant, I don't think any of it was CGI. All the scenery in this film looked very Broadway musical-ish, the fact that it looked fake made it look good, it added to the eccentricity of the film. The only big draw back for the film for me was the ending. The ending where the plant eats Audrey and Seymour was removed, as was the finally song "Don't Feed The Plants" and was replaced for a happier ending. This really was the only down point for this film for me. If you're a fan of the works of Menken/Ashman, or of musicals, or romances, or comedies or man eating plants, then you'll find enjoyment in this film, as will anyone really.

I grew up on this movie and it's probably the best musical EVER! But don't think just because it's a musical that you won't love It instantly. Rick Moranis is AWESOME as he always is in his roles. Its a shame he gave up acting. A younger black haired Steve Martin teaming up to do a great scene with Bill Murray at the dentist office and if you look carefully you can spot a very young Tichina Arnold and Tisha Cambell make appearances. Plus Jim Belushi and the late great John Candy. This is a great film with many laughs, VERY catchy songs and a fun story. It will also make you think twice about getting certain kinds of house plants. A great purchase......I haven't even watched my copy yet!!!!!

great film bought to relive my childhood (im 24 lol) and to go with my fav childhood films

Brilliant

Just to be clear, I am reviewing the Region Free Director's Cut blu ray. I was wary of buying this at first because I wasn't sure if the theatrical cut was included, but in the end I chanced it. It does include the theatrical version, as well as some excellent extras and the wonderful director's cut. I won't go into too much detail about the story - if you are looking at this you probably have seen the theatrical version before and to say too much about the director's cut would spoil it. But as one who loved the 'happy ending' version, I have to say I really enjoyed the version as originally scripted just as much. And it is a crying shame that the special effects finale has been unseen for so long. I cannot praise this blu ray highly enough, in fact. The picture quality is superb, the sound excellent, and the extras genuinely entertaining. And it definitely works without the slightest hitch on a British blu ray player, so if you had any worries about that, put them from your mind and buy this- you won't regret it.