The Boogens

Despite a title that provokes laughter and/or bewilderment, this is an effective monster film, well directed by James L. Conway, who creates an eerie and claustrophobic feel in the remote Colorado locations, where a re-opened mine unleashes underground monsters that kill nearby residents. Interesting opening uses old newspaper clippings to tell the back story on how the mine had been closed decades earlier after mysterious killings occurred. Only downside is that, when the monsters are revealed at the end, they do not impress, since they do look silly, but are an effective menace in the shadows, with their sinister roaring creating an atmospheric feel that leads to a memorable fiery climax. Worth a look, and not terrible like some critics claimed.

The Boogens is a good fright flick. It plays well on the fear of dark abandon mine shafts, and creepy old buildings. I gave it a "7" out of ten - mostly because of the effectiveness that the movie sets in its atmosphere, from the opening sequence of old photographs and news stories that set the stage for the movie, to the ending - which I found really funny - in a good sort of B-movie way.

Boogens, The (1982) * 1/2 (out of 4) 70 years after a mine was closed a few idiots decide to reopen in and by doing so they let out mutant turtles. This film was mildly entertaining. Why mildly entertaining you ask? It keeps itself entertaining because the viewing keeps waiting and waiting for something great to happen but in the case of this film nothing great ever does happen so after waiting 90-minutes you'll end the movie being very upset. How in the hell could someone make a horror film and then not do anything until the final five minutes? I thought they were just doing the old Roger Corman trick of hiding the monsters until closing to the end but not even Corman would wait 90-minutes.

The "Boogens" are scaly monsters that look somewhat like giant turtles with lots of sharp, nasty teeth. They are released from an abandoned, boarded-up silver mine in Colorado and proceed to do away with character after character. Is this a slasher? A creature feature? Both? It is a fun piece of early 1980s horror cinema, that is what it is. And although these are actors you will probably never see anywhere else, that is part of what makes them perfect for this low-key, somewhat obscure movie. The creatures themselves are well-made. Apparently only one was made and was just reused throughout the film. Which makes sense, since there is never a huge swarm.

This was the first horror film my parents ever took me to in a movie theater. I was only 11 yrs old when I first watched this film, and I remained mentally scarred for many years to follow. (I couldn't enter the garage by myself without first looking under our car to check for teeth and tentacles). This is certainly a silly movie by today's horror standards, but scary enough to give any child nightmares for awhile. Come on folks and watch it with your kids!

Granted when we finally get to see the creatures, they are laughable, but the makers had the foresight to not unveil the monsters until the credits where about to role. That may not appeal to others, but trust me, you'll be happy that they waited. The story is solid as there aren't any gaping plot holes like so many horror films. The characters are genuine and easily related with. The plot has four men opening up a deserted mine, which allows the title creatures freedom to kill. There are several nail-biting scenes that are handled well, and the actors are all capable. Fred McCarren and Jeff Harlan are splendid as the young miners, and Sledgehammer's Anne-Marie Martin chews up a good ten minutes of terror as she tries to fight off a boogen. I fell for Rebecca Balding after watching this, as she has that sexy but sensitive girl-next-door quality lost on so many actresses. You can't go wrong with this film, I urge you to pick it up.