Rating summary

Movie		2.5
Video		4.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		5.0
Overall		4.5

Hell Comes to Frogtown Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf September 5, 2019

One might expect 1988’s “Hell Comes to Frogtown” to be an irresistible mix of the violent and the bizarre. It’s a ready-made cult offering that’s blessed with an unmissable title, a wacky premise, and the bruised charms of its leading man, the great pro-wrestler, “Rowdy” Roddy Piper (who sadly passed away in 2015). While Piper brings his wildman attitude to the endeavor and screenwriter Randall Frakes does his part by inventing a post-apocalyptic wasteland populated with mutant frogs, director Donald G. Jackson (shadowed by R.J. Kizer) practically refuses to transform the effort into an unstoppable showcase of the absurd, struggling to overcome what appears to be a painfully underfunded production that doesn’t do enough to secure a rip-roarin’ pace with plenty of unusual encounters.

As Earth recovers from a nuclear holocaust, sterilization rules, making an outlaw like Sam Hell (“Rowdy” Roddy Piper) a prize, with his virility leaving behind a string of pregnancies across the wasteland. The Med Tech unit of the government wants to use Sam’s powers to repopulate the Earth, capturing the wanted man and slapping a chastity belt-like device on him, putting him into the care of Spangle (Sandahl Bergman). Learning of a hostage situation in mutant frog territory, where Commander Toty (Brian Frank) has turned a group of fertile humans into his harem, Spangle makes a plan to infiltrate his compound and rescue the young women with help from Sam, who’s tasked with impregnating the group when the mission is completed.

“Hell Comes to Frogtown” doesn’t have much money to spend on the basics of post-apocalyptic entertainment, though it does have a plot that could easily go to some appealingly disturbed areas of action and comedy. Instead of a romp, Jackson drags the material around, sticking to a routine of dimly lit rooms and featureless desert locations to help detail Sam’s fight for dignity as his penis becomes government property, forced into a rescue and seduction mission he doesn’t want anything to do with. “Hell Comes to Frogtown” has the working parts of a shoot-em-up farce, but the helmer doesn’t have the ability to launch the picture in any distinct way, keeping things quite bland as Sam enjoys lengthy conversations with Spangle (his captor and secret admirer), Looney Tunes (Rory Calhoun) an inside man living in the mutant zone, and various walking and talking frogs. Creature design work from Steve Wang does well with no noticeable coin spent on the movie, giving frog encounters some visual lift, but Jackson doesn’t make the film exciting, trying to get by on mild shenanigans, including repeated references to a frog seduction dance Spangle is forced to perform for a visibly excited Toty.

Hell Comes to Frogtown Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation is billed as "Newly scanned & restored in 4K from its 35mm interpositive." The results are impressive, with a fresh sense of texture from the low-budget effort, picking up on rougher skin particulars and makeup achievements on the mutant frogs, making creative attempts easy to appreciate. Sets are open for inspection, and clothing remains fibrous, dealing with silkier undergarments and weathered post-apocalyptic gear. Outdoor adventures maintain dimension. Colors are communicative, managing amphibian and human skintones comfortably. Club and military interiors deliver strong primaries, while more direct hues, such as Spangle's pink car, make their intended impression. Delineation is secure, without solidification. Source is in strong shape, without major areas of damage. Mild judder is detected.

Hell Comes to Frogtown Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix handles the basics of "Hell Comes to Frogtown" without concern. Dialogue exchanges are largely comfortable, clarifying somewhat mumbled performances from Piper and the frogs. Scoring is satisfactory, with decent instrumentation and position, never overwhelming the track. Sound effects deliver acceptable gun fire and explosions, and atmospherics are fine.

Hell Comes to Frogtown Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary features writer Randall Frakes and co-writer/director Donald G. Jackson.

• "Mean and Green" (55:43, HD) is a lengthy conversation with Frakes, who's ready to share information about his days on "Hell Comes to Frogtown." A personal history is recounted, extending to time working in Roger Corman's shop, where Frakes met Jackson, eager to help the struggling moviemaker with the sale of projects to New World Films, including "Roller Blade." With "Hell Comes to Frogtown," the title came first, leaving Frakes just a few days to complete a screenplay, with an initial intent to make a DTV feature for the home video boom of the 1980s. New World turned the project into a theatrical release with certain stipulations, and Frakes recounts battles with makeup, casting, and compromises that altered the writing, eventually leaving the project for two weeks. The interviewee offers his first impression of the endeavor, noting changes from script to screen, and details aborted plans for a different sequel and a possible network television show. Frakes closes with a summation of the picture's cult longevity.

• "Grappling with Green" (22:16, HD) sits down with "Rowdy" Roddy Piper to explore his participation in "Hell Comes to Frogtown," with his casting even surprising him, forcing the professional wrestler to deal with a new set of challenges as his thespian talents were molded. Piper admits he didn't have an agreeable relationship with Jackson, who didn't have patience with his lead actor's lack of experience. The interviewee is all over the place at times (that's the Piper way), but he does comment on the movie's attempt at realism, difficulty working with desert locations, and the professionalism of his co-stars, launching into an amusing anecdote about his inability to hide the script's sexual content from his wife. Thoughts on the premiere of "Hell Comes to Frogtown" are shared, and Piper goes deep while considering the disappointments of his acting career and his glory when "They Live" debuted at the top of the box office in 1988.

• "Amphibian Armageddon" (14:10, HD) is a breezy chat with Brian Frank, who portrayed Commander Toty. After making his way in the commercial realm, Frank was pulled into movies due to his size, excited to play a mutant frog and make his screen debut. Difficulties working in the claustrophobic suit are recounted, managing sweltering temps while wearing a frog mask, and Frank reveals his attempt to fashion a character out of Toty. Co-stars are assessed, with Piper bringing Cyndi Lauper to the set one afternoon, making a big impression on Frank. While he's now comfortable with cult praise for "Hell Comes to Frogtown," Frank admits he wasn't even aware it was released for a period of time, quickly putting the experience behind him.

• "Creature Feature Creator" (15:30, HD) examines the special effects of "Hell Comes to Frogtown" with designer Steve Wang, who was initially hired without much of a budget, practically making the movie for the credit alone. Mutant frog concepts are discussed, along with design inspirations, and Wang brings out an actual head used in the production, pointing out the details. Limited funds prevented a major exploration of this post-apocalyptic world, and Wang comments on the actors, his blissful unawareness of political content in the screenplay, and time his Hollywood, trying to make a name for himself.

• Alternate Scene (2:31, SD) showcases a lengthier introduction for Sam and Captain Devlin.

• And a Theatrical Trailer (1:52, HD) is included.

Hell Comes to Frogtown Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Hell Comes to Frogtown" doesn't do enough with its potential sleaziness, as Jackson pulls back some when encountering the potential to track Sam's sexual reputation. Action only truly heats up in the finale, unleashing Piper with his B-movie hero appeal with a semi-"Mad Max" vibe, though the production can only muster some light combat in the desert, not a proper demolition derby. There are moments of amusement in "Hell Comes to Frogtown," but it's crazy to watch Jackson play it so safe, avoiding most opportunities to go berserk with an army of mutant frogs, post-nuke horniness, and Piper in action mode.