Humongous Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		4.0
Audio		3.0
Extras		4.0
Overall		3.0

Humongous Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf July 6, 2017

After scoring a hit with the 1980 disco-infused slasher film, “Prom Night,” director Paul Lynch remains with the genre that gave him a career, returning to scary business with 1982’s “Humongous.” While formula remains, putting young people against a shadowy evil, the setting has changed radically, with Lynch moving to a remote island to stage his chiller, using empty forests and houses to help with ambiance has he works to communicate a slightly more sophisticated motivation for a massacre.

Eric (David Wallace) and Nick (John Wildman) have borrowed a yacht, with plans to take girlfriends Sandy (Janet Julian) and Donna (Joy Boushel) on a special trip, hoping to soak up some sun and sex while at sea. Coming across a shipwreck in the night, the gang stops to help the lone survivor, wrecking the boat in the process. Trapped on nearby Dog Island, the gang is informed of the land’s deceased owner: a damaged woman who kept vicious attack dogs and gave birth to a deformed boy, whom she raised as a monster, and one that still resides on the island.

Lynch makes matters uncomfortable with the opening of “Humongous,” which details the island queen’s origin story, with a rape ruining her once pleasant life of comfort. The character’s transformation from spirited child to scarred woman is inventively tracked during the main titles, setting up understandable rage to come. However, Lynch lingers on the sexual assault, keeping “Humongous” in full exploitation mode when it often desires to be taken a bit more seriously as a thriller, finding an organic way to build a better monster that’s soon unleashed on the latest residents of Dog Island.

“Humongous” delivers a one-by-one murder pace, breaking up the action for expositional needs and a few survival challenges. Lynch doesn’t go crazy with gore zone visits, but extreme violence is present, giving the feature a proper goosing, helping to break the effort out of its periodic slumber, especially during needlessly protracted exploration scenes. “Humongous” might be a bit slow for slasher fans, but Lynch does well with basic performances and dark encounters, as half the picture makes extensive use of the night, keeping the true gruesomeness of the antagonist covered for as long as it can.

“Humongous” is presented in two versions: a Theatrical Cut (92:33) and an Unrated Cut (93:42).

Humongous Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

An apology from Scorpion Releasing is added at the start of the viewing experience, which put "Humongous" together from various sources, working with what was available. Wear and tear is present on the AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation, offering scratches, discoloration, and speckling. However, while noticeable, the shortcomings aren't distracting, as the majority of movie plays with encouraging clarity, providing a passable sense of texture to the island horror show, taking note of bare skin, location foliage and beach visits, and violent encounters. It remains on the softer side due to cinematographic limitations, but detail is fine. Colors are capable, bringing out deep greenery and period hues on costuming. Delineation is adequate, managing significant time in near-blackout conditions. Grain is chunkier but still filmic.

Humongous Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix isn't remarkable, but it supports the "Humongous" mood to satisfaction. Dialogue exchanges aren't pristine, but dramatic choices and panic levels are understood, without extremes that slip into distortion. Scoring is slightly dulled but effective, setting a synth mood, supporting suspense efforts. Sound effects are blunt but understood.

Update: It's been brought to my attention that audio issues are present on the disc, finding sound elements echoed and warped from 24:35 to 43:53 (Unrated Cut: 25:43 - 45:01). The track does encounter oddness during this period, which runs for a full film reel, but having never seen "Humongous" before, it didn't strike me as unusual at the time, as many of these obscure titles offer funky sound elements due to production limitations. I extend my deepest apologies for not mentioning the issue in the original review. While I don't believe it severs the experience of watching "Humongous," it's a situation that should've been identified.

Humongous Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• "Katarina's Nightmare Theater" (3:49, SD) is an intro from Katarina Leigh Waters, who welcomes viewers to the movie and shares IMDB info about the cast and crew.

• Commentary features director Paul Lynch and writer William Gray.

• Interview (21:37, HD) with David Wallace covers his experience as the co-lead of "Humongous," recalling his audition process and memories of his co-stars. Wallace also shares his first impressions of "Humongous," thinking the film to be a little too dark during its theatrical release. The conversation soon turns to Wallace's time on "Mortuary," sharing impressions of co-star Bill Paxton and director Howard Avedis, who tried to pressure the young actor into nudity, eventually using a double for rear exposure during a love scene that couldn't fool Wallace's mother.

• And a Theatrical Trailer (1:14, SD) is included.

Humongous Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Humongous" eventually reaches a full charge, but it takes some time to get there. Lynch doesn't rush himself, but the reward is a mildly atmospheric endeavor that enjoys the perks of genre expectations, including nudity and bloodshed, but tries to deliver a different type of backstory before unleashing familiar kills and chases.