Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		4.5
Audio		3.5
Extras		5.0
Overall		4.0

Pumpkinhead Blu-ray Movie Review

Today, we recognize Stan Winston as one of the greats in the world of special effects. He mastered the artform, bringing to life stunning creatures for classics such as “Aliens,” “Terminator 2,” and “Predator.” Winston (who passed away in 2008) was a titan, but in 1987, he was looking to create a directorial career for himself, making his debut with 1988’s “Pumpkinhead.” The helmer is playing to his strengths with the picture, in charge of a revenge film that features an enormous monster on the hunt for helpless victims. The screenplay by Mark Patrick Carducci and Gary Gerani attempts to give the crisis weight, dealing with moral choices and the pain of guilt, but “Pumpkinhead” tends to reach fantastic genre highlights when it gets away from somewhat fatigued dramatics. It truly roars ahead with an intimidating demon and stunning practical effects from Winston and his incredible crew, who supply an atmospheric viewing experience with a memorable enemy.

Pumpkinhead Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Originally released by Shout Factory in 2014, "Pumpkinhead" returns to Blu-ray in 2020, listed as a "New 4K Film Transfer." The AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation offers a deeply film-like look for the feature, with nicely resolved grain and distinct colors throughout. The cinematography favors grand washes of red and blue for genre emphasis, and hues remain stable during the viewing experience. Warmer, summery locations are also evocative, and primaries are appealing on costuming and paint jobs. Skintones are natural. Detail delivers clear facial surfaces to best appreciate makeup work, and Pumpkinhead's particulars are distinct. Visits to rotting locations and rural areas retain texture. Delineation is satisfactory. Source is in excellent shape.

Pumpkinhead Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 5.1 DTS-HD MA sound mix manages some rather intense atmospherics, with the wrath of Pumpkinhead delivering whipping winds and assorted outdoor activity. Surrounds provide an immersive understanding of location, also pushing out scoring cues, which offer clear instrumentation and frontal power. Sound effects are sharp, surveying bodily harm and monster movement, and revving motorcycle engines supply some aggression with mild panning effects. Dialogue exchanges are clear, but periodic issues with sync are present (not just sloppy ADR work), diminishing the listening event.

Pumpkinhead Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary features co-writer Gary Gerani, and creature designers Tom Woodruff Jr. and Alec Gillis.

• "Pumpkinhead Unearthed" (63:59, HD) is a strangely structured making of, collecting sections of interviews with cast and crew instead of generating a flow of information from the start of the project to its release. With co-screenwriter Gary Gerani and producer Billy Blake, story origins are recalled, along with director Stan Winston's initial involvement. The men discuss the botched release of "Pumpkinhead," and offer a tribute to late writer Mark Patrick Carducci. For actors Cynthia Bain, Kerry Remsen, Brian Bremer, Florence Schauffler, and Lance Henriksen, the experience of performing in the picture is shared, encountering makeup effects, constructing characters, and remembering the excitement of working with Winston. Technical tidbits are delivered with creature effects designers Alec Gillis and Tom Woodruff Jr., mechanical effects designer Richard Landon, and creature effects artist Shannon Shea. Location time and screen details are highlighted by production designer Cynthia Charette. Most of the interviewees return for a final tribute to Winston's professionalism and personality.

• "Remembering the Monster Kid: A Tribute to Stan Winston" (49:11, HD) is an appreciation piece featuring interviews with Lance Henriksen, Shannon Shea, Alec Gillis, Tom Woodruff Jr., and Brian Bremer. The interviewees recall their first interactions with Winston, getting to know his personality and philosophy, experiencing his collaborative process and trust, and his rise to become king of practical effects, earning respect from the industry. The "Pumpkinhead" production is analyzed as well, with Winston making his move to direction.

• Gallery (13:39) collects film stills, publicity shots, poster art and VHS covers, BTS snaps, memorabilia images, and production design pictures.

• "Night of the Demon" (16:28, HD) is an interview with producer Richard Weinman, who provides an overview of "Pumpkinhead" origins, finding material that eventually attracted attention from Stan Winston. Casting achievements are highlighted, and the hiring of cinematographer Bojan Bazelli is celebrated. Recalling a happy, smooth shoot on a limited budget, Weinman's mood darkens when exploring post- production, forced to battle with editing demands from Dino De Laurentiis, who eventually sold "Pumpkinhead" to MGM, which dumped the picture a year after its original release date.

• "The Boy with the Glasses" (14:30, HD) is an interview with actor Matthew Hurley, who recounts his rise in the industry, starting out as a child performer in commercials and T.V. shows before scoring a role in "Pumpkinhead," his first film. Hurley remembers his time with Winston, who created a friendly set for a monster movie, and co-stars are detailed, building a special relationship with his screen father, Lance Henriksen. Locations are explored and heat is emphasized. The interviewee offers scene memories and shares his living situation today, losing the drive to act long ago.

• "The Redemption of Joel" (14:02, HD) is an interview with John D'Aquino, who shares his early interest in acting, mesmerized by television during his youth. Originally planning to audition for Jeff East's role in "Pumpkinhead," D'Aquino grew frustrated with his scene partner during their initial meeting with Stan Winston, with that tension helping him to land a different part in the picture. Co-stars are remembered, along with locations. The interviewee highlights an especially difficult night of the shoot, and considers the lasting appeal of "Pumpkinhead."

• "Demonic Toys" (4:50, SD) is a brief interview with sculptor Jean St. Jean, who shares his take on the monster appeal of the titular character and the creative challenges he encountered while bringing the ghoul to life for a toy line.

• Behind the Scenes (7:11, SD) highlights the creation of the monster for "Pumpkinhead," including numerous testing phases. Some shots of the creature on-set are also included.

• And a Theatrical Trailer (1:39, HD) is included.

Pumpkinhead Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

The effort to provide "Pumpkinhead" with a stronger dramatic foundation is appreciable, but it doesn't help the pace of the first half, which labors through character introductions and perhaps a too simplistic understanding of rural inhabitants vs. big city invaders. Winston generates a precise understanding of location, but he doesn't get the film going until the second half, venturing into the darkness with witchcraft and revenge plans. Once Pumpkinhead arrives, the picture settles into horror happenings highlighting remarkable demonic design and execution, with the crew managing to elevate the man-in-suit game with a distinct creation. "Pumpkinhead" is formulaic as it highlights the pursuit and slaughter of victims, but Winston manages to rise above such routine by keeping the movie superbly textured with spooky makeup effects and creative cinematography from Bojan Bazelli, who's out to cover the lack of a major budget by soaking the feature in style, putting on a colorful display of menace. Performances connect as well, with star Lance Henriksen committing to character in full. It takes a little while to get going, but the endeavor really packs a punch once it does, with Winston living up to the nightmare potential of the titular enemy with a strong directorial debut.