C.H.U.D. 2: Bud The Chud

C.H.U.D. 2: Bud The Chud is a peculiar yet engaging combination of comedy, science fiction, and horror that was released in 1989. A sequel to the 1984 cult classic C.H.U.D., the film alters its predecessors' diabolically gruesome tone with a comically goofy shift. Directed by David Irving and written by M. Kane Jeeves, this iconic film is a labyrinth of humor, fright, and memorable 80s eccentricity.

The film's story spins around the misadventures of a group of high school buddies, headed by lead character Brian Robbins, who delivers a performance full of youth-energy, impulsive curiosity, and comic timing. His confidante and partner in the goofiness, Steve (Bill Calvert), add up to the comic equation with a seamless performance that lights up the comedic atmosphere of the movie. This amusing ensemble is completed by the portrayal of Katie (Tricia Leigh Fisher), daughter of a military officer and love interest of Robbins' character, adding a touch of romance to the madcap narrative.

The real journey takes off when the young gang makes a visit to the Center for Disease Control on a School assignment, an innocent act culminating in unforeseen consequences. Stumbling upon a body stored in cryogenic suspension, the boys inadvertently stumble in the government's undisputed secret - C.H.U.D. (Cannibalistic Humanoid Underground Dwellers), an experiment gone awry from the prequel. A mischievous act of stealing the corpse as a prank on Halloween night sets off a cascading series of events that soon spirals out of control.

The stolen corpse is revealed to be of Bud Oliver, a deceased military man turned unintended subject for a bumbling scientist, whose failed experiment was meant to transform him into a super soldier. Instead, Bud has turned into a member of the C.H.U.D - a deformed creature that feasts on human flesh to reproduce its kind. Thus the title, 'Bud The Chud,' is born.

When Bud unexpectedly reanimates, the film takes the audience on a wild roller-coaster ride, filled with comic yet eerie situations. With a comedic and light-hearted twist to the cannibalistic concept, Bud doesn't terrify the audience but amuses them instead with his outrageous antics as he roams around the town in search of human nourishment.

The ragtag group not only realizes their error but also the gravity of the situation when Bud starts turning other town folks into his own kind. With a unique spin, Bud's victims transform not through gruesome violence but via a quick bite that leaves them looking normal but being far from it as they soon manifest peculiarities like Bud.

Between the horror and comedy, a romantic subplot gracefully develops between Robbins' and Fisher's character, adding an extra touch of engaging drama. The teenage romance stirs youthful chemistry amidst the circumstantial chaos, yet their characters start taking responsibility beyond their years to undo the mess they created.

The military, led by Colonel Masters (portrayed by Gerrit Graham), eventually gets wind of Bud's escape, and they pursue the group across the city to recapture the escaped experiment. This pursuit brings a layer of thrill to the already brimming humor and horror, culminating in an absolute carnival of events on the edge of comic absurdity.

Director David Irving manages to cleverly twist the narrative into something extraordinary, blending humor with horror, without making it excessively grotesque or terrifying. The film is more of a homage to B-grade 50s horror flicks, layered with an unmistakable 80s charm.

C.H.U.D 2 is an enjoyable yet odd concoction of comedy, horror, and romance that reflects the spirit of 80's cinema. The film stands as an eccentric experiment in genre-mixing and offers a fun, if decidedly offbeat, watch for viewers intrigued by such unique cinematic adventures.