Ghoulies III

In the 1990 comedy horror film Ghoulies III, director John Carl Buechler brings us on a gory yet humorous journey through Ghoul-infested college life. The film has a star-studded cast including Evan MacKenzie, Kevin McCarthy, Eva LaRue, and John R. Johnston. This is the third instalment of the Ghoulies franchise, bringing with it a greater level of comedy and absurdity.

The film is centered on the shenanigans at a fictional institution, the 'Glazier College', where clumsiness and tomfoolery are the norms. The college’s annual prank week takes a twisted turn when occult magic meets campus life, causing mayhem and providing the film with an exciting plot. Environment shifts from numerous college buildings to the sorority and fraternity residences, presenting a vivid variety of scenes and settings.

Evan MacEnzie plays the character of Skip Carter, a resident weed out at the college, who is unwittingly dragged into the supernatural world. Together with his best friend and fellow student Mike (Marc Saraceni), they unknowingly unleash the mischievous ghoulies. They hilariously have to avoid flunking out of college, maintain their reputation, and deal with their college's eccentric Professor Ragnar (Kevin McCarthy). They discover an old comic book through which these ghoulies are summoned to participate in their notorious prank week, turning it into an actual nightmare.

Kevin McCarthy as Professor Ragnar is one of the highlights of the film. McCarthy's fine portrayal of a hate-filled, revenge-seeking educator adds a layer of depth to the otherwise monstrous madness. He is renowned for his cruel punishments if any student dares to cross him. Adding to the mix, Eva LaRue plays Erin Riddle, a popular cheerleader who becomes an unlikely ally to Mike and Skip. John R. Johnston adds another flavor to the star cast as Jeremy Heilman, a typical nerd who is their most unexpected hero with his mathematical prowess.

In Ghoulies III, the ghoulies themselves are given personalities with sarcastic and dry humor. Unlike the silent ghoulies in the previous films, they now talk, crack jokes, and play pranks on the students. The juxtaposition of a college prank week and demonic creatures creates an entertaining and wacky storyline. Buechler uses innovative literal interpretations of 'potty humor' to ensure a good round of laughter amongst the horror, capitalizing on the revamped personalities of the Ghoulies.

Despite the apparent humor, the film does not lack the suspense and chills of a classic horror movie. The use of visual effects and realistic makeup adaptation of the ghoulies is commendable for its time. It brings forth the horrific and grotesque aspects of the movie, creating a balance between humor, thrill, and chills.

The music, by Chuck Cirino, adds another dimension to the film, with the soundtrack providing a backdrop between the college scenes, horror, and the comedic adventure. The film's cinematography effectively uses the light and shadows to create the eerie atmosphere vital for horror flicks. The visual effects used for magical sequences and ghoul appearances were ahead of their time, providing engaging viewer experiences.

Regardless of the satirically humorous dive into the horror-comedy genre, Ghoulies III still retains some elements of classic horror. It sets the tone for the unpredictability and enticing anticipation of what ghastly gimmick the ghoulies will do next, making for a thrilling watch.

Although Ghoulies III did not rely heavily on previous installments' storyline, it would be advantageous for viewers to watch the previous movies to understand the full backstory of the ghoulies. But, even without that, it still stands as an engaging standalone film with the right mix of laughter, horror, and campus antics.

Ghoulies III might not be a traditionally scary film, but it serves up entertainment aplenty with its unique blend of humor, horror, and college life. Enjoy this movie for its atmosphere of harmless fun, its playfully scary moments, and its surprising plot developments. It offers a different take on its genre, marking it as an unmissable piece in the Ghoulies franchise.