Here Come the Munsters

Here Come The Munsters is an American made-for-television film that aired on Fox on Halloween night in 1995. The movie, directed by Robert Ginty, is a comical and warmly nostalgic reboot of the classic 1960s situation comedy The Munsters. The film stars Edward Herrmann (known for his roles in Gilmore Girls, The Lost Boys) as Herman Munster, Veronica Hamel (Hill Street Blues) as Lily Munster, and Robert Morse (Mad Men) as Grandpa Munster. The film, featuring a mix of comedy, satire, and a hint of horror, perfectly captures the charm and humorous enchantment of the original series.

The plot of Here Come The Munsters is a heartwarming family story blended with unique elements of monster mythology. The film opens with the Munster family being chased out of Transylvania due to their unusual, monster-like appearances that scare their neighbours. They decide to make their way to America, where they move into an old Victorian mansion in the small town of Mockingbird Heights, with the hope that they'd finally find a place where they could blend in.

Edward Herrmann portrays the loveable patriarch, Herman Munster, a well-meaning but childishly naive Frankenstein's monster with an infectious laugh. Herman works at a funeral parlor and is determined to provide for his family in their new homeland. Veronica Hamel plays Lily Munster, the elegant and soothing vampire who tries to keep her eccentric family in line. Coinciding with these central characters is the enigmatic Grandpa Munster, played by Robert Morse. An over-the-top vampire who's a mad scientist, Grandpa adds an extra layer of eccentricity and amusement to the family with his outrageous experiments and magic potions.

Completing the family are their 'normal' humans-appearing niece, Marilyn, played by Hilary Van Dyke, and their wolf-boy son, Eddie, played by Bug Hall. Marilyn is comically treated as the odd one out in the family due to her conventional appearance, while Eddie is a mischievous yet endearing child werewolf grappling with his identity. The family is rounded off by their pet dragon, Spot, adding further to the fun-filled outrageousness of their household.

This family has its fair share of struggles as they navigate their new life, with hilarious yet poignant situations arising from their monster-like qualities clashing with the human world. Their 'differences' trigger a series of comic events that gel the story together. One of the overarching storylines is how the Munsters work together as a family to overcome prejudice and fit into the society. The film uses the Munsters' eccentricities to serve as a comic allegory for being different in the face of conventional societal norms.

The Munsters' eccentric appearance and bizarre ways may initially frighten the townspeople, but their warmth, humor, and kindness soon win over their neighbors. They prove that, despite looking and behaving differently, they are as human as anyone else, with their love for each other and their values mirroring any traditional family.

Here Come The Munsters is a charming blend of comedy, fantasy, and a dash of horror, integrated with intriguing life lessons. The story, laced with wit and humor, cleverly draws parallels between the Munsters' struggles and broader societal issues such as discrimination, acceptance and the power of unity.

As for the acting, the performances are fundamentally caricaturish, as is the norm for this genre, but this doesn't prevent the actors from humanizing their roles. Edward Herrmann is a standout with his consistently on-point comic timing and nuanced delivery, while Veronica Hamel and Robert Morse all add significant comic weight to their extravagant parts.

Just as the original series did, Here Come The Munsters serves as a reminder that the power of unity, kindness, and love is the foundation for any family, regardless of how 'different' they may appear to be. With its quirky characters, memorable comedic scenes, and the inherent warmth that the Munster family embodies, this film is sure to delight fans of the original series and even perhaps create new ones. Even two decades after its release, Here Come The Munsters remains an entertaining watch for a light-hearted family movie night, especially during Halloween.