Concerning the DARK ARMY

I have thus far not been all that excited about news of Paul Feig’s potentially upcoming Universal Monsters Horror project DARK ARMY. How could I *not* be, you ask, considering that the movie is rumored to feature all, or at least several, of the classic Universal Monsters? It’s because of Feig’s resume. This is the guy who subjected us all to the all-female abortive GHOSTBUSTERS remake, which fell on its face. And BRIDESMAIDS. And a dozen or so other movies starring Melissa McCarthy. That, combined with reports that DARK ARMY would be lighter in tone, more action-adventure than pure Horror, doesn’t leave me feeling all that enthusiastic about it, I’m sorry to say.

But is there room for hope? Here’s what Feig recently told ComingSoon: “I’m a mega-fan of those old horror movies. I call them more monster movies than horror movies, quite frankly. Horror movies to me now represent slasher and that kind of thing, which I don’t enjoy at all. I loved those old movies like FRANKENSTEIN. BRIDE OF FRANKENSTEIN is probably one of the greatest movies of all-time. I love that movie so much, and there are some things from that movie that I’m using in this new movie…I really want to do a James Whale-ish, modern day version of a monster movie that is about these characters…I want that level of humor in there. He took it seriously, but he’s still going, ‘We’re gonna have fun with this.’…I want to bring that ookie spookie feel back to movies, but with these monsters you root for and understand at the same time. I finished the first draft of the script and I’m so excited about it! I’m literally on fire about getting this movie made as soon as I can…”

Hmmm. Maybe. Sounds like he’s a fan, but the fact that he admits he dislikes Horror still troubles me, given his history of creating silly lightweight comedies. Will his definition of “ookie spookie” jibe with that of most fans? Please, Lawd, don’t let us end up with McCarthy playing the Bride of Frankenstein!

By The Evil Cheezman

WAYNE MILLER is the owner and creative director of EVIL CHEEZ PRODUCTIONS (www.evilcheezproductions.blogspot.com, www.facebook.com/evilcheezproductions), specializing in theatrical performances and haunted attractions. He has written, produced and directed (and occasionally acted in) over a dozen plays, most of them in the Horror and Crime genres. His first novel, THE CONFESSIONS OF SAINT CHRISTOPHER: WEREWOLF, is available for purchase at https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/734763 MORTUI VELOCES SUNT!

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.