I think we were all somewhat disappointed, if not disheartened, when we heard that Universal planned to revamp their classic monsters but offer movies that were more Action-Adventure than Horror. We have to understand, though, this is strictly a financial decision on its part. An adventure movie, rated PG-13, like the Stephen Sommers-directed MUMMY films, is going to earn more bread at the box office than an R-rated Horror flick because it caters to the kids and family demographic. We Horror fans might crave bloody adult fare, but we’re simply outnumbered. And money talks.
Even so, I don’t see how any fan could not be excited that the classic Monsters are coming back in a shared universe. Obviously this decision was influenced by the success Marvel Studios has had with its shared universe of characters, but Marvel hardly invented the concept. The Universal Monsters were all appearing in each others’ movies back during their heyday. And it was glorious. I’m glad that the studio claims to be taking its time, in order to get things right. But I wish they’d hurry with it, even if the onscreen bloodshed is going to be minimal.
