Krampus (2015) [Blu-ray]
Comedy | Fantasy | Horror

When his dysfunctional family clashes over the holidays, young Max is disillusioned and turns his back on Christmas. Little does he know, this lack of festive spirit has unleashed the wrath of Krampus: a demonic of ancient evil intent on punishing non-believers.
  All hell breaks loose as beloved holiday icons take on a monstrous life of their own, laying siege to the fractured family's home and them to fight for each other if they hope to survive.
  Featuring an ensemble cast that includes Adam Scott (TV's Parks and Recreation), Toni Collette (Little Miss Sunshine), Allison Tolman (TV's Fargo) and David Koechner (Anchorman), this is a wonderfully dark and subversive "must-see film. WEGOTTHISCOVERED.COM

Storyline: When his dysfunctional family clashes over the holidays, young Max (Emjay Anthony) is disillusioned and turns his back on Christmas. Little does he know, this lack of festive spirit has unleashed the wrath of Krampus: a demonic force of ancient evil intent on punishing non-believers. All hell breaks loose as beloved holiday icons take on a monstrous life of their own, laying siege to the fractured family's home and forcing them to fight for each other if they hope to survive.

Reviewer's Note: Reviewed by Martin Liebman, April 16, 2016 Every action has an equal and opposite reaction. If Santa Claus plops down the chimney bearing a sack full of gifts for all of the "nice" kids, a lump of coal in the stocking isn't exactly "equal and opposite" for the "naughty" kids. No, if the unbridled joy of Christmas morning -- that blissful payoff for 365 straight days of good behavior rewarded with lots of toys and goodies (and only a few pair of socks) -- is "nice," then the ultimate in fear and suffering must be the opposite. The legend of "Krampus" hails from old Eastern European folklore. It's said to be a demonic figure that punishes those who, say, "lack the Christmas spirit." The creature is the subject of its namesake movie Krampus, Director Michael Dougherty's (Trick 'r Treat) ode to days-gone-by Christmastime fright film in which a family that's all but forgotten the holiday's joys is hunted down on a snowy and blustery Christmas eve.

Max (Emjay Anthony) loves Christmas and he still believes in Santa Claus. It seems like the rest of the world, however, does not. He violently defends the traditional Christmas spirit, but all it really gets him is a black eye. He pens a letter to Santa, pleading that things might return to the way they once were, when everyone believed and the season meant more than fighting over products in a store and entertaining tradition just because. Things take a turn for the worse when Max's extended family comes to visit. Things don't go well, and he's further mocked for his beliefs. In a fit of frustration, he tears up his letter to Santa and literally throws the remnants to the wind. Bad idea. A major storm rolls in that blankets the town in a crippling snow and knocks out the power. Max's sister Beth (Stefania LaVie Owen) foolishly leaves the house to search for her boyfriend. When she doesn't return, Max's father Tom (Adam Scott) and his gun-toting uncle Howard (David Koechner) go on the search but come face-to-face with a foe they cannot believe, a foe that has its sights set on the family home and everyone in it.

Imagine Home Alone meets Christmas Vacation meets Zathura meets Gremlins with a creepy, somewhat violent, and chillingly sadistic Poltergeist-like edge and get a pretty good idea of what Krampus has to offer. The movie isn't particularly frightening in a bone-chilling, spine-tingling sort of way, but it's immensely effective in a claustrophobic sort of way as the family is closed off inside the house, facing either an unknown enemy inside or a hopeless wasteland of a snowy, frigid environment outside. The film blends action and mysticism, chills and an anti-Christmas spirit that's very effective. It's well paced and engaging in all areas, in its establishing first act -- the movie does a great job of efficiently introducing characters, relationship, and dynamics even through the chaos of the family get-together -- its developing second, and its all-out mayhem third. It's sort of like a Christmas-themed haunted house ride.

The movie opens with one of the coolest -- literally and figuratively -- Universal logos ever. It then establishes its anti-Christmas tone with an entertaining barrage of Black Friday-like hysteria, and why not: nothing spells out just the sort of raucous, frenzied mayhem that's anything but in the Christmas spirt than that, the perfect opening for the anti-Santa to come bearing its own brand of blackened chaos. Director Michael Dougherty knows just how to manipulate the story and the audience, to set just the right tone and establish just the right atmosphere for the movie. He does so with an effortless blend of serious storytelling, approachable humor, and dark matter that's easy to approach but frightening to witness. His cast is also effective. Most every character enjoys superb development that never feels forced or overdone. Even most of the secondary characters are effortlessly constructed and their place in the movie is well defined. Emjay Anthony impresses in the lead role as a boy who still clings to the Christmas spirit that's dissipated around him, both within his own home and in the wider world around him. He demonstrates a keen understanding of the movie's darker themes and his character's more hopeful state of mind and evolution throughout the film. Adam Scott and Toni Collette are enjoyable as his parents, and the ever-reliable David Koechner nails the part of the gun-toting uncle, finding just the right balance between serious and playful.

Krampus shoots right towards the top of the best of the creepy Christmas sub genre. It's not a traditional "Horror" movie, though, more like a Christmas "Survival" film with Horror elements. But whatever one wishes to call it, it's a fun, enjoyable ride. Character development is a highlight, tone and pace are just right, the visuals are excellent, and the movie is a pleasure to watch at any time of year. Universal's Blu-ray is equally great. Strong video, reference audio, and a high quality assortment of extra goodies make this a must-own release. It probably won't wind up on the end-of-year top ten list, but it'll definitely squeeze into the honorable mentions. Highly recommended.

[CSW] -2.7- I would describe this flick as entertaining but mildly disappointing considering the talents involved. There are some very good actors that can be very funny but the script for this movie lets them down. Unfortunately, this means the first 45 minutes or so of this movie are hard to get into but once Krampus and his fellow beasties finally show up, the fun begins! I say fun but it was a bit too campy for me. If you can get into the comedy/horror of Krampus and his beasties it will be pure entertainment for you. I just didn't find the surprisingly grotesque creatures, ones that rival actual adult horror films that are made to make you laugh and scream almost at the same time, all that compelling. However the snow globes ending made up for much of the pure quirkiness (and added half a point to my score). Is it just campy enough to become a yearly Xmas horror movie tradition, only time will tell? Think Gremlins, Ghostbusters, and Tremors.
[V4.0-A5.0] MPEG-4 AVC - No D-Box.


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