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MOVIE SCORE |
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DVD SCORE |
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REVIEWER |
WesCraven |
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REVIEW DATE |
8th September, 2004 |
Review Quote
"The story is one of the major culprits of its downfall. It's not horrible, but it's not good either. Some parts of the story are a little over the top, and some others are a tad confusing. Yet, overall the story works, at least in terms of flow or making logical sense."
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The Plot
A psychopath terrorizes the women in an apartment complex by murdering them with an assortment of things from a toolbox.
The Movie
After watching this film for the first time I wasn't sure how I felt about it, I'm not even totally sure now. "The Toolbox Murders" is one of those films that you'd always heard about, had always wanted to see, but just hadn't. So finally I decided to get it and see what it was really all about. When I was done, I could easily see how this film had earned its notoriety. However, it took a couple more viewings before I was really able to decide how I felt about it. My conclusion is that "The Toolbox Murders" is ultimately pretty solid, but also highly overrated.
The story is one of the major culprits of its downfall. It's not horrible, but it's not good either. Some parts of the story are a little over the top, and some others are a tad confusing. Yet, overall the story works, at least in terms of flow or making logical sense. Another negative is the music. Now don't get me wrong, some of it works well. However, some of it works not so well, and rather detracts from the film.
Not everything was bad within this film. The effects while nothing mind-blowing, were pretty solid. With the really original murder weapons used in this film, we get some pretty interesting and very violent kills. Though I must also say that I speculate that portions of the kills are really edited. I'm not sure if is just this copy of the film or not, but it is just slightly annoying.
All in all, I'm glad that I've seen this film. Not necessarily because it was good, and not necessarily because it was bad. Just because I no longer have to wonder what it's all about. I wouldn't recommend this to everyone, but I do think it's worth watching for most horror fans. Though you might be let down, especially if you've had the film built up for you.
The DVD
The Blue Underground release is all right. The visual and audio transfers are pretty solid, though at times the film is too dark (especially the beginning). The extras are also just all right. We get an audio commentary with Producer Tony DiDio, Director of Photography Gary Graver, and star Pamelyn Ferdin. It's a little sub-par. There's some interesting information here and there, but overall it's almost boring, and Ferdin is quite often (at least to me) pretty annoying. We also get "I got nailed in The Toolbox Murders-" an interview with star Marianne Walter. This is only slightly entertaining. We also get a theatrical trailer (which is loaded with nudity, which makes me wonder if it really is an actual trailer or not; but whatever), a TV spot, two radio spots, a poster & still gallery, and a Cameron Mitchell bio.
All in all, the DVD begs for more extras, and in the end is rather lackluster. I also want to add that one of the pictures on the back of the DVD case gives away who the killer is, so be careful!
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Director
Dennis Donnelly
Cast
Cameron Mitchell
Pamelyn Ferdin
Nicolas Beauvy
Wesley Eure
Tim Donnelly
Screenplay
Robert Easter
Ann Kindberg
Tagline
"What he does to your nerves is almost as frightening as what he does to his victims!"
Country
USA
Classification
R
Year
1977
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Format
NTSC
Region Coding
0 (all regions)
Aspect Ratio
1.66:1
16x9 Enhanced
Yes
Running Time
94 minutes
Year Released
2003
Packaging
Keep Case
Extra Features
Audio Commentary
Interview
TV Spot
Radio Spots
Poster & Still Gallery
Cameron Mitchell Bio
Theatrical Trailer
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This Version On DVD
Region 0: Buy Me Now
Other Versions On DVD
Region 1: Buy Me Now
Region 2: Buy Me Now
Region 3: Not Available
Region 4: Not Available
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If you find any errors in this review, know of any other versions of this DVD available or no longer available, send us an e-mail so we can get the word out to the horror community.
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