DVD Release
You know the Masters of Horror series, for many people, has been a hit or miss viewing experience. Many are fit to be tied over some of the directors being selected to helm their own episodes and others are upset that the series has been lauded as being all about the directors and their vision despite obvious censorship and mishandling. Personally I felt the series wasn’t doing enough to seriously address the lack of substance in the genre; no lines were being pushed…no toes of the status quo being stepped on. I guess in some ways I was expecting too much of the directors I had come to look upon with admiration and respect.
I won’t say I’ve been proven wrong with this new season of Masters but I have noticed a step up from the last season. The 2nd season has really shown some strong improvement and interesting concepts for all types of horror fans. Not all of the episodes are grand slams, hell, some are barely base hits but for the most part the ridiculous comedy and snooze-inducing blah-bitty-blah blah blah of the last season has definitely decreased.
“Right to Die” is one of those “touchy” episodes I figured would either ignite major debate amongst horror fans or totally slide beneath the radar. You’d assume a horror film that shares parallels with the Terri Schiavo case would be a powder keg just waiting to go off, right?
Cliff (Martin Donovan) and Abbey (Julia Anderson) Addison are having some difficulties in their marriage so they decide to get away from it all for awhile and get some much needed R&R and, hopefully, time to patch up their waning relationship before its too late. Unfortunately, they never arrive at the destination due to a horrible car accident that leaves Abbey horribly disfigured and burned beyond recognition. Cliff, being the loving husband he is, makes the decision to “pull the plug” on poor Abbey to end her suffering and diminished quality of life. This decision doesn’t go uncontested though and Cliff is forced to take legal counsel (Corbin Bernsen) as well as take his burden to the press.
One person in particular takes major offense at being used as a pawn…Abbey herself! See despite being physically strapped down in the intensive care unit, her spirit is quite free to move about wherever she likes and this spells major problems for Cliff and the young lady (Robin Sydney) he’s been having an affair with! After a few terrifying visions, Cliff begins to get the picture and realizes that he’ll never be free of Abbey’s vengeful spirit if he allows the plug to be pulled. Nope, he needs to do everything in his power to keep Abbey alive and well even if that means finding a willing skin donor!
“Right to Die” is one helluva chilling episode! Abbey is one ghost that takes shit from no one! I’d easily compare her to Sadako/Samara from the Japanese/American Ring films! Imagine a bloody, skinless Julia from Hellbound: Hellraiser II with double D’s and you’ve got a pretty good picture of Abbey. This isn’t some pretty, floating whisp…she’s slimy, bloody and absolutely terrifying. There were quite a few times when I found myself totally freaked out. Her sudden, and sensual, appearances made my skin crawl. Xantha (Slither) Radley did a fantastic job as the “Abbey thing.”
The cast did a wonderful job here and I’m sure this won’t come as a shock but I always enjoy seeing Corbin Bernsen pop up in the genre. Feel free to kick me down a few notches on the horror credibility chart but I’m a big fan of The Dentist 1 & 2. Obviously, being the incredible pig I am, I’ll also admit it was fantastic seeing the smoking hot Robin (The Gingerdead Man) Sydney and the fantastically endowed Julia Anderson! They’re both lovely, talented actresses with wonderful careers ahead of them.
The CG and FX featured in this episode were excellent! K.N.B. EFX Group can always be counted on to make some kick ass scary shit and the certainly do not disappoint! Hell, even the visual effects, which I normally feel is always overused, was sparse and seamless. Everything really came together, nothing felt forced.
Like all Masters of Horror releases, this DVD features some outstanding extras though I have noticed a drop in the amount of extras this season. Still, quality is always preferred over quantity and that’s just not an issue here. The extras were fun and informative.
I’m really not sure I’d consider this one of my favorite from this season of MOH but its pretty damn close! There’s an interesting concept, some solid twists, hot women and a ghost any horror fan can cheer for. For those of you that doubted whether Rob Schmidt could pull an episode off, he did. Hopefully we see him back again for the 3rd season. If you weren’t able to catch “Right to Die” when it originally aired, go rent it when you get the opportunity!
