DVD Release
Before I start my review of Joe Dante’s Masters of Horror episode, “Homecoming”, I’d like to make a couple of statements…
First of all, this episode marks a complete change in packaging design. Initially I had thought “Homecoming’s” artwork was changed because Dante had his face and signature removed from the front but according to sources over at Anchor Bay, not so. From here on in the episodes will have similar changes in packaging design. The Masters of Horror DVD artwork we’ve all come to know and love is no more.
Now, in my opinion, the brainiacs responsible for this ridiculous curve ball should be canned. I mean, honestly…this first season has been plagued with upsets and really makes one wonder if we’ll be seeing a season 3. Did this series really need this? Was this really a wise move on Anchor bay’s part?
This first season, despite having a few nice entries, has been disappointing to say the least. I’d love to get Mick Garris on the phone for an interview and ask him what the hell is going on and why this project, thus far, has been handled so haphazardly and treated so poorly.
“Homecoming”, in this reviewer’s opinion, is the worst entry into the Masters of Horror series. Allow me to sum the whole episode up with one sentence.
“Bush is an evil man and the Republican Party hates the voting public.”
During a televised cable talk show, David Murch (Jon Tenney), a political advisor & speech writer, makes an impassioned wish to see all of the fallen soldiers from Iraq come back so they can let their voices be heard. Naturally, David is Republican slime and he was insinuating that the soldiers would come back and voice their support for this war.
The bad thing about making wishes is sometimes they come true.
Nobody is more surprised than David when the dead soldiers from the war begin rising and wandering about the streets. Why are they back? What do they want?
David and his newfound love interest, conservative pundit and alcoholic whore Jane Cleaver (Thea Gill), begin working on ways to spin these resurrection incidents after it’s discovered the dead have actually begun rising in order to vote. Apparently, the dead want to send the message that they don’t approve of the war and they plan to do that by voting the President out of office.
After some failed attempts to keep the dead from voting, David convinces the President to allow them to vote. After all, there’s only a few hundred. Unfortunately, the dead are swaying the living masses and inspiring them to vote as well and the Republicans soon find themselves in an awkward position; lose gracefully or rig the count.
I’m sure you can all guess what happens.
Yes, this was satire and as usual it was slanted. I expected nothing less. While this episode had a tense moment or two, Dante missed the mark entirely. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, I’ve seen scarier episodes of Tales from the Crypt. This was just too cartoony for me..
Zombie fans expecting brain eating or flesh munching are going to be sorely disappointed because Dante isn’t having any of that. These zombies aren’t back to kill…THEY’RE HERE TO LET THE WORLD KNOW REPUBLICANS ARE BAD. First Land of the Dead and now this…what’s with the sledgehammer approach?
This disc is packed with extras as always though don’t expect any audio commentary by Dante himself.
I’m sure some of you will find this episode amusing and that’s fine to each his or her own. I just really expected…hmm…I expected…you know…that thing…you know…HORROR. I did learn a few things from this episode though…
1. Bush is evil.
2. Karl Rove is evil.
3. Joe Dante and writer Sam Hamm believe Anne Coulter is a conservative, power hungry whore.
There you have it! This episode can probably be considered “controversial” though I can’t understand why. Last time I checked, Bush/Republican hating was a BIG THING right now and everybody is currently riding that bandwagon. I understand Dante using dead soldiers from the war could stir things up and for that I applaud him…horror should push buttons and limits. Unfortunately, Dante forgot to add the horror.
