Spontaneous Combustion
(Tobe Hooper; 1989)
(Anchor Bay)
-Overview-
A couple partake in an experiment in the mid 1950’s involving an anti-radiation vaccine. As an unexpected side effect, their son was born with the ability to make people burst into flame. Unfortunately, he also immolates himself in the process. Years later (in the late 80’s) Sam (the product of above said coupling, played by Brad Dourif) is all grown up and attending university. Soon Sam starts to unravel and begins barbequing every person that upsets him, and he gets upset a lot. He soon finds out about the experiment and goes in search of answers…
Not a bad outing from Hooper, although hated by many horror fans, I found this one at the very least entertaining. Dourif is great as ever in his over the top performance, lighting himself ablaze and screaming / grimacing constantly. The special effects are very poorly done, but at least it’s real fire superimposed rather than some CGI crap. No nudity to note, and not really anything I would call gore, seeing as everybody gets burned to a crisp. What can I say, I find people being lit on fire amusing.
-Sound-
The sound is standard, with no distortion or flaws. Presented Dolby 2.0.
-Picture-
A decent print, with some artifacting, nothing to write home about. Widescreen.
-Special Features-
- Trailer
-Packaging-
Standard DVD keep case.
Sound: 4
Picture: 5
Packaging: 5
(Rating scale is out of 10, with 1 being the worst and 10 the best)