Little Shop of Horrors (1986, Musical Comedy)

Starring: Rick Moranis, Erin Greene, Steve Martin, John Belushi, John Candy, and Bill Murray.

In 1986, the Kent family took a little trip to New York City, so that we, Joseph and Nicole, might have the opportunity to be full-fledged tourists before being confined to wheelchairs. We went to see the home

where my mother grew up. During this momentous vacation, we went to a couple of Broadway musicals. Little Shop of Horrors was my favorite. It was a bit strange, but now I simply love it. My father loves it also! In fact, a copy of this 1986 version was given to my father for his birthday. What can I say? My father loves the song sung by Steve Martin. Martin is hilarious, and I had no idea he could pull off singing. Sure, it is a geeky song, and anybody could sing it. However, I was still impressed that Martin could play the crazy Dr. Orin Scrivello.

You'll be a dentist. You have a talent for causing great pain, so be a dentist. People will pay you to be inhumane.

These lyrics are a scream. This song steals the show because Rick Moranis is just tolerable. And Erin Greene, I can barely stand her nasal voice in "Suddenly Seymour" and "Somewhere That's Green." They are cute songs with memorable melodies. Furthermore, one cannot forget "Skid Road" and "Some Fun Now" which captures the excitement of the plot with the delightful music of Howard Ashburn and Alan Menken.

Obviously, computer animation would be used nowadays to make the Audrey II's motions appear more fluid, but this film was made in 1986. Many puppeteers were employeed to maneuver this evil slant. Another change that can easily be indentified on the screen is the new ending, where the hero destroys the wicked man-eating plant to a newly-written and a bit crass song. Hollywood has done it once again. They have made this funny musical into a "happilly ever after" fairy tale where Seymour marries his Audrey, and they move into Audrey's dream house. Good movie, but the "Dentist" song is really the only reason the Kents like it so much! :-)