80's Movie Review: C.H.U.D

The 1984 B-Movie classic, C.H.U.D., shocked audiences with a new type of urban horror. For once, it is not some campground in the backwoods that is a scene of wanton horror. It is the streets of New York City at night that is the unlikely backdrop for murder and violence. Things walk the streets (and below the streets) hungering for human flesh, Carnivorous Humanoid Underground Dwellers (C.H.U.D.).

The story begins with a string of unexplained disappearances taking place in New York City. The city's population of homeless "undergrounders" is dwindling. A police captain named Bosch (played by Christopher Curry) is on the case. Bosch visits local do-gooder, A.J. "The Reverend" Shepherd (played by Daniel Stern) who runs a homeless shelter and says he has evidence of a massive government cover-up.

While Bosch is getting the runaround from his superiors, the good Reverend and an activist photographer named George Cooper (played by John Heard) get themselves trapped in the underground nightmare world of the C.H.U.D. Murder and mayhem ensue. Will George and A.J. escape with their lives? Will Bosch save the day? Who is this mysterious man from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission who seems to know more than he is letting on? Who are the C.H.U.D. and what do they want? Will the C.H.U.D. be stopped? The answers to these question can be answered on your DVD player if you dare to investigate.

C.H.U.D. is as scary today as it was back in the 80's. The special effects hold up, the acting is superb, and the directing is tight. And keep an eye out for an early career appearance from John Goodman. The movie gets 4 out of 5 stars. Sadly, it looses a point because of it's unfair portrayal of the bureaucrats at the Nuclear Regulatory Commission who are trying their best to do a difficult job. This movie deserves to be in every 80's film buff's collection. Buy it, but be warned, this movie not only frightens and entertains, it will have you rethinking your next vacation plans to visit the sewers of New York City.

Pick up your copy of C.H.U.D. through any one of this links:

www.amazon.com

www.barnesandnoble.com

www.cduniverse.com

www.moviesunlimited.com

www.buy.com