Spirited Away: Mr. Grubeck Dials up his Horrorscope

So I finished up Jim Wynorski's kitchen sink horror sequel, 976-Evil II, to Robert Englund's cult film from 1988 just a few minutes ago, and it was quite a bonkers little movie. Explosions, astral "projection" that allows the film's villain to "spirit away" by leaving his body yet capable to cause otherworldly and physical violence towards victims of his choosing, Buck Flower as yet another bum who just so happened to be wasted in the theatre of a high school play (of Faust of all plays; oh, the irony) when a hot student in panties and a see-through top gets impaled by a prop "cavernous spike" (including his being splattered after a diesel plows into him thanks to the killer), a refrigerator spitting out frozen foods which frisbee towards the hero (leather jacket/pants, motorcycle-riding, nomadic Patrick O'Bryan, returning from the first film) while a stove belches flames, and a showstopping set piece which mixes It's a Wonderful Life and Night of the Living Dead (!) as a gal pal of the heroine's (Debbie James, rather easy on the eyes in a pair of tight jeans) gets transplanted into the former as the latter has zombies giving her a Christmas greeting. This film is basically an excuse for bizarre set pieces and turning loose René Assa to crack wise while tormenting people. The makeup for Assa gives his face this hideous diseased look, and he works that devious grin to perfection. For the most part James doesn't totally overact, but I think it's clear she was hired for her looks. Even when her top looks like it was made from a table cloth or she's stuck wearing jorts, Debbie is a sight for sore eyes. I was surprised to see that Patrick would not star in another picture after this. His hair is all poofy. I don't know why that stood out, but it did just the same. Patrick, as Spike, is aware of what that damned Phone Service from Hell does to people and will try to stop Grubeck who uses the astral projection process to free himself from his captive body (he is in jail for serial murders) to continue killing folks. The town prosecutor is trapped behind the wheel in her "runaway car" as Grubeck takes over the controls, eventually driving her into an electrical explosion. Grubeck's house nearly obliterates Spike, as even a machine gun comes off the wall to fire at him while the head of a pig (!) threatens him! Plenty of reminders and throwbacks to Englund's film through the use of the ringing phone. And the oft-repeated voice over the phone that beckons for those listening to receive their horrorscope. Debbie is really a virtuous almost virginal innocent in action and behavior, but that doesn't stop her from showing off her assets. One scene I found amusing just has Spike arriving in a diner, spotting Debbie's Robin eating fries (before she is to head off to the gym!), and just decides to start a conversation. It just kind of happens. She doesn't even mind this kind of off-the-street biker with a bit of a grizzled appearance she doesn't know from Adam just chatting her up.

Still, compared to the shit he makes today, 976-Evil II (1991) turned out rather better than it has any right being. This could be one of his better movies. It is still rather flimsy in its construction, and scrutiny at all when seriously picking apart its developments will just be a maddening experience that really isn't worth the effort. The best way to address the film and how Grubeck does what he does is to accept that his allegiance to Satan and quest to have Debbie for his own lustful purposes motivates everything. Any powers he possesses comes from God's greatest adversary. Grubeck tells a deputy always insulting him: God isn't the only one who can perform miracles. This little detail gives Wynorski the out to set up one ridiculous and absurd set piece after another. I am honest: I was able to just cut off that intellectual side that wants desperately to poo-poo the maladies of the insanity that this plot vomits out. I just don't think you can enjoy it otherwise. This belongs in a double bill with a movie like TerrorVision which has no identity crisis or pretends to be anything else than what it is. This film is comfortable in its own skin. Whether you will be comfortable sitting through it is another matter entirely. You either accept it on its own terms or hit the showers. I can't sit here and say I wasn't entertained, though. God, this is brainless, juvenile horror slugburger.