For years there have been numerous takes on the horror genre, but nothing more iconic than the original Universal Monsters consisting of Dracula, Frankenstein, The Wolfman and so many more. Now Universal is bringing fans of the classic films the ultimate collection with the Universal Classic Monster: Complete 30-Film Collection.
The Universal Classic Monsters: Complete 30-Film Collection showcases all the original films featuring the most iconic monsters in motion picture history including Dracula, Frankenstein, The Mummy, The Invisible Man, The Bride of Frankenstein, The Wolf Man, Phantom of the Opera and Creature from the Black Lagoon. Starring some of the most legendary actors including Bela Lugosi, Boris Karloff, Lon Chaney Jr., Claude Rains and Elsa Lanchester in the roles that they made famous, these films set the standard for a new horror genre and showcase why these landmark movies that defined the horror genre are regarded as some of the most unforgettable ever to be filmed.
This is one of those releases that is really hard to review in the traditional sense as there is just so much here. Of course I am not going to sit here and review all 30 films in the collection, but instead lets talk about the set itself which is amazing. They have broken up the films by monsters with each of them getting a separate individual collection within. Films like The Phantom of the Opera have its own release that includes its own bonus content much like the rest. The rest of the films are separated into Legacy Collections with each offering up numerous films focusing on that monster. There are some repeat films on each set like House of Frankentstein that might have included multiple monsters, but have no fear that doesn’t count into the amount of films promised in the collection.
Each set brings a great new high quality look at each film on Blu-ray for the first time. I am so amazed how well these films continue to hold up to this day. Sure they don’t offer the horror that they probably did when they were originally released, but the sheer film quality and storytelling is some of the best out there. I am aware that some of the films aren’t quite as strong as others, but I still love them all. I was so happy to see that included in this set is not only the regular creature features, but also the Abbott and Costello Meets films that brought the comedy to the classic monsters like only they can.
These are the films that made me love monsters, most notably the Wolfman despite being made way before I was born. The nostalgia alone of taking me back to watching them over the weekend when I was young made this collection all the more special. Having them all in one big collections makes them just plain awesome. The films in this collection include Dracula (1931), Frankenstein (1931), The Mummy (1932), The Invisible Man (1933), The Bride of Frankenstein (1935), Werewolf of London (1935), Dracula's Daughter (1936), Son of Frankenstein (1939), The Invisible Man Returns (1940), The Invisible Woman (1940), The Mummy's Hand (1940), The Wolf Man (1941), The Ghost of Frankenstein (1942), The Mummy's Ghost (1942), The Mummy's Tomb (1942), Invisible Agent (1942),Phantom of the Opera (1943), Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man (1943), Son of Dracula (1943), House of Frankenstein (1944), The Mummy's Curse (1944), The Invisible Man's Revenge (1944), House of Dracula (1945), She-Wolf of London (1946), Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein (1948), Abbott and Costello Meet the Invisible Man (1951), Creature from the Black Lagoon (1954, and includes a 3D version), Abbott and Costello Meet the Mummy (1955), Revenge of the Creature (1955 and includes a 3D version) and The Creature Walks Among Us (1956).
As if this wasn’t enough of a reason to get your hands on this collection it also includes numerous bonus content including commentaries, documentaries, archival footage, featurettes, trailers, production photographs, the 1931 Spanish version of Dracula and 48-page collectible book filled with behind-the-scenes stories and rare production photographs. Grab your cross and torch and return to the horror that started it all with the The Universal Classic Monsters: Complete 30-Film Collection available now on Blu-ray from Universal Home Entertainment.
Review by Bobby Blakey - Bobby reviews way more movies on his own website than the genre-specific ones I post here. Check out Bobby's awesome website and his live show he co-hosts with his wife, Drusilla, at Hollywood Matrimony.
