Review by Peter Syslo
This is a “MOH” episode from the second season and it is one of the better ones, from that season. I thought that the first season was good, with a few high points, but the second season just seemed a little bland to me. I still like the series overall, even though some episodes are hit and miss; I like the fact that a lot of directors are taking chances with original scripts and it is a free-flowing fountain of creative horror ideas. The series is a great idea and it definitely surpassed my expectations for a horror anthology, but I just feel that the second season isn’t as “edgy” as the first. However, WE ALL SCREAM FOR ICE CREAM is an exception and it may be one of the highlights of season two.
WE ALL… is directed by Tom Holland, who is the mastermind behind CHILD’S PLAY and FRIGHT NIGHT. The film is written by David J. Schow, and it is based on a short story by John Farris. It stars William Forsythe, Colin Cunningham, Tim Henry, and Lee Tergesen.
The film is about a clown named Buster (Forsythe), who is a ghostly presence that comes out at night and passes out ice cream to kids who are entranced by his song (“We all scream for ice cream”). The catch is that the ice cream is in the shape of the kids’ fathers and once they take a bite (like a voodoo doll) the father dies/melts. It turns out that Buster is taking revenge upon a group of adults who accidentally killed him, years ago. Buster was a special needs adult, who held a job as an ice cream man; he dressed up as a clown and drove the ice cream truck in the neighborhood. Layne (Tergesen) and a few others, as kids, played a cruel prank on Buster and it resulted in Buster’s death. Now, years later, Buster is picking off Layne and the rest of his group, one by one. As it comes down to Layne’s turn, he tries to f ind a way to stop Buster and a way to save his own children in the process.
WE ALL… was a fun, entertaining story which was very much in the style of Tom Holland and I admit, it was a little creepy. It wasn’t totally new material; in fact, it was sort of a Stephen King-influenced tale. However, I think that Holland ’s execution, along with the actors, saved it from being mediocre; Holland is very effective with toys, clowns, creatures and the like. The actors were all very good, from the always enjoyable Forsythe as Buster, to Cunningham’s portrayal of the town bad-ass, Virgil. They created an interesting world in which the story took place and it was actually sad what happened to poor Buster – it isn’t a horribly sadistic thing, but t he accident was a shame.
I have to mention the visual effects, because they were really original and inventive. If you ever imagined how it would look if someone melted like ice cream, this is probably what it would look like – the effects are pretty good. Also, the ghostly Buster’s makeup was excellent; it’s what a scary clown should look like. Basically, Holland and crew took a familiar story, but added little bits and pieces –textures – which really made it feel more original. Case in point, when the ghostly Buster comes out at night, a “frost” appears on car windshields – it was little details like that that gave the story its own signature.
Cutting to the chase: WE ALL… was a good episode and it is that classic moral tale of taking responsibility for one’s actions. I dig Holland ’s style and he certainly did not disappoint here. It is one of the more memorable episodes of season two and it is one that I will go back and watch again. If you like clown-based horror, Holland ’s previous films, or the “MOH” series, you may like it. It is not as “experimental” as some of the other episodes of the series, but it is a well-crafted, straight-forward film which feels very familiar and comfortable. I give WE ALL SCREAM FOR ICE CREAM a 7 out of 10.