Wrestling icon “Rowdy” Roddy Piper having to reproduce with the planet’s last remaining females in a nuclear war-torn world overrun with villainous mutant amphibians? Oh yes, this is as cult as cult entertainment gets, and Hell Comes to Frogtown is a longtime favourite of many a genre fan. Now though, the guys over at Arrow Video have put together a cleaned-up HD restoration of this beloved bonkers B-movie.
Plot-wise, Piper plays Sam Hell, an ex-con who just so happens to be one of the last few fertile men in the world. With the offer of having his previous crimes and convictions overturned if he helps the government repopulate, Hell finds himself and his, err, weapon becoming key components in rebuilding civilisation; the ongoing war has killed off 68% of the planet’s males, and the majority of the surviving fellas have been made sterile. But impregnating a bunch of hot and sassy females isn’t as easy as it sounds, for the majority of these fertile women are being held as prisoners in the ominous Frogtown. As the name would suggest, this particular locale is the home to a gang of no-good, nefarious mutant frogs who will do whatever it takes to take down the human race, even if that means taking out Hell and his potent manhood.
Hell Comes to Frogtown sounds just as crazy today as it did upon its release back in 1988, and it’s also just as glorious today as it’s ever been – if not more so, given the high-definition version of the film that’s now available. Brimming with classic ‘80s cheese, machismo, insta-quotable dialogue, a bevy of beauties and some ridiculous-yet-brilliant monstrous bad guys, watching Hell Comes to Frogtown, even to this day, is a viewing experience that’s truly unique.
To be honest, this “new” release is actually a re-release of a 2014 version of the film, but making this perfect release of such an imperfectly perfect movie available once more is more than welcome. In addition to the HD treatment for Frogtown, the special features include Grappling with Green Gargantuans, which is an absolutely fascinating chat with Roddy Piper about his experiences on the film. As ever with Piper, he’s a presence who is never anything but engaging, regaling viewers with stories and facts that feel as if he’s personally reaching out of the screen to talk to you as a dear old friend. It’s here that Roddy Piper the man shines through even more as he explains that he was never more natural on a set than when he was working on Hell Comes to Frogtown, even going as far as to describe the gig as far more natural and fun than the more-renowned They Live.
If you loved Hell Comes to Frogtown the first time around, you’ll find this release an even more enjoyable watch. Similarly, if you’ve never seen this cult favourite of so many, there’s never been a better time to pick it up. And for those who are longstanding fans of “Rowdy” Roddy Piper, seeing RP in action once again will only serve to make you miss this pop culture icon even more.
Special Features: Three featurettes / Extended scene / Original trailer
HELL COMES TO FROGTOWN / CERT: 15 / DIRECTOR: DONALD G. JACKSON, R.J. KIZER / SCREENPLAY: RANDALL FRAKES / STARRING: RODDY PIPER, SANDAHL BERGMA, CEC VERRELL, WILLIAM SMITH, JULIUS LEFLORE, RORY CALHOUN / RELEASE DATE: OUT NOW
