If Lamberto Bava is to be remembered for anything besides being the son of Late Maria Bava, it would have to be his DEMONS legacy. Written alongside and produced by Dario Argento during the height of the Eurohorror boom of the early to mid 80’s, both films ended up becoming a high mark in horror cinema. In my opinion Lamberto Bava has released several great movies, but within the circles of genre fans, these are the two main titles that stick out for many. They spawned several unofficial sequels, including Bava’s own excellent LA MASCHERA DEL DEMONIO and the not so liked LA CASA DELL’ORCO (also known as THE OGRE). Practically plotless, but high on style and non-stop violent mayhem, both movies are now re-released under the Starz logo. The main point of this review is to tell you to go replace your old Anchor Bay copies now. These two new anamorphic discs are more than just a step up in the quality department. They simply are incredible transfers all the way around.

DEMONS is the better transfer of the two and also the better movie. The plot is simple. Several people get special invitations to a grand opening of a renovated movie theater to watch a horror movie. The onscreen horror is based around a demonic mask, which also happens to be hanging in the lobby. When one of the girls tries on the mask and accidentally cuts herself, just like the film they are watching, she turns into a demon and starts ripping apart the other patrons. Once bitten or scratched, much like in Sam Raimi’s EVIL DEAD series, you then become a demon. The rest of the theater panics and its pure gore pandemonium as they try to escape. Unfortunately for those left alive after the first onslaught, the theater has been bricked up with what looks like no escape. Highlights include Bobby Rhodes as Tony The Pimp, stuck in 70’s stereotype, yelling out machoistic orders to the rest of the survivors. But best of all are some excellent demon transformations, thanks to special effects artist Sergio Stivaletti. Plot might take a back seat, but between the stunning F/X and great cinematography, especially demons running down corridors with glowing eyes, this is one of the few times where style outweighs substance and it still works.

DEMONS 2 pretty much starts off where the first one ends. The world has been dominated by demons, only now it’s more of a strange documentary playing on television (no movie theater this time). The entire story takes place in a closed off apartment building full of victims. When Sally, who is just a real bitch, storms away from her own birthday party, she becomes obsessed with the documentary playing on her TV and becomes the first victim when a demon emerges from the television screen. Soon she is spreading the contagion by attacking one partygoer after another. A nice surprise is seeing a lot of the original cast back in different parts, including everyone’s favorite Bobby Rhodes, this time as a gym instructor ready to battle the demons once again with the same machismo but sans hookers. Many fans have problems with certain moments of DEMONS 2 and it is understandable. Most noted is the scene of the child possession. While I find his change to be just fine and feel it supplies some of the creepier elements in the film, I have to agree once the demon bursts from his body and runs amok, looking like a GREMLINS reject, it just gets a tad too silly. But for me, it is a minor complaint, since it only lasts about 8 minutes in a 90 minute feature. Just go with it and enjoy the rest.

Genre fans, especially those of us who enjoy Eurohorror from its heyday, already know about DEMONS and its influences on Italian cinema and the inspirations that lead to making both films. I could drone on and on, but won’t bore you with the details. The main inspiration (at least my guess) for these new re-releases is to make correct what once was a bad decision by Anchor Bay back in 1999 to release the films non-anamorphic and, well, let’s just say the transfers were okay at best. Now, they are stunning and whatever STARZ did to make these improvements, they should be applauded for their efforts. On a minor note, DEMONS 2 doesn’t quite hold up to the transfer work on DEMONS, but it’s still such an improvement over the original release. Besides, choosing the first and frankly better movie to put the extra effort into doesn’t make me complain one bit. I haven’t seen DEMONS look this good since I saw it back during the original theatrical release (at least 4 times I handed over my hard earned cash). For fans of both movies, it doesn’t matter if you don’t own them already, but even if you do, get rid of those old copies and pick up these two new discs. Better yet, give away your old discs to someone young who loves horror but hasn’t discovered Eurohorror like the rest of us yet. You will appreciate these new transfers and will be doing a service to the next generation of horror fans. Highly recommended.