Here's an odd one: plot development is decidedly lackadaisical, such that the film is almost half over before it starts to feel like it's slowly begun to pick up. In the interval, we get expository dialogue and scene writing that's at most indirectly tied to the predominant narrative, but somehow a lot of it is weirdly endearing... or even funny? (Not all, mind you - there's some tired, passing ableism, and some crude lines that just don't land.) Of course, for a monster movie, even one in which visualization thereof is pointedly reserved for much later in the runtime, it doesn't necessarily speak well to the picture that the horror element rears its head only a few times and very briefly for the first two-thirds of the length. To that point, I assume it was concern for a low budget that so heavily restricted the realization of any abnormal goings-on. With this said, 'The boogens' does manage to be enjoyable, largely on account of charming characters and cast members - though by the same token, this isn't why we're watching it.
In fact given such piecemeal, unbothered development, and the way the horror element is so emphatically shoved into a small corner, to no small extent this comes across as a made-for-TV movie. It distinctly feels like the type of flick that might have aired on ABC with minimal spookiness lest the delicate sensibilities of the Average American Family be overwhelmed. But this is clearly not the case as we note "R"-rated content, so what happened here? All the elements are present for a low-grade genre flick of at least some entertainment, and so it is in its way, yet David O'Malley and Jim Kouf's screenplay minimizes the blood and violence seemingly as much as it can.
For what it's worth, while hardly the pinnacle of the genre, I think everything looks and sounds good. The filming locations are lovely, and the production design and art direction strike me as solid. Any effects on hand look good, including blood; if slightly kitschy, Paul Hipp's cinematography and the creature design are both just fine. Again, I quite like the cast; Rebecca Balding, Fred McCarren, and Anne-Marie Martin, among others, actually do a really great job. All the contributions of those behind the scenes are splendid. And while the horror aspect is broadly pushed back to the very last segment of the film, the last 10-20 minutes are, I'm pleased to say, fairly exciting and well done. Even if we can easily predict who is going to survive by the end of the movie, 'The boogens' is ultimately a good bit of fun.
It's not unfair to say, however, that this probably won't find especial favor with the average viewer. I think I tend to be rather generous and open-minded when it comes to the movies I watch, and I exacted unexpected enjoyment from the substantial portion that was just interactions between the chief characters, well before the climax. I don't think for one moment this will hold true for most folks. All told I think this manages to be slightly better than average in my book, though I'd hardly begrudge anyone who thought lesser of it. 'The boogens' is not an essential watch by any means, but as far as little-known monster flicks of yesteryear go, this isn't half bad.
