The moment the news leaked last year that cult actor Crispin Hellion Glover’s next role would be that of Willard (first portrayed by Bruce Davison in the 1971 original), fans were ecstatic. Sunday’s Alamo Drafthouse Downtown premiere of the finished film (with Glover, director Glen Morgan, and producer James Wong in attendance) proved the casting coup right on the proverbial money, with Glover ratcheting up his trademark lunatic calm to histrionic levels unseen since he nearly kickboxed David Letterman’s face off a decade ago. “This is our dream audience — you’re exactly who we make movies for,” enthused Morgan, as audience members gushed over the film’s many Hitchcockian homages and subtle inside gags. No word on whether a remake of the original sequel Ben will happen, but Glover’s spookily proactive mantra, “Tear it up!” is a guaranteed catch phrase for marginalized misfits everywhere. Ratatouille, anyone?
This article appears in March 7 • 2003.