Reviewer's Rating 3 out of 5
Frankenhooker DVD (2000)

Here's a horror-comedy that has the dubious virtue of being as offensive as it is bizarre. Made back to back with the same director's "Basket Case 2", this remarkably cheap movie looks surprisingly good on DVD.

James Lorinz plays an aspiring scientist whose skills are put to the test when his girlfriend is the victim of a run-in with a remote-controlled lawnmower. With only her brain left intact, he slings it into his chest freezer and proceeds to pick up hookers and use his favourite parts of their anatomy to create a perfect body for his beloved's brain. (Shades of "The Man With Two Brains" but let's not quibble.)

Not a film for the faint-hearted as every last body part looks sufficiently gruesome on a picture transfer that is overall quite clear. Unfortunately the disc is not so adept at handling reds with some nasty colour bleed in places, though it is still better quality than the original VHS release.

The sound quality is fine with a sharp 2.0 mix. The bubbling of body parts bobbing about in a gunk-filled chest freezer certainly works well.

Extras are limited to the trailer and the usual showcase of other Synegry releases so don't expect to learn anything new about your favourite movie, though trivia freaks may be interested to know that Louise Lasser, who plays Jeffrey's mother, used to be married to Woody Allen and appeared in several of his early films.

Chapters: 13
Ratio: 1.33:1
Sound: Dolby Digital 2.0
Extra Features: Scene selection, trailer, Synergy trailer showcase.

End Credits

Director: Frank Henenlotter

Writer: Robert Martin, Frank Henenlotter

Stars: James Lorinz, Patty Mullen, Charlotte Helmkaup, Shirley Stoler, Louise Lasser, Joseph Gonzalez

Genre: Horror, Comedy

Length: 80 minutes

DVD: 16 October 2000

Country: USA