“There are some advantages to being dead.”
While most Disney Channel films are enjoyable, especially for their target audience, they rarely rise above the level of Hallmark Channel films. They are generally well done films, but they all tell the same basic story and viewers almost always know the ending well before it actually arrives on the screen. That being said, 2002’s The Scream Team is a delightful treat. It’s cast is well above average and includes a comedy legend, an In Living Color veteran, and an actress who always shines in her roles. It also includes a youngster who will go on to bigger and better things.
The legend is none other than Monty Python‘s Eric Idle. The veteran is Tommy Davidson, whose physical comedy and multiple characters made him a fan favorite on In Living Color. The shining actress is Kathy Najimy, who Disney fans know as Mary Sanderson, the child-smelling witch sister in Hocus Pocus. The youngster? None other than Kat Dennings, who would go on to star in 2 Broke Girls, The 40-Year-Old Virgin, Thor, and many more films and television shows.
In the film, Dennings portrays Claire Carlyle, who teams up with her little brother, Ian (Mark Rendall), to help their recently deceased grandfather (Gary Reineke) cross over into the afterlife. Unfortunately for the duo, their grandfather’s soul has been captured by Zachariah Kull (Kim Coates), a local legend whose ghost is stealing the souls of the deceased who aren’t ready to cross over to the afterlife due to unfinished business. Kull is out for revenge on the town of Steeple Falls for burning him at the stake over two hundred years prior to the film. Accused of murdering his own wife, Kull is collecting souls in order to build up enough power to get his revenge.
Ian and Claire enlist the help of the “Soul Patrol” to help them rescue their grandfather and all of the other souls that Kull has collected. The “Soul Patrol” consists of Jumper (Davidson), Mariah (Najimy) and Coffin Ed (Idle), who help the deceased cross over. Sometimes they have to wrangle up lost souls and Jumper and Coffin Ed are sent out to catch the wandering spirits.
Kull proves to be a powerful foe for the Soul Patrol. As their battle goes along, Claire uncovers the truth about Kull and the greedy intentions of a local man named Warner (Nigel Bennett) who is profiting off of Kull’s legend. Can the Soul Patrol stop Kull? Will the truth ever be revealed about the death of Kull’s wife? You’ll have to check out The Scream Team in order to find out!
Despite some sketchy CGI, this film is surprisingly good. The cast is solid, especially Idle, Najimy, and Davidson. Kim Coates was a superb choice to portray the vengeful Hull, but his performance is hindered by the bad CGI. Dennings and Rendall do great jobs as well. The film does have a somewhat slow start, but things pick up after the first ten minutes or so.
Of all of the Disney Channel horror films that I’ve watched, this one is definitely one of my favorites. It’s funny, has a great story, and has just enough scares to satisfy a family wanting a film that’s a little bit spooky and a little bit funny. I recommend giving it a look.
As always, thanks for reading my post. More ghouls and ghosts are on the way tomorrow!
Ken's Alternate Universe! 