Plot Details: This opinion reveals minor details about the movie's plot.

I read a lot of reviews before buying this Treehouse of Horror DVD. There is a lot of controversy amongst Simsons collectors about whether this release is worthy of a fan’s collection. I decided to jump on it because the TOH episodes are my favorites, it will be years before all these are released in their respective seasonal box sets, it’s fun having several TOH’s on one disc, and it’s cheap. You get what you pay for, though. There wasn’t a lot of time or imagination invested. For example, while I love the cover and menu images, they have nothing to do with any of the episodes included. There is no vampire Burns; the images are from an episode nowhere to be found on this release. That’s kind of annoying, but it’s not a major point in the purchase decision. The menus are nothing like what collector’s are used to: no animation, no music, no gags. The video quality is not quite up to the standards of the boxed collections and there aren’t any notes to go along with it. What it boils down to is you buying 4 Simpsons episodes and a short bonus video and nothing else.

The bonus video is a collage of various Kang and Kodos appearances. It’s funny, but nothing the avid Simpsons viewer hasn’t seen already. Don’t go into it expecting something original, you’ll be disappointed. One other note, while the first 3 episodes are in sequence (5,6,7) the last one is not 8. I don’t understand the logic here; I would think they might release 5-8 this year with 9-12 next year. I guess they wanted to release a recent one or something. Will we get 8,9,10, and 13 next?

Is it worth it? I don’t know, some Simpsons fans want the company to focus solely on getting the seasons out more quickly and are therefore put off by any distractions. If you’re dying to see the TOH’s like I was, then, yes, it’s probably worthy. If it cost any more than it does I would change my tune, but at least it’s a cheap tide-over for some fans until the seasons are all out. If you don’t like the Simpsons enough to get the box sets but want some good viewing material for Halloween, this is probably worth a glace for you, too.

Hmmm, speaking of you, I’ve kind of left you out haven’t I? I’ve been speaking from the view of a collector when this release is suited for a less avid fan. This is a good opportunity to give the Simpsons show a try even if you’re only doing it for the humorous Halloween content. The TOH’s don’t follow any continuity. In fact, they don’t always feature the Simsons characters as themselves; they may be imitating characters from classic literature or the story may be taken from a Twilight Zone episode. Reality may be changed, Bart burned up in the sun, Homer transported to the real world, or any number of things that wouldn’t fit in a normal episode. It’s the adaptations and unusual antics that appeal to me. Here’s a summary of the episodes you get. I don’t know all the cultural references, so I’ll just point out a few I’m sure of.

V- 1 The Shinning: a parody of The Shining. The family is keeping up Mr. Burns’ lodge over the winter. Homer is stuck with no beer and no cable which drives him crazy.
2 Time & Punishment: Homer travels through time. As he changes the past he is greeted with unexpected results in his own time. This is one of my favorites.
3 Nightmare Cafeteria: The cafeteria is running out of meat and the detention hall is over-crowded. The mutual solution? Sloppy Jimbo sandwiches. I hope cannibalism doesn’t make you want to upchuck.

VI-1 Attack Of The 50ft Eyesores: The giant billboard people come to life and ravage the town. Can Homer give up his giant donut to save them? Not exactly spooky.
2 Nightmare On Evergreen Terrace: a Nightmare on Elm Street parody with Willie in the role of Freddy. Kind of a lame ending, but not bad for the most part.
3 Homer3: (as in cubed). Homer is pulled into an alternate dimension… the third dimension. See Homer and Bart rendered in 3D! His family tries to save him until he is sucked into a black hole. Not really a Halloween story, but the most unique animation ever featured on the show.

VII- 1 The Thing And I: Bart is a Siamese twin separated from his brother at birth. Thinking the other one is pure evil, Homer and Marge lock the kid up in the attic. Bart and Lisa become curious and let Hugo out of the attic! The chase is on, but Hugo doesn’t want to run, he wants to be rejoined with Bart.
2 The Genesis Tub: Lisa accidentally creates life during a science project. The people think she is God and Bart is the devil. They advance enough scientifically to shrink Lisa to their size and bring her into their world, but now she’s stuck and at Bart’s ignorant mercy. Not much of a Halloween type story.
3 Citizen Kang: Kang & Kodos assume the form of Bill Clinton and Bob Dole and run against each other for president. Homer takes it upon himself to rescue the politicians from the alien spacecraft prison.

XII- 1 Hex & The City: Homer ticks off a gypsy who curses the Simpsons. Weird things start happening so Homer is advised to catch a Leprechaun. The little Irishman is supposed to be able to lift the curse, but it doesn’t go as planned. Not one of my favorite TOH stories. The Leprechaun voice is annoying.
2 House of Whacks: The Simpsons house is fully automated and computerized. The house is set to imitate Pierce Brosnan who quickly develops an obsession for Marge. The house decides to kill Homer and take Marge for himself. It’s not ghosts and goblins, but it’s still got a Twilight Zone feel.
3 Wiz Kids: A Harry Potter parody. Wizards in training Bart and Lisa face off against the evil Montymort. It deals with magic but doesn’t have the Halloween feel that other TOH stories have had.
There’s also an epilogue featuring Pierce Brosnan again as himself and the Leprechaun.

There’s not much more I can tell you to help you decide to buy or avoid this release. Just think about how much you like these particular episodes balanced with how long it will be before their respective seasons will see store shelves. It’s a fun disc to put in on Halloween night. The episodes get a high entertainment rating from me, but the poor A/V quality compared to what I’ve come to expect coupled with the simplicity of the DVD design drag the overall rating down.


Recommended: Yes

Viewing Format: DVD
Video Occasion: Better than Watching TV
Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children Age 13 and Older