C.H.U.D. is a perfect example of an enduring cult classic. Recently the film was released on DVD as part of The Cult Classic Film Series. Unfortunately there were no new added special features other than the audio commentary which had already been available in a previous release. C.H.U.D. stands for cannibalistic humanoid underground dwellers. There has been some dumping of toxic waste into the sewers of New York city and the homeless population that seek shelter underground are mutating into monsters with cool, glowing yellow eyes.

Here are two interesting bits of trivia that I believe most people are not aware of. Both John Heard (who plays George Cooper) and Daniel Stern (who plays 'The Reverend') have worked together in the past in a little family film called Home Alone. Now for you perfectionists out there: C.H.U.D. (according to the film itself) really stands for Contaminative Hazard Urban Disposal. We find this out towards the end when Bosch confronts Wilson.

The story revolves around the homeless and the characters that are sympathetic towards them, ignore them, or just want to put an end to the C.H.U.D. attacks which are springing up more and more. George is a fashion photographer that has decided to photograph bums as well. "The Reverend" (I guess they call him this because he pastor’s his bum brothers) runs a soup kitchen and treats the forsaken with dignity. And if I forgot to mention earlier, the whole thing takes place on the gritty New York city streets, especially inside the sewers. The movie would have been a bleak unwatchable disaster if it wouldn’t have been for the fact that the bums mutate into grotesque killers. My favorite character has to be Captain Bosch, played by Christopher Curry. He is drawn into this personally because a C.H.U.D. abducted his wife one night while she was walking her dog.

Soon enough Bosch and "The Reverend" find nuclear items in the sewers while probing and questioning homeless. Later on men in radioactive suites with flamethrowers go underground to explore and possibly cook some C.H.U.D. barbeque. Bosch’s wife’s head washes up on the shore and the C.H.U.D. take some more lives. You don’t see much of the creature until the end, but when you do it’s pretty exciting. There is a scene where George’s wife is taking a shower (no gifts here) and when she reaches down to unclog the shower drain her naked body is splattered with blood when the drain spits it out . I always enjoy seeing blood on a woman.

Nearing the end we have George and "The Reverend" (damn what a stupid name for this bozo) trapped underground with the police preparing to flood the sewers with gas. Meanwhile George’s wife is battling a C.H.U.D. in her apartment who came in through her basement. I didn’t know that New York city basements were connected to sewers! Then she courageously chops one of their heads off while her husband George has unexpectedly been shot in the back by Wilson. I don’t remember if he lives or not. I think he just slumps over and relaxes there. Finally "The Reverend" saves the day by shooting Wilson in the chest. Wilson’s car tire get’ s caught in the open man-hole and the leaking gas causes a great explosion!

I found the script to be fun, hip, and very entertaining. The acting was very good. The creature costumes could have been better but I loved them just the way they were, especially the yellow eyes. For the time and budget they did a good job. My only wish would have been a bit more viscous creature killings and maybe a little skin to seal the deal.

- Jorge Antonio Lopez