Director Frank Oz’s ebullient film adaptation of the smash Off-Broadway musical — itself based on a 1960 Roger Corman B horror movie — developed an instant cult following for its gleefully macabre tale of star-crossed skid-row lovers (the incomparable Rick Moranis and Ellen Greene) brought together and nearly torn apart by a giant, human-eating plant from outer space. But the film that reached theatres differed from Oz and songwriters Howard Ashman and Alan Menken’s original vision, chiefly in a newly invented happy ending added after test audiences rejected the stage version’s darker, apocalyptic finale.

Although the producers wanted a happy ending, unlike the original stage version, a very elaborate ending was shot using miniatures and visual camera effects. This was before Computer-Generated Imagery (CGI).

Now, this hilarious political satire has been digitally restored to its original director’s cut, featuring 20 minutes of never-before-seen footage including the full original ending. At this point, it’s pretty obvious that capitalism really can be monstrous. It really will just eat everybody. It’s so blunt, without a hint of subtlety. But does anyone go see a horror comedy satire musical hoping for subtlety? Or do you go because you want to see giant alien plant murdering the planet?

What a treat!

Enjoy Japanese food from Norimaki Bay from 4:30PM and drinks from our licensed bar from 6:00PM.