Universal Studios Hollywood HHN 2008
Oct. 18th
And now, the mazes, from "meh" to "Holy $#&+ !"
If you know the park, then you're familiar with the House of Horrors, a grab-bag tribute to the classic Uni monster crew. The only difference from the routine experience is that there are more live performers inside, most of them dressed up as the aforementioned trio from the aforementioned film. They are chilling, and Doll Face pokes her bloody carving knife at ya real good. But this one was the least goose-pimple-raising maze of the night. Probably because we've been through this so many times already.
The Friday the 13th Camp Blood maze is considerably better, and here the Universal scare-meisters really start showing off. There are several "environments" inside, one of them being a pine-scented forest, and both Jason and his victims are portrayed with unnerving verve. This is where the "Rated M for Mature" stuff starts going down big-time, illustrated no better than by the amorous couple who get a little more, ahem, "penetration" than they bargained for. If you're a fan of this über-successful fright-film series, then this one's a keeper.
A Nightmare on Elm Street is one of my all-time favorite horror movies and even the weakest of the many sequels are still entertaining. So I was ready to dive right in to this one.
We start by entering the house at which the carnage began and the various rooms inside reference many of the other films in the series. The overall production values of this maze are stellar and the scares are very intense. Loved the "Roach Motel" section (squishy!) and look out for mutant baby Freddy! We stayed off of the Jurassic Park Nightmare ride because we didn't want to get wet... but we got wet anyway, inside this bad boy. The boiler room, the girl on the bed, the "dinner scene," man, so many happy memories... Fantastic!
The only maze on the lower lot is The Texas Chainsaw Massacre - Back In Business, tucked behind the Mummy coaster. This is one USH is most proud of, and rightfully so.
Put a big guy in a mask made from human flesh and hand him a chainsaw, and you've got a pretty frightening character already. But that's just the beginning. Again, production values here are big-budget quality, better than I've ever seen anywhere else, Knott's included. And the actors inside, even the ones who aren't threatening to turn you into dogmeat, are freaky-deaky; when you see someone getting treated badly, believe me, they are selling it. But when Leatherface comes at you - as he does, over and over and over again - it'll turn you into a quivering, yelping pile of wuss every time. Be prepared for shocks that you won't soon forget. And that bit in the "lavatory?" Your gag reflex will get a real work-out. As terrifying as they come, and maybe the grossest maze ever, TCM-BIB alone makes the admission price worthwhile. Simply magnificent.
Oh, yeah, almost forgot to mention - at the end of the tram tour (which also takes you through the rotating tunnel gag), they show a quick trailer for The Wolfman on the overhead video screens. Kinda wished it was longer, but from what little you can see, it looks pretty cool. Casting Benecio Del Toro in the title role was a stroke of genius.
Overall, I'd say Knott's still owns the title belt for West Coast Halloween events. They've got the history, they've got the size, and they seem to have more monsters per square foot. But none of Scary Farm mazes competes with the level of finish you'll find at the best of the Universal attractions. HHN is now on my permanent Halloween "To Do" list.
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