When it works, FREAKED is quite hilarious and jaw-droppingly cool. However, when it doesn't work, it's a slew of tired in-jokes that only the cast, crew and family members would dare to guffaw at. It's this mixed bag mentality that may cause some to be turned off by the antics. However, the strong points are so damn strong, it's really not even worth holding them up against the films' weaknesses.

Alex Winter (who also directed) stars as Ricky Coogin. A self-absorbed celebrity who seems to have as many fans as he does enemies. Ricky has taken on his latest role that of spokesman for the Everything Except Shoes Corporation, and he's heading to Santa Flan to promote a toxin called Zygrot 24. With his friend Ernie (Michael Stoyanov, who I'll always remember as Anthony Russo from Blossom) in tow, the two encounter environmental protests as soon as they touch down. One such protester named Julie (cutie Megan Ward), unwittingly joins their clan after accepting a ride. Our threesome winds up at an out of the way Freak Show run by a real character named Elijah C. Skuggs (Randy Quaid). Little do they know, but Skuggs is in the midst of some lethal experiments with Zygrot 24, and has been creating his own mutant freaks to fill his sideshow for some time. Our hapless heroes succumb to Skuggs god-like experiments and become freaks of their own. Ricky is transformed into some type of hideous man-beast, while Julie and Ernie are combined into a two headed boy-girl monstrosity.

Introduced to their new accommodations, they quickly befriend a band of mutants who reside at the Freak Show as well. This includes the bearded lady (played by Mr. T), a Wolf Boy, Nose for a Head guy, the human worm, and sock puppet head (voiced by Bobcat Goldwaith) to name a few. It's up to the clan of freaks to figure a way out of Skuggs lair, put an end to the Everything Except Shoes Corporation and experience the feeling of sweet delicious freedom once again.

Once you get past the failed humor, there's a lot to like here. The good news is there are a lot of jokes around every corner; the bad news is that they don't all work. While FREAKED is wholly predictable (the story is told in flashback fashion after all), its clever execution and set pieces are what really make it work. Best of all, is that there's no questioning anything that happens in this bizarre world. No matter how outrageous the Freak (and the make up is top notch here) or strange the setting (there are some great sets and matte paintings) we accept everything, plain and simple. Much in the same way that Killer Klowns From Outer Space or Beetlejuice create these alternate worlds where just about anything can happen, FREAKED lives in a universe all it's own...and it exists...at least during the running time of the film.

At its centerpiece are the effects. Incredibly effective practical make up effects highlight each of the Freaks in addition to the incredible set pieces and (sometimes cheap, yet) cool matte paintings. This is a project that comes across as being very close to the hearts of those involved and it really shows. While the humor can at times be extremely juvenile, there's almost always an underlying cleverness throughout. Whether it's social commentary or a quick-witted pop culture reference, there's almost always a certain level of intelligence behind the stupidity.

I've always liked Alex Winter, all the way from The Lost Boys to Bill and Ted's, he's the stoner slacker that SHOULD'VE gotten the recognition, not that Keanu character (who happens to have a cameo here, and was reportedly paid 1 million for it but you'll never recognize him). Winter has taken writing, directing and acting credits in this film, and it's obviously his baby all the way. He's a talent, and maybe this re release will give him the recognition that he deserves.

Anchor Bay has done a bang up job with this release. In addition to the super cool slip case packaging, FREAKED has been given a heck of an audio/visual overhaul. For starters, the brand new anamorphic transfer is quite stunning, with nary a blemish to be found. A brand new 5.1 mix is an audio highlight as well and while I usually don't go for the audio remixes...it works.

This is obviously a special edition with fans in mind, because this 2-Disc set is just packed with goodies. We'll start with Disc 1, which contains the feature film in addition to an assortment of bonus features. First up is a feature length commentary with Alex Winter and co-writer Tom Stern. The track is good times; the two have a lot of fun pointing out facts and flubs, ragging on co-stars etc. This is followed by a clip called A Conversation With Tim Burns (running approx 20-minutes), a co-writer who really isn't represented anywhere else in the extras. Disc 1 is finished off with a trailer and some production sketches.

Now onto Disc 2. There are a slew of featurettes that could have probably been combined. There Are No Weirdos Here features some random rehearsals. It's The Troll is a brief feature on annoying youngin' Stuey Gluck, Under Construkshen (no, not a typo) shows some brief footage of sets and props being built while Behold...The Beast Boy shows some behind the scenes make up effects sessions. Two early short films follow these clips by Alex Winter and Tom Stern (Squeal of Death and NYU Sight and Sound Project). Finally, there's a full rehearsal version of the film that runs about 84 minutes. The actors run through the length of the film, including some lines that didn't make the final cut. It's great candid stuff, but I doubt anyone (unless you're a REAL die hard fan) will want to run through this thing more than once, if even. And there you have it. FREAKED is a fun flick and the DVD is packed with great A/V and extras. Kudos to those behind FREAKED and Anchor Bay for bringing this one to us, definitely recommended.