Review of Ben

An even weirder sequel to the original. One of the main rats of the first film, Ben, befriends a lonely boy, who like Bruce Davidson's adult social misfit character, Willard, did in the first film, uses his rat friends to take care of his enemies and also to keep the him in good spirits regarding his health condition. Things get difficult for the boy and Ben when the police get involved and try to stop to Ben and his underground colony of rat friends. Directed by journeyman director Phil Karlson ("Walking Tall" "Kansas City Confidential"), Ben is competently made, but the story is just ridiculous, though it is definitely enjoyable on a camp level. The film's memorable theme song sung by Michael Jackson over then end credits is the perfect coda to this weirdo movie.

Ben, the two of us need look no more

We both found what we were looking for

With a friend to call my own

I'll never be alone, and you, my friend, will see

You've got a friend in me

Ben, you're always running here and there

You feel you're not wanted anywhere

If you ever look behind and don't like what you find

There's something you should know, you've got a place to go

I used to say I and me, now it's us, now it's we

I used to say I and me, now it's us, now it's we

Ben most people would turn you away

I don't listen to a word they say

They don't see you as I do

I wish they would try to'

I'm sure they'd think again if they had a friend like Ben

A friend like Ben

And do yourself a favor and watch Crispin Glover's surreal music video cover version he directed for the "Willard" remake/reimagining. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J4HmRhnoa38