I'm not sure if I missed something, or if the lousy condition of the video I rented or the fact that it was not widescreen is to blame, but, in my opinion, this film was very tired. The plot, which revolves around a ridiculous "murderer musical"'s cast being stalked by a mad killer is almost non-existant. Basically-madman escapes, madman stalks isolated group of people, madman kills them (with various handy household items), actors try to escape/fight back, "final girl" finds the bodies of everyone, manages to survive, and comes face to face with a shocking "twist" ending. Sound familiar? Maybe because that's the same formula most slashers have followed since "Halloween". The film does keep one of the things I like about "Halloween"-that the killer does not have a reason, and you know who he is the whole time. But the "shock ending" really doesn't measure up.
Now, I know what you're saying-"Doc, we don't watch *slasher* films for the plot". Well, if you in it just for the gore, this movie is for you. If you're in it for the familiarity, this will do, mostly. In my opinion, and remember, we're talking junky old pan and scan video tape here, this movie lacks style, a semblance of acting, decent sets, decent props, likeable/semi-realistic (i.e. way to much "who the hell would do that?") characters and the ending is just ludicrous. So, next you tell me, "The director's *playing* with the genre's conventions", "The movie is deliberately surreal, blending fantasy and reality" or "It's a spoof". Well, I didn't find it amusing as a spoof, the new "spins" on the formula didn't work, and the "blending" was just lame.
Now, I know what you're saying-"Doc, we don't watch *slasher* films for the plot". Well, if you in it just for the gore, this movie is for you. If you're in it for the familiarity, this will do, mostly. In my opinion, and remember, we're talking junky old pan and scan video tape here, this movie lacks style, a semblance of acting, decent sets, decent props, likeable/semi-realistic (i.e. way to much "who the hell would do that?") characters and the ending is just ludicrous. So, next you tell me, "The director's *playing* with the genre's conventions", "The movie is deliberately surreal, blending fantasy and reality" or "It's a spoof". Well, I didn't find it amusing as a spoof, the new "spins" on the formula didn't work, and the "blending" was just lame.