**May contain spoilers**
I've sat through many of Sean S. Cunningham's directorial efforts and this is the best one I've seen yet. In the annals of '80s revenge movies it isn't quite as good as Mark L. Lester's CLASS OF 1984 but it's not for lack of trying.
Army brats Lori Loughlin and Shannon Presby go to live with their aunt and uncle in Florida. They're soon set upon by the local drug-happy thugs led by James Spader and John Philbin. (Spader, in case you haven't noticed, is real good at playing creepozoids and he outdoes himself here. Philbin's character has the kind of perpetually obnoxious sneer you just want to blow off with a twelve-gauge.) The harassment begins with verbal abuse and unwanted hits on Loughlin, then escalates to vandalism, attempted rape and murder. The New Kids, like the hero of STRAW DOGS, finally realize that it's time to fight back or die, to kill or be killed. The finale features a pit bull, shotguns, fire and a booby trap that would make Wes Craven proud. The final shot of the movie is a real chiller.... I only have one regret. I wish I'd had the guts to do to the bullies in my past what Presby and Loughlin do to this bunch. I'd be a better man today, and the world would be a better place.
I've sat through many of Sean S. Cunningham's directorial efforts and this is the best one I've seen yet. In the annals of '80s revenge movies it isn't quite as good as Mark L. Lester's CLASS OF 1984 but it's not for lack of trying.
Army brats Lori Loughlin and Shannon Presby go to live with their aunt and uncle in Florida. They're soon set upon by the local drug-happy thugs led by James Spader and John Philbin. (Spader, in case you haven't noticed, is real good at playing creepozoids and he outdoes himself here. Philbin's character has the kind of perpetually obnoxious sneer you just want to blow off with a twelve-gauge.) The harassment begins with verbal abuse and unwanted hits on Loughlin, then escalates to vandalism, attempted rape and murder. The New Kids, like the hero of STRAW DOGS, finally realize that it's time to fight back or die, to kill or be killed. The finale features a pit bull, shotguns, fire and a booby trap that would make Wes Craven proud. The final shot of the movie is a real chiller.... I only have one regret. I wish I'd had the guts to do to the bullies in my past what Presby and Loughlin do to this bunch. I'd be a better man today, and the world would be a better place.