Here's one savage revenge flick that has remake potential, something I would remake. Following the tragic death of their marine father (Atkins) the surviving son and daughter go to live with the Uncle and Aunt out on an amusement park, out in the country. But what follows is nothing but amusing. A group of bullies led by Eddie Dutra (Spader) in one of his best performances, have been terrorising the town's folk, on a daily basis. When rejected by Loughlin who'd rather date the clean cut Stoltz, again in a very nice boy role, Spader takes it not ever so lightly, so begins a nightmare of terror and games for the new kids, who are finally forced to strike back, as enough becomes enough. Spader who I consider one of the best actors of his generation, gives a no holds barred creepy and unsettling performance as the town thug, joined by his unsavoury and creepy mates, one being Philpin a little backward. There's an irony to him and the park burning down at the end, just check out Grandview U.S.A. Spader plays bad well, if seeing him in the current The Blacklist is any indication, where I'd call it a solid confirmation, The Blacklist, being the acting pinnacle of his career. As this is from the makers of The Friday 13th's etc, this is more a psychological thriller than a horror, with some gruesome if disturbing moments, especially for animal lovers I warn you, where I was never more content to see the baddies die. The catalyst of the movie, of course being Spader's rejection, it was interesting to see how far he would personally take it, and when the new kids returned fire, it's a much gladdened moment. The climax in the amusement park is one of excitement, the movies highpoint, which like Savage Streets, shows us how revengeful justice is fittingly appropriate and warranted to those scum deserving. The New Kids a.k.a Striking Back isn't good or great, but a thrilling good time or one flick to kill 90 minutes of revenge loving viewing, where the onus really falls on the weight of the performers who do deliver good acting.
Review of The New Kids
