A brother and sister (Shannon Presby and Lori Loughlin) lose their parents in a tragic accident, and are sent to live with relatives in Florida. They are repeatedly bullied and traumatized by the local yahoo played wickedly by James Spader. What follows is a late night showdown at an empty carnival between good and evil, all in the name of survival. Lori Loughlin delivers a decent performance, as well does Shannon Presby as her very protective brother. However, James Spader's convincing performance is pure evil, at its best. As far as bully films go, this is one of the best.
52 Reviews
The New Kids aren't very welcome on The Block
Coventry28 December 2008
This very interesting but sadly underrated gem directed by Sean S. Cunningham ("Friday the 13th") offers an original variation of both the revenge thriller and vigilante action movie, since it has ordinary common high school teenagers in the lead roles. Basically this means the film begins with harsh but fairly harmless bullying but yet ends with extreme violence and relentless murder. The transition obviously isn't very plausible, as mean bully kids don't just turn into mad dog killers overnight, but "The New Kids" is nonetheless a competently made and occasionally very suspenseful thriller with tons of action, likable performances and an irresistibly charming 80's atmosphere. Following the sudden death of their beloved parents in an accident, athletic siblings Loren and Abby McWilliams move to Florida to help restore their uncle's ramshackle amusement park. They promptly run into conflict with the local school's gang of bullies because Abby refuses to accept an invitation to the dance from the tough leader Eddie Dutra. The mutual mockeries and paybacks gradually escalate into pure terrorizing until, one night, Dutra's entire gang invades the theme park with the intention to kill. Cunningham professionally builds up a tense and ominous atmosphere towards a highly explosive and grisly climax with some ultra-brutal killing sequences and engrossing make-up effects. The extreme violence will undoubtedly appeal to fans of 80's slashers as well as cheap and sleazy exploitation flicks of the 70's. The film benefices from an exceptionally great cast, with veteran B-movie stars as well as upcoming talents. Particularly James Spader is excellent and genuinely uncanny as the sleazy leader of the pack. Highly recommended to all type of cult movie fanatics.
"I'm Dutra. Do you know what that means?"
utgard1425 November 2014
Teenage orphans Abby (Lori Loughlin) and Loren (Shannon Presby) go to live with their aunt and uncle in Florida, who run a combination gas station and amusement park. Abby attracts the attention of scumbag Eddie Dutra (James Spader) and his redneck buddies. When Abby rejects them, the punks harass her and her family. Loren tries to get even which leads to Abby being kidnapped. Now it's a life or death showdown vs the rednecks.
Not a horror movie like the poster implies but an action-thriller that sadly has nothing to do with New Kids on the Block. The '80s was a decade full of revenge movies. Most were more brutal than this. But I suppose that might make this more accessible than, say, the Death Wish series. The cast here is decent. Shannon Presby had a short-lived career but that appears to be by choice as he does fine here. Lori Loughlin is very pretty and personable. Every time I see one of her pre-Full House movie roles I have to wonder what the world was smoking in the '80s that prevented her from becoming a bigger star. We're also teased with a nude shower scene from her in this but, alas, it's just a tease. Carrot-topped Eric Stoltz plays Lori's boyfriend. I doubt I'll ever fully get his appeal. Eddie Jones plays the likable but irresponsible uncle ("Soon enough, we're gonna be fartin' through silk"). Tom Atkins appears all-too-briefly. The guys playing the rednecks are over-the-top goofy and not the least bit scary. The standout of the movie is, obviously, a scenery-chewing platinum blonde James Spader as the creepy villain. It's his movie, really. This was written by Stephen Gyllenhaal, father of Maggie. She would later have her first big role in Secretary, which starred Spader. Two degrees of separation. The gang of school toughs that back up Spader do not seem like the kind of dudes a guy like him would be hanging with. Something tells me the part Spader was cast for and the part he played weren't exactly the same.
It's an OK time-passer. Nothing terribly special but worth a peek for fans of '80s cheese. Dig the montage with generic rock music when Loren prepares for the big fight. Love the '80s!
Not a horror movie like the poster implies but an action-thriller that sadly has nothing to do with New Kids on the Block. The '80s was a decade full of revenge movies. Most were more brutal than this. But I suppose that might make this more accessible than, say, the Death Wish series. The cast here is decent. Shannon Presby had a short-lived career but that appears to be by choice as he does fine here. Lori Loughlin is very pretty and personable. Every time I see one of her pre-Full House movie roles I have to wonder what the world was smoking in the '80s that prevented her from becoming a bigger star. We're also teased with a nude shower scene from her in this but, alas, it's just a tease. Carrot-topped Eric Stoltz plays Lori's boyfriend. I doubt I'll ever fully get his appeal. Eddie Jones plays the likable but irresponsible uncle ("Soon enough, we're gonna be fartin' through silk"). Tom Atkins appears all-too-briefly. The guys playing the rednecks are over-the-top goofy and not the least bit scary. The standout of the movie is, obviously, a scenery-chewing platinum blonde James Spader as the creepy villain. It's his movie, really. This was written by Stephen Gyllenhaal, father of Maggie. She would later have her first big role in Secretary, which starred Spader. Two degrees of separation. The gang of school toughs that back up Spader do not seem like the kind of dudes a guy like him would be hanging with. Something tells me the part Spader was cast for and the part he played weren't exactly the same.
It's an OK time-passer. Nothing terribly special but worth a peek for fans of '80s cheese. Dig the montage with generic rock music when Loren prepares for the big fight. Love the '80s!
James Spader plays a nut...again.
vertigo_148 May 2004
The New Kids is probably best for fans of the cast or anyone satisfied by mediocre teen 80s movies. This is one of those movies about a bunch of psychotic weirdos trying to do as much damage as possible to two innocent victims, leaving you to wonder what the heck these kids did to push the antagonists so far over the edge.
Here, our innocent victims are Abby (Lori Laughlin) and Loren (Shannon Presby). After their parents died, the brother and sister go to live in an amusement park (how awesome is that?) where their relatives (surrogate parent-types) live and work.
The psychos are led by Eddie Dutra (James Spader) a sadistic albino, and his gang of merry men (one of which is the excellent John Philbin who 80s fans will remember as 'Turtle' from the surf adventure, North Shore). Anyways, Eddie wants Abby, and what Eddie wants, he gets. But when Abby pushes him away after several forceful advances, sadistic control-freak Eddie doesn't want it to look like he let a girl weaken him. He and the gang go after Lorren, Abby, and their family, in a do or die situation.
Despite having a decent finale of chases and destruction, the movie has a very simple story. Unfortunately, it can also be quite sappy during those brother-sister inspiration talks. Abby and Lorren are willing to fight back against Eddie and his gang once and for all after so many of his vicious acts against them and their family, but for such tough kids (especially Abby), they do seem to come off as bitterly sappy sometimes.
Unfortunately, too, the movie has a very simple story. I watched it on the Spanish Channel (I don't understand Spanish) and I figured everything out alright. It's a generic story, but one you'll like if that's what you're into or if you're fans of the actors in this film.
Here, our innocent victims are Abby (Lori Laughlin) and Loren (Shannon Presby). After their parents died, the brother and sister go to live in an amusement park (how awesome is that?) where their relatives (surrogate parent-types) live and work.
The psychos are led by Eddie Dutra (James Spader) a sadistic albino, and his gang of merry men (one of which is the excellent John Philbin who 80s fans will remember as 'Turtle' from the surf adventure, North Shore). Anyways, Eddie wants Abby, and what Eddie wants, he gets. But when Abby pushes him away after several forceful advances, sadistic control-freak Eddie doesn't want it to look like he let a girl weaken him. He and the gang go after Lorren, Abby, and their family, in a do or die situation.
Despite having a decent finale of chases and destruction, the movie has a very simple story. Unfortunately, it can also be quite sappy during those brother-sister inspiration talks. Abby and Lorren are willing to fight back against Eddie and his gang once and for all after so many of his vicious acts against them and their family, but for such tough kids (especially Abby), they do seem to come off as bitterly sappy sometimes.
Unfortunately, too, the movie has a very simple story. I watched it on the Spanish Channel (I don't understand Spanish) and I figured everything out alright. It's a generic story, but one you'll like if that's what you're into or if you're fans of the actors in this film.
Nothing special, but fun enough.
Hey_Sweden26 March 2014
"The New Kids" is about average for this kind of film: competently if not stylishly made, routinely written, reasonably rousing for its big finish, and full of characters whom you can either like or loathe. And the sides are pretty well delineated: there are the good guys and there are the bad guys. And the bad guys do their able best to show you how much they deserve to die. Director Sean S. Cunningham, who despite efforts like this will always be best known as the original "Friday the 13th" guy, does a decent job, working from a script by future director Stephen Gyllenhaal (who also happens to be the father of Jake and Maggie G.). This is mostly a showcase for the younger crowd, with most of the adult cast relegated to minor roles. Certainly there is some capable production design present here, as well as a good music score by the always reliable Lalo Schifrin.
Lori Loughlin ('Full House') and Shannon Presby (making his only feature film appearance here) play Abby and Loren MacWilliams, two nice, ordinary teens who end up living with their uncle Charlie (Eddie Jones, 'Lois & Clark') and Aunt Fay (Lucy Martin, "Cops and Robbers") in Florida. They become the targets of degenerate prick Eddie Dutra (James Spader, 'The Blacklist') and his gang of repulsive redneck flunkies. Things escalate until a bloody showdown at the amusement park that uncle Charlie operates.
Cunningham does work with a pretty good cast here, also including Eric Stoltz as nice guy Mark, John Philbin ("The Return of the Living Dead"), the great (and too briefly seen) Tom Atkins ("Night of the Creeps") as Abby and Lorens' dad, Brad Sullivan ("The Untouchables") as Colonel Jenkins, and John D. LeMay, future star of the 'Friday the 13th' TV series, in a bit part. Loughlin and Presby do make their characters likable enough that you root for them, and Spader, Philbin and others are just so disagreeable that one just can't wait for them to get their comeuppance. Jones is engaging as a man who's a bit of a dreamer. There is a degree of 1980s style cheese to these proceedings (we get to hear the ditty "Stand Up" three times before this is over), but it's all pretty absorbing up to and including that climax. The final death is fitting and effective.
If you're an animal lover, though, you may be taken aback by the actions of Dutra & gang.
Seven out of 10.
Lori Loughlin ('Full House') and Shannon Presby (making his only feature film appearance here) play Abby and Loren MacWilliams, two nice, ordinary teens who end up living with their uncle Charlie (Eddie Jones, 'Lois & Clark') and Aunt Fay (Lucy Martin, "Cops and Robbers") in Florida. They become the targets of degenerate prick Eddie Dutra (James Spader, 'The Blacklist') and his gang of repulsive redneck flunkies. Things escalate until a bloody showdown at the amusement park that uncle Charlie operates.
Cunningham does work with a pretty good cast here, also including Eric Stoltz as nice guy Mark, John Philbin ("The Return of the Living Dead"), the great (and too briefly seen) Tom Atkins ("Night of the Creeps") as Abby and Lorens' dad, Brad Sullivan ("The Untouchables") as Colonel Jenkins, and John D. LeMay, future star of the 'Friday the 13th' TV series, in a bit part. Loughlin and Presby do make their characters likable enough that you root for them, and Spader, Philbin and others are just so disagreeable that one just can't wait for them to get their comeuppance. Jones is engaging as a man who's a bit of a dreamer. There is a degree of 1980s style cheese to these proceedings (we get to hear the ditty "Stand Up" three times before this is over), but it's all pretty absorbing up to and including that climax. The final death is fitting and effective.
If you're an animal lover, though, you may be taken aback by the actions of Dutra & gang.
Seven out of 10.
Entertaining high school revenge flick
udar5519 November 2010
Brother and sister Loren (Shannon Presby) and Abby (Lori Loughlin) find their lives turned upside down when their parents are killed in a car crash. Off they go to live with eccentric Uncle Charlie (Eddie Jones) at his rundown Santa's Funland amusement park in Florida. Naturally, they become the target of the local bullies led by Eddie Dutra (James Spader, with bleach blonde hair, horrific shirts and ridiculous accent). After slaughtering teens in Friday THE 13TH (1980), producer-director Sean Cunningham took it easy on them in SPRING BREAK (1983). Since that didn't deliver Friday level returns, he jumped back into the dead kids genre but with a 80s revenge motif rather than stalk-n-slash. This is about what you would expect from the time period save a nasty mean streak of violent death that sets it apart from something like bully classic THE KARATE KID (1984). Cunningham goes out of his way to make sure you never see the heroes kill anyone directly. I guess that is why they are the good guys? The film ends with the ridiculous coda of the Uncle's theme park thriving because of the shootout that happened there and a younger sibling of those offering a stare that can only mean THE NEW KIDS II. It never happened.
"The kids learned three things about southern hospitality: blood, sweat, and terror!"
Backlash00726 April 2002
The New Kids is a likable eighties movie from veteran horror director/producer Sean S. Cunningham (Friday the 13th). There are quite a few flaws in it, but it's too much fun to condemn for that. I stumbled across it in the horror section, and yet, it's the furthest thing from a horror flick. It's more along the lines of Paul Lynch's Bullies really. It could almost be considered a thriller, but there's just enough cheese on the surface to keep it from being too scary. It's still well worth a sitting though. The great, young cast is fun to watch, including Eric Stoltz (Killing Zoe) and James Spader (Wolf), who is hilarious and evil at the same time as the crazy redneck, Dutra. Another reason I like this film is the presence of one of my favorite genre actors, Tom Atkins (brief as it may be). The climax, well, the climax makes the movie. It's very well done (especially the pit bull scene) and everyone should walk away pleased. If you're looking for an interesting revenge flick, rent The New Kids.
The New Kids strike back in half decent flick of nastiness
videorama-759-8593917 March 2014
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.
WTF?
vukaroo21 August 2018
Warning: Spoilers
Seriously, the only way to define this film is by WTF. First of all, I love 80s movies and have made it somewhat of a personal mission to see as many films from that decade as possible. There are indeed many great flicks from the decade and then there are mediocre ones. The New Kids just falls into the category of WTF, so let me explain what I mean.
In The New Kids, a brother and a sister lose their parents in a car accident, so they move down to Florida with their aunt and uncle who run a little junkyard looking amusement park. Now, problems with the movie immediately arise with the acting. Lori Loughlin's character Abby is one of the protagonists of the film, yet she's totally static and seems barely phased by the death of her parents or the psychopathic actions of James Spader's character, Dutra and his gang of goons. Abby's brother Loren, played by Shannon Presby is a little more "dynamic" in his delivery, but he's made out to be like an unrealistic poster boy; well combed and always in control of the situation.
It seems that the 80s aesthetic is more important than a proper execution of the script. Come on, the cops knew that Dutra and his hooligans were up to no good, yet did nothing? Anyway, you'll have to see the movie to hopefully get what I mean, but the bottom line is, there's nothing very convincing about anything in it, and you just kind of end up asking yourself, WTF?
In The New Kids, a brother and a sister lose their parents in a car accident, so they move down to Florida with their aunt and uncle who run a little junkyard looking amusement park. Now, problems with the movie immediately arise with the acting. Lori Loughlin's character Abby is one of the protagonists of the film, yet she's totally static and seems barely phased by the death of her parents or the psychopathic actions of James Spader's character, Dutra and his gang of goons. Abby's brother Loren, played by Shannon Presby is a little more "dynamic" in his delivery, but he's made out to be like an unrealistic poster boy; well combed and always in control of the situation.
It seems that the 80s aesthetic is more important than a proper execution of the script. Come on, the cops knew that Dutra and his hooligans were up to no good, yet did nothing? Anyway, you'll have to see the movie to hopefully get what I mean, but the bottom line is, there's nothing very convincing about anything in it, and you just kind of end up asking yourself, WTF?
No prizes for guessing that the rabbit dies.
BA_Harrison11 March 2017
The New Kids starts off in teen drama mode, with brother and sister Loren and Abby (Shannon Presby and Lori Loughlin) going to stay with their uncle and aunt in Florida after both of their parents are killed in a car crash. At their new school, the siblings run into trouble with a gang of redneck thugs led by drug dealing sociopath Dutra (James Spader at his most loathsome), but hold their own having been brought up to be tough as nails by their army colonel father (Tom Atkins). Pretty blonde Karen (Paige Lyn Price) and ginger nice guy Mark (Eric Stoltz) are suitably impressed.
Unfortunately for the kids, matters slowly escalate, until Dutra and his cronies eventually abduct Abby and hold her and her uncle captive at his ramshackle amusement park. At this point, director Sean S. Cunningham switches to full-on exploitation mode, delivering a satisfyingly violent final act in which Loren must use lethal force in order to rescue his sister. This part of the film makes great use of its fun-land setting, with Loren sending one gang member to his death from a ferris wheel, electrocuting another on the dodgems, and crushing one guy's head with a roller-coaster car. Spader gets his comeuppance by having his face set on fire with a flaming gas-pump hose.
6.5 out of 10, rounded up to 7 for the eye candy—lovely Lori Loughlin and pretty Paige Lyn Price—and for including a montage set to a cheesy '80s rock tune.
Unfortunately for the kids, matters slowly escalate, until Dutra and his cronies eventually abduct Abby and hold her and her uncle captive at his ramshackle amusement park. At this point, director Sean S. Cunningham switches to full-on exploitation mode, delivering a satisfyingly violent final act in which Loren must use lethal force in order to rescue his sister. This part of the film makes great use of its fun-land setting, with Loren sending one gang member to his death from a ferris wheel, electrocuting another on the dodgems, and crushing one guy's head with a roller-coaster car. Spader gets his comeuppance by having his face set on fire with a flaming gas-pump hose.
6.5 out of 10, rounded up to 7 for the eye candy—lovely Lori Loughlin and pretty Paige Lyn Price—and for including a montage set to a cheesy '80s rock tune.
Not fair to the chicken
Radiant_Rose25 November 2005
Warning: Spoilers
This is a fairly average film, with some suspense and some humour. Eric Stoltz, who is very talented, is not given enough to do. Lori Loughlin is very good. James Spader plays almost certainly the most evil character of his screen career. Also the blondest - he resembles the love child of Dennis Hopper and Marilyn Monroe. That is a simile, not a rumour!
I would have given this 5 points, but I am deducting 5 points for the execution of the chicken. There was nothing in the credits to imply that this scene was faked.
I am, however, replacing one and a half points because at least the film makes the link that people who are gratuitously cruel to animals are likely to harm other humans. I replace a further one and a half because the heroine fights back.
I would have given this 5 points, but I am deducting 5 points for the execution of the chicken. There was nothing in the credits to imply that this scene was faked.
I am, however, replacing one and a half points because at least the film makes the link that people who are gratuitously cruel to animals are likely to harm other humans. I replace a further one and a half because the heroine fights back.
Welcome
how about a bloody beating?
lost-in-limbo4 July 2009
Sean S. Cunningham (the man behind such films like 'Friday the 13th', 'A Stranger Is Watching ' and 'Deepstar Six') takes a stab at a routine (but gutsy) revenge/vigilante thriller set in the good ol' south of Florida with a group of feuding teenagers at the core. The plot is familiar in structure, but the bold dialogues and sweaty developments make it rather amusing.
Loren and Abby are brother and sister, who go to live with their uncle Charlie in a small town in Florida, after the death of their parents. Their home would be in a rundown carnival park, which their uncle has plans of restoring. Abby catches the eyes of the psychotic Eddie Dutra and his group of scummy thugs, but after constantly turning down their advancements. The bullying starts to rear an ugly head.
What transcends is sleazy, unsavory and completely nasty, but Cunningham (whose direction is energetically serviceable) pulls it off tremendously well delivering a complete (and versatile) package of humid drama and impulsive action. The tension is pot-boiling, as all these little encounters (with a very dangerous quality streaming through them) go on to spill over in one almighty, gang-busting climax of violent rage set in the amusement park. Even though how all of this eventuates takes some coming to grips with, but as furious exploitation found within this decade (like 'Class of 1984') it's hard to pass. Lalo Schifrin's textured score pumps along; infusing with the authentically rural atmosphere and the pacing throughout is reasonably zippy.
The cast is a strong one and well-suited across the board. The lovely Lori Loughlin and valiant Shannon Presby create supportable characters. While at the other end of the spectrum. James Spader is hard to forget with his slimy, reptilian presence and sudden jolts of violence. Eddie Jones adds a lively colour to his role as Uncle Charlie. In small roles are Eric Stoltz and Tom Aktins.
Loren and Abby are brother and sister, who go to live with their uncle Charlie in a small town in Florida, after the death of their parents. Their home would be in a rundown carnival park, which their uncle has plans of restoring. Abby catches the eyes of the psychotic Eddie Dutra and his group of scummy thugs, but after constantly turning down their advancements. The bullying starts to rear an ugly head.
What transcends is sleazy, unsavory and completely nasty, but Cunningham (whose direction is energetically serviceable) pulls it off tremendously well delivering a complete (and versatile) package of humid drama and impulsive action. The tension is pot-boiling, as all these little encounters (with a very dangerous quality streaming through them) go on to spill over in one almighty, gang-busting climax of violent rage set in the amusement park. Even though how all of this eventuates takes some coming to grips with, but as furious exploitation found within this decade (like 'Class of 1984') it's hard to pass. Lalo Schifrin's textured score pumps along; infusing with the authentically rural atmosphere and the pacing throughout is reasonably zippy.
The cast is a strong one and well-suited across the board. The lovely Lori Loughlin and valiant Shannon Presby create supportable characters. While at the other end of the spectrum. James Spader is hard to forget with his slimy, reptilian presence and sudden jolts of violence. Eddie Jones adds a lively colour to his role as Uncle Charlie. In small roles are Eric Stoltz and Tom Aktins.
Cunningham's Best
Flixer195711 October 2004
Warning: Spoilers
**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.
Low budget revenge flick. Not much to recommend.
TOMASBBloodhound9 June 2012
After making this film and Tuff Turf in 1985, its a wonder James Spader ever had a long career in the business. Somewhere out there, there is a guy named "Shannon Presby" who can tell his family and friends that he was top-billed over Spader in a movie. I guess there are worse things to be remembered for. The New Kids is the story of a couple of army brats who have to move in with relatives in rural Florida after their parents are killed in the first couple minutes of the film. Its too bad it happens so quick, because the always reliable Tom Atkins plays the father. His role is so brief, you wonder if he even got time to sample the catering. Anyway, the two kids quickly draw the ire of a local redneck gang of teenagers after the pretty girl rebuffs their advances. The bulk of the film is just the rednecks vandalizing the amusement park run by the kids' uncle, and the kids overcoming the odds to fight back. Overall, its unspectacular.
The film is directed by Sean S. Cunningham who never achieved the level of success he got with the original Friday the 13th ever again. Spader is a hoot as the local gang leader. His hair is bleached almost white, and he struggles dearly with a southern accent. Lori Laughlin is pretty, and gives a decent performance as the new girl. Shannon Presby as her brother is in good physical shape, but he has no screen presence at all. Its no wonder he never did much else. Eddie Jones as their uncle is quite colorful, and does a fine job as the proprietor of this tiny amusement park/gas station in the middle of the Florida wilderness. The amusement park is used as the location for the final showdown between the gang and the new kids, but it just isn't utilized all that well. It seems the deaths scenes are not graphic enough, or just not blocked very well. The film also loses points for multiple scenes of animal cruelty. Overall this is just a curiosity piece. Its a brainless exploitation vehicle, and its a wonder that Spader ever got serious work again. 4 of 10 stars.
The Hound.
The film is directed by Sean S. Cunningham who never achieved the level of success he got with the original Friday the 13th ever again. Spader is a hoot as the local gang leader. His hair is bleached almost white, and he struggles dearly with a southern accent. Lori Laughlin is pretty, and gives a decent performance as the new girl. Shannon Presby as her brother is in good physical shape, but he has no screen presence at all. Its no wonder he never did much else. Eddie Jones as their uncle is quite colorful, and does a fine job as the proprietor of this tiny amusement park/gas station in the middle of the Florida wilderness. The amusement park is used as the location for the final showdown between the gang and the new kids, but it just isn't utilized all that well. It seems the deaths scenes are not graphic enough, or just not blocked very well. The film also loses points for multiple scenes of animal cruelty. Overall this is just a curiosity piece. Its a brainless exploitation vehicle, and its a wonder that Spader ever got serious work again. 4 of 10 stars.
The Hound.
Cunningham nails it!
fertilecelluloid2 January 2004
THE NEW KIDS is top-of-the-line moviemaking with a gleefully sleazy gloss.
Cunningham, director of the first FRIDAY THE 13TH and the godawful DEEP STAR SIX, really does himself proud in this Southern-set rape/revenge thriller.
Two kids, whose parents have died, start a new life at their uncle and aunt's luridly low rent carnival.
Lori Laughlin, who plays one of the kids, becomes the target of sociopathic Dutra (James Spader in his best perf ever) and his gang of disgusting miscreants because she's so damn delicious looking. Essentially, the boys want her booty and will break any law to get it.
The film succeeds so well because it embraces its exploitation elements (sex, drugs, violence, teen lust, guns, vicious dogs) with such relish and delivers on its promise unpretentiously but stylishly. It is extremely well directed and acted and moves at a peppy clip.
You really do care about the characters and the film's Lalo Schifrin score nails the drama like a whore to a floorboard,
The carnival setting is a doozy and a triumph of production design; and the film's final scene has a black, perverse feel to it that had me nodding with approval.
A classic, and I'm not going to follow that with "of it's genre" because I'm tired of reviewers singling out films like this as less noteworthy because they're nasty.
Nope, a classic piece of cinema in anybody's book and titled STRIKING BACK in some markets.
Cunningham, director of the first FRIDAY THE 13TH and the godawful DEEP STAR SIX, really does himself proud in this Southern-set rape/revenge thriller.
Two kids, whose parents have died, start a new life at their uncle and aunt's luridly low rent carnival.
Lori Laughlin, who plays one of the kids, becomes the target of sociopathic Dutra (James Spader in his best perf ever) and his gang of disgusting miscreants because she's so damn delicious looking. Essentially, the boys want her booty and will break any law to get it.
The film succeeds so well because it embraces its exploitation elements (sex, drugs, violence, teen lust, guns, vicious dogs) with such relish and delivers on its promise unpretentiously but stylishly. It is extremely well directed and acted and moves at a peppy clip.
You really do care about the characters and the film's Lalo Schifrin score nails the drama like a whore to a floorboard,
The carnival setting is a doozy and a triumph of production design; and the film's final scene has a black, perverse feel to it that had me nodding with approval.
A classic, and I'm not going to follow that with "of it's genre" because I'm tired of reviewers singling out films like this as less noteworthy because they're nasty.
Nope, a classic piece of cinema in anybody's book and titled STRIKING BACK in some markets.
Nice visit to the 80s
greynomad-278403 March 2024
Two military brats move to Florida to live with their uncle following their parents' deaths. A local gang of bullies torments them. Guess the gang didn't figure daddy trained his kids well.
Not a great film for sure but I enjoyed journeying back to the 80s and immersing myself in the experience only those films can generate. Spader was in one of my favorite films of the period, Tuff Turf, in which he is the new kid harassed by bullies. This would've made for a great double feature back then. If you enjoy 80s films, this might be worth a watch. If not, then you probably wanna move along.
Trivia:
Presby left acting to become a philosophy teacher. Then he studied law and became deputy district attorney in LA.
One of the few films in which Tom Atkins doesn't get to bang the hot chick.
Lori Loughlin became a criminal.
I wonder what happened to Spader...?
Tuff Turf also features an early appearance of Robert Downey Jr.
Although Cunningham directed the awesome Friday the 13th (original), the bulk of his other films are rated horribly.
Not a great film for sure but I enjoyed journeying back to the 80s and immersing myself in the experience only those films can generate. Spader was in one of my favorite films of the period, Tuff Turf, in which he is the new kid harassed by bullies. This would've made for a great double feature back then. If you enjoy 80s films, this might be worth a watch. If not, then you probably wanna move along.
Trivia:
Presby left acting to become a philosophy teacher. Then he studied law and became deputy district attorney in LA.
One of the few films in which Tom Atkins doesn't get to bang the hot chick.
Lori Loughlin became a criminal.
I wonder what happened to Spader...?
Tuff Turf also features an early appearance of Robert Downey Jr.
Although Cunningham directed the awesome Friday the 13th (original), the bulk of his other films are rated horribly.
Goes from zero to insane!
jellopuke15 August 2018
Totally caught off guard by how good this was. Sure it gleefully jumps the shark from normal to insane violence, but it's just a rock solid little genre picture that is undeservedly forgotten. Cunningham did more than Friday the 13th. Check this out!
Lori Loughlin in a movie
BlueSkies76516 October 2019
90s kids all know Lori Loughlin from Full House but I haven't seen a movie with her in it. It was nice to see her star in a movie.
The movie effectively sets up an atmosphere of despair. During most of the movie the terrorizing feels pretty realistic as does the impotence of the police and the people who have to deal with it. The acting was good as there was a genuine sense of innocence with the main characters and you loathed the bad guys.
A fun ride.
The movie effectively sets up an atmosphere of despair. During most of the movie the terrorizing feels pretty realistic as does the impotence of the police and the people who have to deal with it. The acting was good as there was a genuine sense of innocence with the main characters and you loathed the bad guys.
A fun ride.
Typical of its era
Leofwine_draca20 July 2023
THE NEW KIDS is a typical thriller of its era, marketed as a horror film when it really isn't. The film this is most similar to is CLASS OF 1984 although it's nowhere near the same quality as that violent masterpiece. Instead, FRIDAY THE 13TH director Sean Cunningham delivers a film that goes through the motions without delivering any big thrills or surprises. The story involves a brother and sister moving to a redneck town in Florida, where they find themselves menaced by a gang of morons led by a suitably imposing James Spader. Things take a while to kick off, but there are sporadic bursts of violence before a more widescale action climax. Eric Stoltz and Tom Atkins have minor roles. There's nothing remarkable about this film, but as a passable time-waster, it'll do.
I'm in the minority here
vmalast22 October 2018
Warning: Spoilers
I hit FF a few times. The acting was wooden or overly exaggerated (I know, the 80's). a career military family makes no provisions in the event that both parents die? The kids are under 18 and they don't receive any substantial death benefits? The siblings are happy to be living in a barn? The list of improbable scenarios goes on and on. One can only suspend belief so far before it becomes ludicrous. The cheesy "Flowers in the Attic" was more believable. Skip this film.
A brother & sister face the challenges of a new life and school south of Miami
Wuchakk12 February 2024
After a tragedy, military siblings (Shannon Presby and Lori Loughlin) are forced to stay with their eccentric uncle & aunt in southern Florida, where they offend the local toughs at their school. Eric Stoltz plays a guy who's interested in the sister while James Spader is on hand as the lead antagonist.
"The New Kids" (1985) is cut from the same cloth as "The Karate Kid" from the year prior, just without the sports angle. It has similarities to "Tuff Turf," which was released one week earlier and also features Spader, albeit as the protagonist. This one lacks the musical and comedic elements of "Turf" and is comparable to "Dangerously Close," which came out the next year. Stoltz would go on to star in "Some Kind of Wonderful" a couple of years later.
Loughlin is smart and winsome, but it's blonde Paige Price who stands out on the feminine front as Karen.
If you like any of the 80's teen movies mentioned and their contemporaries, "The New Kids" is worth checking out, although it's not great like "The Karate Kid," not to mention "Dangerously Close" and "Some Kind of Wonderful" are superior. One issue is that it's overlong by about 15-20 minutes. Speaking of which...
The film runs 1 hour, 50 minutes, and was shot in Miami-Dade County, Florida, including Homestead and Perrine, which are in extreme southeastern Florida.
GRADE: B-
"The New Kids" (1985) is cut from the same cloth as "The Karate Kid" from the year prior, just without the sports angle. It has similarities to "Tuff Turf," which was released one week earlier and also features Spader, albeit as the protagonist. This one lacks the musical and comedic elements of "Turf" and is comparable to "Dangerously Close," which came out the next year. Stoltz would go on to star in "Some Kind of Wonderful" a couple of years later.
Loughlin is smart and winsome, but it's blonde Paige Price who stands out on the feminine front as Karen.
If you like any of the 80's teen movies mentioned and their contemporaries, "The New Kids" is worth checking out, although it's not great like "The Karate Kid," not to mention "Dangerously Close" and "Some Kind of Wonderful" are superior. One issue is that it's overlong by about 15-20 minutes. Speaking of which...
The film runs 1 hour, 50 minutes, and was shot in Miami-Dade County, Florida, including Homestead and Perrine, which are in extreme southeastern Florida.
GRADE: B-
Spader!!!
BandSAboutMovies12 December 2018
Warning: Spoilers
Have you ever said to yourself, "I'd like to watch a super young James Spader with weird looking bleach blonde hair menace a super young looking Lori Loughlin to the point that I worry for her safety?" If so, you're a maniac. But hey, you're on our site, so we have to be nice and tell you that this movie exists. It's Sean Cunningham's (Friday the 13th) 1985 opus, The New Kids.
No offense to our friends from Horror and Sons, but Florida is the most frightening state in the nation. Just ask Abby (Loughlin) and Loren McWilliams (Shannon Presby, who quit acting after this movie). Their parents (Tom Atkins is their military hero dad!) have been killed in an accident and they've moved to Glenby, a small town that seems way more hell (and not happiest place) on Earth. Their uncle Charlie and Fay take them in, getting them to help them operate a gas station and amusement park, which is based on Santa Claus. If you're willing to accept this entire paragraph and still say, "I'd watch that movie," congratulations. You're as goofy as me.
The kids do pretty well in their new life, with Loren instantly hitting it off with Karen, the vivacious daughter of the local sheriff. And Abby starts seeing Mark, who is played by Eric Stoltz, who also made Mask and lasted five weeks as Marty McFly in Back to the Future the same year this movie was made.
What gives us the dramatic reason for watching this movie? Eddie Dutra (Spader) and his gang suddenly intrude and remind us that Flordia may be the home of Disney, but it's also the nexus for American death metal. These boys just randomly do coke and make bets as to who will have nonconsensual sex with Abby first.
Dutra and his gang gradually grow more and more vicious, keying cars and even throwing Abby's beloved pet rabbit's bloody corpse at her while she attempts to take a shower. Finally, there's a showdown at the amusement park that the kids call home, with Dutra covering Abby in lighter fluid and throwing lot matches at her (!) while his gang holds her down and fights over who gets to molest her.
It all ends with the bad guys attacked by dogs, thrown from the Ferris wheel, electrocuted and beheaded by bumper cars, and finally, Dutra lit ablaze by a gas pump that he has turned into a flamethrower. No, I don't think that gas pumps work that way, either.
Becca woke up and came downstairs to watch some of my late night viewing of The New Kids and said, "This is one of those movies where they just show you stuff that happens to people and it's all horrible. In fact, this movie is horrible. Who would even like this kind of movie?" That's probably the best summation I can think of, but I also loved James Spader in this and it confirms my theory: no one can be that good at being a lunatic without being a lunatic. There's some dark stuff in Spader's closet, right?
No offense to our friends from Horror and Sons, but Florida is the most frightening state in the nation. Just ask Abby (Loughlin) and Loren McWilliams (Shannon Presby, who quit acting after this movie). Their parents (Tom Atkins is their military hero dad!) have been killed in an accident and they've moved to Glenby, a small town that seems way more hell (and not happiest place) on Earth. Their uncle Charlie and Fay take them in, getting them to help them operate a gas station and amusement park, which is based on Santa Claus. If you're willing to accept this entire paragraph and still say, "I'd watch that movie," congratulations. You're as goofy as me.
The kids do pretty well in their new life, with Loren instantly hitting it off with Karen, the vivacious daughter of the local sheriff. And Abby starts seeing Mark, who is played by Eric Stoltz, who also made Mask and lasted five weeks as Marty McFly in Back to the Future the same year this movie was made.
What gives us the dramatic reason for watching this movie? Eddie Dutra (Spader) and his gang suddenly intrude and remind us that Flordia may be the home of Disney, but it's also the nexus for American death metal. These boys just randomly do coke and make bets as to who will have nonconsensual sex with Abby first.
Dutra and his gang gradually grow more and more vicious, keying cars and even throwing Abby's beloved pet rabbit's bloody corpse at her while she attempts to take a shower. Finally, there's a showdown at the amusement park that the kids call home, with Dutra covering Abby in lighter fluid and throwing lot matches at her (!) while his gang holds her down and fights over who gets to molest her.
It all ends with the bad guys attacked by dogs, thrown from the Ferris wheel, electrocuted and beheaded by bumper cars, and finally, Dutra lit ablaze by a gas pump that he has turned into a flamethrower. No, I don't think that gas pumps work that way, either.
Becca woke up and came downstairs to watch some of my late night viewing of The New Kids and said, "This is one of those movies where they just show you stuff that happens to people and it's all horrible. In fact, this movie is horrible. Who would even like this kind of movie?" That's probably the best summation I can think of, but I also loved James Spader in this and it confirms my theory: no one can be that good at being a lunatic without being a lunatic. There's some dark stuff in Spader's closet, right?
"My name's Gideon Walters...my friends call me Gid!"
Cobbler22 July 2002
Don't let people sway you, folks. This movie is outstanding! It features some disreputable Southern stereotypes and death by roller coaster and lighter fluid, not to mention the brilliant actor John Philbin in a typically memorable performance as "Gid". The production values are strong (including music by the great Lalo Schifrin) and the script is fast-paced and doesn't waste time with nuance or subtlety. There are pit bulls, lazy sheriffs, authentic Florida tourist trap backwoods locations, a pre-"Mask" Eric Stoltz, and impressive mid-1980s fashions. What more can you ask for? A solid 7/10.
Bland thriller with a few interesting actors
SnoopyStyle2 September 2014
Military brats Abby McWilliams (Lori Loughlin) and her brother Loren (Shannon Presby) have to move in with their aunt and uncle after their hero dad is killed with their mom in a car crash. Their relatives are reopening a rundown amusement park in Glenby, Florida. Abby gets hounded by the crude Gideon Walters. There is nice guy Mark (Eric Stoltz). Then local thug leader platinum blonde Eddie Dutra (James Spader) comes sniffing around. Soon it escalates with Dutra, Walters and the rest of the gang vandalizing the park and terrorizing the siblings. The group is a bunch of dogfighting rednecks dealing with drugs.
Shannon Presby doesn't have the star power to lead as he's overpowered by Lori Loughlin. James Spader is pretty good as the bad guy although his blonde hair is so crazy. He's playing a different thug than the rest of the group. Eric Stoltz doesn't have much screen time. The story is really basic. I think if it's just Abby, the movie would be more powerful. She would be a girl alone against the thugs. In general, this is a bland movie with the exception of the final battle that includes a fight over a flaming gas nozzle.
Shannon Presby doesn't have the star power to lead as he's overpowered by Lori Loughlin. James Spader is pretty good as the bad guy although his blonde hair is so crazy. He's playing a different thug than the rest of the group. Eric Stoltz doesn't have much screen time. The story is really basic. I think if it's just Abby, the movie would be more powerful. She would be a girl alone against the thugs. In general, this is a bland movie with the exception of the final battle that includes a fight over a flaming gas nozzle.
It got the jug-ler
toddrandall686 October 2005
Stupid stupid stupid movie. I remember seeing this, but I remember it being really old in the mid-80s. I guess that is how easy it is to forget meaningless dumbass movies like this. Lori Laughlin is hot though. I do remember that line though, by John Philbin, ""it got the jug-ler" after those pit bulls attacked one of the owners. How stupid he looked saying jugular like a redneck white trash. It puts a bad taste in my mouth thinking how horrible this stupid movie was. The censors say that I have to have 10 lines of text in order to submit my comment. Ten lines on this trash movie? Give me a break, this movie isn't even worth ten turds. 0 out of 10 stars.
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