Slaughter High

2 Ratings: 3.0

1986 horror/slasher movie

Slaughter High is a 1986 slasher film written and directed by George Dugdale, Mark Ezra, and Peter Litten. Simon Scuddamore, who plays the film's slasher, committed suicide shortly after the film's release. In recent years the film has become something … see full wiki

Tags: Movies, Comedy Movies, Horror, Horror Movies, Dark Comedy, 80s, see all

Genre: Horror

Release Date: November 14, 1986

1 review about Slaughter High

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They say the quiet ones are the deadliest. Don't forget those geeky looking geeks!

Oct 8, 2011

by Madpenguin
posted in Movie Hype

Rating:

Marty Rantzen (Simon Scuddamore) is a student in Doddsville County High School, and he's very popular amongst other students, but for all the wrong reasons. He finds himself on the receiving end of a prank which physically destroys him. Fast forward a few years, the students responsible are sent invitations to attend their high school reunion. Who sent them? Why were they the only ones to receive them? And what ever happened to Marty Rantzen?-summary

I remember when I first saw this around 17 years ago and figured out the twist almost immediately. Even for that time, it was rare to find a slasher film of any type that played connect the dots with a straight line. Slaughter High which is directed by George Dugdale, Mark Ezra, and Peter Litten, with music by Harry Manfredini, is definitely not a movie to be taken seriously. It was meant as low brow and cheesy entertainment for the die hard horror comedy fan, and in that, the film partially succeeds. I don't think it's anywhere near as horrible as some say; although not a fan of horror comedy in the least bit. It gave me a few chuckles here and there, because the directors knew what they had to work with, and they took advantage of it.

The movie isn't the least bit subtle with who the killer is and it takes advantage of this in funny ways. The pacing is alright at best and it takes a while before the kills begin. The gore effects have good moments, and there's a couple of nasty scenes that could please most gore hounds, but some deaths are rather cheap.

The movie appears to be bad on purpose with the cast doing unrealistic things which is fitting for most brainless horror movies. But when was the last time you seen a horror flick where there was a point behind the characters being completely stupid? For this reason, I can forgive many of the movies faults concerning the characters, and the plot holes are non existent because of the twist. I find it surprising that most cinephiles, those who pride themselves on being film geniuses actually miss that.

Even the bad acting justifies its own existence somewhat, because the film is goofy almost immediately. I mean come on; who can take that music score serious? I liked the characterization of Marty, because he has that look of the geek you just have to pick on. My biggest problems with the film is the predictability, and although it's effective and even necessary in some way; the twist that takes place, well, I understand it cleared up the inconsistencies and complete lack of logic in the plot. But it pretty much ruined things for me, because it was also a double edged sword. The writing in this area wasn't quite my taste. I guess it all comes down to what the viewer is looking for in the end.

Slaughter High is a movie that will be more valuable to the horror comedy fan. I prefer my horror to be more pure and serious in nature with an elaborate plot if possible, but I can mellow down to something stupid once in awhile. For those fans who must have serious horror at all times; they're definitely better off skipping this, because there is absolutely nothing here for you in any way, shape, or form.

Pros:
-Some decent kills, reason for stupid characters and plot holes

Cons:
-Way too predictable

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