BLOOD FRENZY (1987)
Directed by Hal Freeman
Hollywood Family Entertainment VHS
Reviewed 04.27.05
Review by Joseph A. Ziemba

THE FILM
Do you like The Dream Team with Michael Keaton? Fond of Wes Craven’s The Hills Have Eyes? Yeah? Then you’re in luck. Blood Frenzy is a mishmash of both, all tied up with some sleazy gore and actors that are in way over their heads. Now all we need are some tricked out Reebok hi-tops...OK, got ‘em.

In a pre-credit prologue, a little kid rakes at his abusive father’s throat with a lawn utensil: grisly! He picks up a jack-in-the-box, twirls the knob, and voila, we’re underway. Six emotionally unstable patients (slut, prude, lez, ‘Nam vet, chauvinist, and drunk, respectively) join their doctor out in the desert for some “confrontational therapy.” It’s a getaway weekend, but they’re all business, get it? After much yelling, profanity (names like “pussy bumper” and “dick smoker” give Serial Mom a run for its money), and cut-away sex, a mysterious killer begins slashing throats in a most explicit fashion. The drunk guy dies and “meeps” like Shemp from the Three Stooges. The 60 year old macho jerk engages in a quickie with the nympho for five whole seconds. The characters sometimes call each other by the wrong names. The more dramatic the thesps got, the more I was forced to laugh uncontrollably. The climax was full of torture and gruesomeness, but guess what? Hair was still huge and acting was still awesome (bad). Laughs were my only option.

Since this is the sole non-porn outing from director Hal Freeman, I’m willing to cut some slack. For a semi-slasher, the derivative plot turns somewhat fresh, thanks to writer Ted Newsom (Ed Wood: Look Back In Angora!) and the struggling cast, who keep things lively. The editing is hilariously bad, with awkward dialogue cuts and “late reaction” shots galore. After the initial bad film burst, the pace drags as our remaining victims split up and search the sandy dunes for the killer. Yawn. Luckily, those sequences don’t last long and we ALWAYS have plenty to marvel at in the form of righteous fashions and ridiculous dialogue (“You have to share your feelings.”). Did I mention that Lisa Loring, who played “Wednesday” on The Adams Family attempted a comeback with this film? You can’t ask for much more than that.

AUDIO AND VIDEO
Although this rental tape was scraggy, looking similar to a dupe, the print was in nice shape. The colors were bright and the picture was clear. The mono sound followed suit.

EXTRAS
Hollywood Family Entertainment. The wholesome name and logo intro (rainbows, horn blasts) don’t seem to fit in with a film about deep rooted emotional problems and over the top gore. Weirdos.

FINAL THOUGHTS
Blood Frenzy will satisfy those seeking obscure 80s laughs and trashy thrills; stupid and grisly, but not half bad. Things were stuck on repeat for a bit, but that’s life. Worth looking into if you should chance by a copy.

It sure ain't Thursday


Inch, inch


Soooo sexy


Pop!