I had never heard of this film and as a huge horror buff and even more of an 80's horror buff, I was instantly intrigued. The fact that this introduced A Christmas Story's "Ralphie" was kind of neat and the story sounded like a good old fashion slasher flick. Well I wouldn't even classify this as a slasher flick although a few times it does certainly try. I would say the story is much more of a thriller and even that is pushing it simply because the pacing of the movie is very slow. They could have really edited this down as it spends a whole lot of time establishing the main youngster. Its sort of like you're watching home videos of his entire vacation and then at the tail end a killer shows up. As expected from a low budget 80's horror movie the kills are a little cheesy and the blood is so light red that it looks like strawberry ice cream syrup. (This isn't a complaint because this is just true 80's, just an observation.) There is also a completely unnecessary and forced scene of topless-ness that made me laugh out loud because it was so blatantly pushed into the scene. Again, this isn't a complaint just an observation of a classic low budget 80's move.
As I mentioned Peter Billingsley makes his big screen debut as Billy. He is really the quintessential youngster. He looks adorable, he loves cowboys and guns and he is a good actor! He is believable and fun and you really root for him partially because of his performance and partially because they spend so much time focusing on developing his character. Catherine Hicks is the perfect 80's horror movie Mom. She reminded me a lot of Andy's Mom in Child's Play and that's a compliment. She is perfect in her role and helps support Billingsley's performance. Paul Le Mat is the new man in Hicks' life that Billy has to warm up to. He does a good job and plays his role well. He and Hicks have very good chemistry and...attempting to not give anything away...I was relieved at how they ended the film. Somehow you become attached to his character as Billingsley's character becomes attached to him. Veteran actor Wilford Brimley's name is all over this film but he has barely more than a cameo in the film as the old Sheriff. He is basically a B character to be fodder for our killer. Jack O'Leary is our crazed killer and he's good but very cheesy and campy. He overplays his scenes and the final scene when he battles with Le Mat is so hokey that you'll be howling with laughter. It is so choreographed and just really overplayed.
Director Dick Richards does an adequate job as director. However, he should have took a harder look at editing the film. The pacing is far too slow and the killer is far too hokey. On top of that, the story is about as deep as a hillside. There is no rhyme or reason to the killer's spree and the thinnest of reason behind him stalking little Billy. The entire concept of the killer coming after him because he found his necklace in an RV is ludicrous. All the shortcomings of the film are overcome by a solid lead in Billingsley, and the fact that this was a low budget 80s thriller and that automatically allows for some wiggle room in the camp department. Horror fans will enjoy it, but it is certain to not blow anyone away. 7/10
As I mentioned Peter Billingsley makes his big screen debut as Billy. He is really the quintessential youngster. He looks adorable, he loves cowboys and guns and he is a good actor! He is believable and fun and you really root for him partially because of his performance and partially because they spend so much time focusing on developing his character. Catherine Hicks is the perfect 80's horror movie Mom. She reminded me a lot of Andy's Mom in Child's Play and that's a compliment. She is perfect in her role and helps support Billingsley's performance. Paul Le Mat is the new man in Hicks' life that Billy has to warm up to. He does a good job and plays his role well. He and Hicks have very good chemistry and...attempting to not give anything away...I was relieved at how they ended the film. Somehow you become attached to his character as Billingsley's character becomes attached to him. Veteran actor Wilford Brimley's name is all over this film but he has barely more than a cameo in the film as the old Sheriff. He is basically a B character to be fodder for our killer. Jack O'Leary is our crazed killer and he's good but very cheesy and campy. He overplays his scenes and the final scene when he battles with Le Mat is so hokey that you'll be howling with laughter. It is so choreographed and just really overplayed.
Director Dick Richards does an adequate job as director. However, he should have took a harder look at editing the film. The pacing is far too slow and the killer is far too hokey. On top of that, the story is about as deep as a hillside. There is no rhyme or reason to the killer's spree and the thinnest of reason behind him stalking little Billy. The entire concept of the killer coming after him because he found his necklace in an RV is ludicrous. All the shortcomings of the film are overcome by a solid lead in Billingsley, and the fact that this was a low budget 80s thriller and that automatically allows for some wiggle room in the camp department. Horror fans will enjoy it, but it is certain to not blow anyone away. 7/10