The New Kids (1985)

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!

I am only reviewing this 1985 film because my son (who is now 44) saw it in 1987 when it was on Beta. Yes, Beta! He was only sixteen but liked it because the female lead 'had a cute ass.' Can one imagine what a sixteen year old would think of that film today?I saw this 'film' on 'Chiller' where they even cut foul language, like the 'F' word. In fact, they even cut 'shit,' which is often used on cable news today. That's because this network appeals to ten year old's who aren't supposed to know what 'shit' means. God forbid, if a ten year old heard the 'F' word. Of course, in today's society, a more lewd word would be the 'N' word, which kids can't touch unless they want to forfeit their Ivy League education. As far as the film itself is concerned, it ranks right down there with Kevin Spacey trying to imitate Bobby Darin in 'Beyond The Sea.' Just an old man trying to act out and calling it a homage to Darin, who was younger (37) when he died than Spacey was when he tried to play Bobby in his prime (if you think Spacey sounds like Darin, you don't know anything abut musical technology. I can have a studio make me sound like Neil Diamond). It's like Gary Busey trying to portray Buddy Holly. There are three wasted films, in a nutshell.

I had first seen the new kids back when it was released although not a horror film,it is more like death wish,Sean Cunningham who did the original Friday the 13th back in 1980,really did a great job with producing this thriller about two teens who go to live with their aunt and uncle down in Florida.at a low rent theme park called Santa's fun land.well the move is not a pleasant one,the teens Lori and Shannon run into a unpleasant gang of teens led by creepy dutra played by the very talented James Spader following his break through performance in 1985's tuff turf.great performances by all.i thought the new kids was a very thrilling b-movie with a great cast.Eric stoltz is also on hand as a friendly teen who is there to help.well the new kids is a great 80's b movie that you will not forget.Spader deserved an award for this creepy performance.10 out of 10

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.