Director: Scott Mansfield
Notable Cast: Alexandra Morgan, Jo Ann Harris, Sam Groom,
Saul Sindell, Steve Railsback, Denise Galik, Dick Butkus
If you’re a horror fan of a certain age, then growing up
with slashers and having an affinity for them is part of the nostalgia and
heritage. They were all the rage and became the formula for what the social
conscious associated with the term horror. Although I would not care to place
myself within the confines of being a slasher diehard, I, too, have an affinity
for the genre that piques my interest when I hear about lost films from the
golden era (i.e. 1980s.)
However, the die-hards of the genre will certainly claim
that a slew of films from that timeline are cult classics when they are often
baffling, watered-down representations of all the great things that slashers
could be even within the boundaries of its genre. For every true slasher gem,
whether it is the surprisingly competent and effective tones of The
Mutilator or the hilariously tongue-in-cheek Blood Rage, there are
ones that simply do not come close to living up to the standards of the genre -
even with nostalgia goggles firmly in place.
Deadly Games, despite its glorious cover artwork
absolutely meant to guarantee rentals in the ma n’ pop video shops of the
1980s, is one of those films. For every moment where it finds traction in a fun
idea or shockingly sober pop of artistry, there are a dozen perplexing choices
being made throughout the film. It’s bewildering how Deadly Games
manages to misfire at almost every corner from its concept, script, performances,
or style.
Deadly Games, at its core, is mishandled in concept.
It feels like a made-for-TV relationship drama that just happens to trip into
being a slasher from time to time. This is perhaps its biggest obstacle to
overcome. While it starts off with a slasher sequence, featuring the most
random intentional nudity I’ve seen in quite some time, the film quickly
devolves into a bland relationship drama, effectively destroying any pacing
with its plot or narrative.
Not that combining slasher elements with character dynamics
and relationship values can’t be effective, but it’s definitely not effective
in Deadly Games. The romantic character plots are forced and often
generic. It’s hard to care about any of the characters in their mundane interactions
with slightly questionable morals. While there are interesting ideas at play -
including the friendship between the police detective and the town outcast - so
much of it never adds anything to the intrigue or slasher plot of a masked
killer knocking off the young women of the town.
Yet, this film is a slasher, so I kept waiting for the kills
to save me. When those kill sequences do come up, they are, unfortunately, also
relatively bland. Conceptually, it would seem like Deadly Games is meant
to be a more realistic and grounded slasher, but it’s lacking depth of
performance or tension in the direction, it never finds its balance. There are
moments where the film may have succeeded in finding the entertainment of its
idea with its stylistic choice - including a pool death or in its use of a
theater to invoke some theatrics, but none of it sticks. The kills are as
boring as the characters talking about their own small town bullshit.
It’s only in the third act that Deadly Games
seemingly starts to find its pace and tone. By then, it’s far too late to
salvage anything. There are moments once the reveal of the killer is made (it’s
exactly who you think it is) that might have led to a far superior film, but
they almost feel like they happen accidentally. It’s odd and ineffective. To
add salt into the wound, the final moment of the film is so perplexing that it
leaves a horrifically sour taste with its viewer. Just wait for it. It’s unintentionally
hilarious.
It’s always notable to never judge a film by its cover or
poster. Deadly Games is a testament to that lesson. The film is bland,
filled with generic characters played with little gusto by its cast, and it
never pops with any of the slasher elements that the genre often leans into -
including a series of utterly forgettable kill sequences. As if it wanted to go
even further to avoid being fun, the teases of a horror board game with its
title and opening sequence are never utilized in any way. What could have been
a strong idea and fun gimmick is a tease that never comes to fruition.
Maybe this is a film that will find its cult following with
some time and reassessment, but it’s hard to call it a lost gem of the genre. Deadly
Games is not a game worth playing, so feel free to pass on rolling the dice
for this one.
No comments:
Post a Comment