Review of Basket Case (1982) by Rob C — 12 Nov 2011

Ah, the eighties. It sure knew how to bring out the low budget in cinema wholeheartedly. Basket Case is no exception. Everything about the film screamed rudimentary, but it worked so well that it was a welcomed treat.

After a mysterious death by an unknown assailant with a deformed hand, we're whisked away to seedy New York City where an enthusiastic drug dealer pushes his many products onto a young man carrying a wicker basket.

We're soon introduced to this man as young Duane Bradley (Kevin Van Hentenryck) who picks the most rundown hotel in the city to rent a room from. Here our story begins and we soon find out Duane is one half of a Siamese twin, the other consisting of deformed Belial, who were separated by three random doctors hired by their own father.

However, deformed Belial will not stand for this and wants some rather "splitting" revenge. I still can't understand how he had sex with that woman, I mean, he was a torso. Right? Or half of one anyway.

Before this film is through, you will pretty much get the entire story, so at the end you won't be wondering, "But, why?". We have gore shots galore, with blood and annoying screams aplenty, even a little nudity (if that's your thing).

Nothing is left out here, except perhaps a good soundtrack. Might I recommend a little Plasmatics? Come on, this was their year.