Review of Electric Boogaloo: The Wild, Untold Story of Cannon Films (2014) by Anthony K — 03 Dec 2015

At first glance this slam bang doc is wildly entertaining, ludicrous and disposable.

As the copious film clips from the infamous exploitation factory it's chronicling. But, on closer examination, director Mark Hartley has provided a valuable and engrossing primer on on how a rinky dnk grindhouse label grew beyond it's scope and capability, based on the reckless ambition, ruthless greed and utter shamelessness of it's combative creative and business partners Golan and Globus. The parade of critics, rivals and former employees who sing the praises of, but more often condemn the trashy content and sketchy, borderline dangerous corporate practices that lead Cannon to disaster. Going down in flames has rarely seemed this much fun however, thanks to the gonzo silliness of such profopundly wacky and exciting productions ranging from "Breakin", to.

"American Ninja 3: The Domination", and Tobe Hooper's epic, naked alien space ghoul invasion extravaganza "Lifeforce". A must see for the video store generation that recalls the outrageous days of '80s indie excess, and anyone interested in the ugly underbelly far beneath the tinseltown glitter.