Review of Maniac Cop (1988) by Foreverfinalgir — 20 Dec 2021

I’ve got 4 words why I’m excited for this movie: Bruce Campbell Tom Atkins. Need I say more? Just kidding. There’s more to this movie than those two. Maniac Cop isn’t the greatest movie but it is a fun ride nonetheless.

PLOT.

Look at the size of those hematomas!–Frank.

A killer dressed as a police officer is killing innocent people in the streets of New York City. One cop is accused of the crimes, his lover and another cop is trying to prove his innocence.

MY THOUGHTS.

Whole city’s goin’ to hell. You can’t take a pee anywhere anymore.–Frank.

We get a lot of kills, some on screen, some not. We do see some blood. But not a lot of gore. I thought this would be the typical slasher movie but it isn’t. It’s a little more with the acting and the plot. We get a gritty New York City where the people are now suspicious of the cops when Cordell starts killing people. The acting was pretty good. I mean Tom Atkins. Do I need to say more? He knows more than the other cops. His death 2/3rds of the way through the movie really surprised me.

Before I could get too disappointed, that’s when Bruce Campbell started picking up the pace. With Campbell we get a different kind of role than what we are used to. We normally think of the sarcastic and over the type, Evil Dead style, acting. He’s more serious and dare I say normal? Plus, nice to see a younger Bruce. It’s been awhile. Cordell is menacing with his huge stature so it’s easy to see him as the killer.

Unlike typical slashers, in this first movie in the series there isn’t any nudity. Even when Jack’s wife walks in on him and Mallory having sex. And the ending has an obvious opening for a sequel (which happens). Though, unless they come up with a really good reason, there may be an issue on how he survived being impaled on a pole. But, I haven’t seen the sequels so there may be a “logical” reason for it.

If you enjoy slashers, especially 80’s slashers, this is a good movie to watch. What do you think? Is this a “must see” for a slasher fan, or am I crazy? Let me know in the comment section below.

Actor Robert Z’Dar, who played the Maniac Cop, worked as a police officer in real life for the Chicago police department.

Bruce Campbell admits that he only did the film because he needed work. He also admits that the film wasn’t any good.

Jill Gatsby (Cassie) is Larry Cohen’s daughter and is killed in every one of his movies that she’s in.

Let’s get into the rankings:

Kills/Blood/Gore: 3/5.

Sex/Nudity: 0/5 No nudity.

Scare factor: 3/5.

Enjoyment factor: 8/10.

My Rank: 3.5/5.

IMDB: 6.1/10.

Rotten Tomatoes: critics: 5/10 audience: 4/10.

Letterboxd: 3.