Review of Neon Maniacs (1986) by Robert H — 09 Dec 2014

Early on I was wondering why this is a highly overlooked b-movie from the 80s. As the movie went on, I kind of understand why now.

This movie is just too middle of the road, forgettable, and (unfortunately) nothing special. It has all the elements you would expect for a cult classic in the making: A big cast of monsters, action that takes place at different set pieces (such as a school and a subway transit), and all that 80s flavor you would want from something like this.

However, it doesn't really do anything special. There are no "so bad it's funny" type of moments. There isn't really any gore, there's no real payoff, it doesn't make much sense, and there just isn't anything memorable about this movie. It's not really the most original movie either. It's basically Gremlins, but without an ending.

This is a spoiler, but not more of a warning to those who may watch this: There isn't really a payoff or ending to this movie. It just sort of stops. The Neon Maniacs are still around and the main characters are still alive. So what is to stop future attacks from the maniacs? If this were a zombie movie or a haunted house movie or something then you can expect a "just survive the night" type of ending. But this is a movie where the entire time they're trying to figure out how to stop the maniacs (or just playing a concert in a high school gym that is lacking tons of supervision and seemingly serves beer) and when they go to the maniacs' lair it just sort of stops. Nothing happens with the main characters. I thought (based on early parts of the movie) the main characters would have to fight the samurai maniac and use their wits to beat him. But no, that doesn't happen.

Another moment I actually did find quite funny, and it may be the funniest and most memorable part of the movie, is how Nathalie and Steven leave the safety of the gym where there is a firehose to go hide in a classroom science lab. Of course, a maniac is on to them and enters the same room to try and find them, but... the maniac doesn't see them and leave. So what do our heroes do? Make out and presumably have sex. This is RIGHT AFTER several kids had been gunned down.

I will say the subway chase was fun and I liked the young girl character (she had spunk), but this movie was just too middle of the road. It's not that bad, but doesn't need to be seen either.