4½ Pies

Reviewed by Limey

Plot Summary

When a serial killer is finally apprehended and executed for his crimes, the electric chair doesn't mark an end to his crimes. Instead, he uses the power of electricity to return and seek revenge on the football player that turned him in.

Review

Before we get started, there is something that needs to be addressed. For Christmas 2012, my brother across the pond and I gifted each other two flicks that we enjoyed but which the other had never seen. This is one of those given to me. Now while I've no doubt at all he genuinely wanted me to see Shocker, I rather suspect that the childish streak in Yankee got a huge kick out of knowing every time I Googled the word, the first result would be a, er… rather interesting hand gesture. I have two things to say to you -

1) Grow up.
2) Well played, sir. Well played.

That aside, it is appropriate that he chose a movie helmed by Wes Craven as my gift, since we first met through our mutual love for A Nightmare on Elm Street. As it happens Shocker bears a lot of similarities to his earlier hit. It features a villain that manages to transcend death and continue his killing spree in way that makes it all but impossible to escape. With Freddy Krueger it was the universal power of dreams, while Horace Pinker took advantage of our modern reliance on electricity.

So, we have a Craven production that feels an awful lot like one my favourite films, starring actors from two of my favourite shows - Mitch Pillegi (AD Skinner in the X-Files) and Ted Raimi (Joxer the Mighty in Xena: Warrior Princess). It is a fairly safe bet that I enjoyed it. Did I love it? No. There were flaws, some small, some big.

Most of those flaws will be covered below but the main one has to be that I'm not convinced Craven had a full grasp of his concept. Not in that he didn't understand it – he created it after all - more that it comes across like he had an idea but then didn't take the time to fine tune it, to work out all the rules. It doesn't always feel cohesive and - for all that is good - there are some moments that simply don't work.

Quotes:

Horace Pinker – (Singing) Time is on my side!

Horace Pinker – Aww, you're breaking my fucking heart!

Spook Factor: ¼ Pie

No way, not a chance; I don't care how wimpy you are, there's nothing spooky here. Horace Pinker is a bastard and his crimes horrendous but you are never drawn in enough to feel a connection to it, to really feel for the victims or think that it could be you.

Antagonist: ½ Pie

I actually want to give him more because, like I said, he is a bastard. He is ruthless, clearly gets a kick out of doing what he does, doesn't let a little thing like death stop him and is relentless in his quest for revenge.

Thing is, he's also a little one dimensional. He doesn't have the personality of a Freddy but because he has a face and dialogue, he can't get away with that like a Michael or Jason can. He even loses a little when he dies, which is another reason it isn't spooky. Freddy became scarier when he started killing in dreams. In contrast, Pinker feels a little bit silly when he starts body hopping and using electricity. Not what you want from a villain.

Story: ½ Pie

Here it is very much a mix. It is partly simple and unoriginal but in a way that is effective enough for what it is – a killer is caught and then seeks to exact his vengeance on the one responsible. It is a game of cat and mouse, two sides of a coin, etc. It gets messier, less effective and less interesting when you factor in the supernatural side.

Acting: ½ Pie

There are some actors who always come across as themselves. No matter what role they are in, all you see is them. For me, this film has an odd variation on that phenomenon. Before watching Shocker, the only part I had ever seen Mitch Pileggi play was AD Skinner. Despite the obvious and numerous differences, all I could see watching Pinker was Skinner acting psychotic. It's no reflection on his acting; he has just become so associated in my mind with that one role.

Unfortunately, a lot of the acting isn't very good. There are strong moments, some good supporting performances, and Camille Cooper had some great moments. Sadly, Peter Berg and Michael Murphy have some weak moments. Not weak performances, and not always equally weak, but definitely some moments that take you out of the film.

Directing: ½ Pie

Not Craven's strongest showing, but also not his weakest. There are pacing issues and he didn't help himself with the electricity idea. The effects needed limited him. There is also a sequence where the protagonist and antagonist chase each other through the television that is simply horrible. It is one of those scenes that probably seemed like a great idea but the execution left an awful lot to be desire.

Still, we all know Craven can be a good director. The man was behind the camera for Elm Street and Scream. There are plenty of moments, and even extended chunks of the film, where he is assured and puts together a good production.

Soundtrack: ½ Pie

There's nothing amazing, nothing offensive, it's just there. However, the No More Mr. Nice guy track did absolutely nothing for me. It doesn't help that it is playing during that awful TV sequence.

Special Effects: ¼ Pie

Too harsh? I don't know. It could be a half pie… But no, it just never looks good. Craven didn't help himself here by developing an idea that meant practical effects were out of the question. The era when the movie was made combined with a small budget mean that the effects aren't as good as they really needed to be to make it work.

Gore: ½ Pie

Not much but there are a few surprisingly effective moments, such as when Pinker attacks a prison guard and basically rips open his mouth. Everything else is pretty much your typical slashed throats, blood on the walls, etc. Not actually relevant but part of me did enjoy that the brawls almost turned into professional wrestling, with drop kicks and body slams all over the place. Who knew people actually fought like that?

Replay, Rewatch, Rewind: ½ Pie

I will, but not any time soon and possibly not by myself. If I had to guess, it will be within the next year and with my brother, another Craven fan. I'd never say No, it'll just never be my first choice.

Pros

Any time it keeps things simple...

Cons

... Any time the supernatural comes into play

Final Word

I enjoyed this film more than this review would suggest. It is an entertaining watch, I'm glad to have seen it and I did like it. It is also flawed and in such a way that always dragged me out of the experience. I was always watching a film, never involved with the drama. If they could have worked out some of the kinks, it would have been a stronger film; whether you could work out the kinks without actually just making a different movie, I don't know. Should you watch it? Go with your gut.