Class of 1984
Director: Mark Lester
Cast: Perry King, Merrie Lynn Ross, Timothy Van Patten, Roddy McDowall
Reviewed by Brian M. Sammons
Class of 1984 isn’t a horror movie, but it is one of those movies that always seems to get lumped in with horror flicks for some reason. You know, rape-revenge movies like I Spit on Your Grave, Savage Streets, and the like. You notice I kept Last House on the Left off of that list because I think that one blurs the line between exploitation flicks and horror movies, even if it is wildly bipolar in tone and mood, but that’s a discussion for another day. Maybe movies like this get the horror label because they’re violent or because awful things happen in them? If that’s the case, why is Schindler’s List not considered a horror movie? I mean, in many ways it is, so…? Okay, now I’m getting even more off topic. All this is to say that Class of 1984 is an odd choice to come out from the premier horror blu-ray label, Scream Factory. But does that make it bad or not worthy of a get? Well grab your pencils, grab your books, and maybe a switchblade too, because we’re going to hang with the Class of 1984 to find out.
An idealistic teacher, Mr. Norris (no relation to Chuck) played by Perry King, rocking the sensitive man’s 80s beard to perfection, gets a job an inner city high school. This little bit of hell on earth is the collective of all the fears parents had about crime, drugs, and young people in general. These kids are almost comical in their fuck you attitude towards anything and everything. They dance on desks during class, smuggle knives past the lone metal detector, sell drugs in the boy’s room, wear outrageous 80s “punk rock” clothes, smoke, drink, fight, you know, all of the bad kids clichés. One group of teens seem worse than the rest, and they are. This pack of reprobates are led by Timothy Van Patten as Peter Stegman, a charismatic and talented youth from a well-off family, who nevertheless plays the baddest of the bad boys. As you may expect, Mr. Norris and this group of punks are soon set on a collision course.
Oh, I’m sorry, did I say “soon?” I meant eventually. While there is a bit of antagonism right at the start, this movie takes its time getting to the big showdown that is promised in the trailers and even the poster. Now that’s not essentially bad, as the characters are given plenty of time to be developed because of that, but if you’re expecting a typical big action confrontation, that was common in movies like this from the 80s, you might be a little disappointed. Oh there is some of that, to be sure, but not until the very end of this movie. So those wanting some Ms. 45 or even The Substitute levels of violence might want to look elsewhere.
What this movie does get so very right is the feeling that it’s a time capsule of 1980s awesomeness and what people in the 80s thought was right around the corner for every school in America. So that gets a big nod of approval from me. It also has Roddy McDowall in a supporting role where he gets to act his Roddy-ness, and I never tire of that. Of and there’s also a very young Michael J. Fox as one of the few good kids in school, so that was an unexpected treat. Furthermore, this isn’t a badly made film. The direction is more than competent and the actors, while at time a bit hammy or busy chewing on the scenery, are always entertaining. And yes, for fans of the old ultra-violence, there is some good retribution dished out at the end of this flick once the punks push the teacher too far, but it’s not exactly excessive or bloody. Gorehounds be warned.
While this movie may not be a typical Scream Factory release, it did get the typical Scream Factory treatment, with a great looking HD transfer and a nice selection of extras. There is a director’s audio commentary track, and a collection of interviews with director Mark Lester, actors Lisa Langlois and Erin Noble, and composer Lalo Schifrin. There is a featurette called “Blood and Blackboard” that has even more interviews and memories about the making of the movie. The always present trailer, TV spots, and still gallery can also be found here.
Class of 1984 may seem like an odd choice to come out from Scream Factory, but it is a top notch release and some fun 80s throwback action/melodrama. This film has developed a bit of a cult following over the decades, and rightfully so, as it is campy goodness from beginning to end. If you are a member of this cult, a fan of camp or revenge flicks, or just want to see this movie for yourself, this new blu-ray is the way to do. Looking great and given the respect it’s due with a nice selection of special features, consider this one recommended.
