The 1980’s ushered in a golden era of horror cinema. Crossing over from fun film genre to pop culture, horror films ignited a passionate flame in fans that still burns bright today. A consistent call for new icons and gritty shooting style have only been answered on rare occasion from filmmakers. Writer/Director Mark Cantu and the team at Cineworx attempt to bring back the glory with their throwback film, “Massacre Academy.”
Two years after a brutal slaughter, the citizens and students of Orrstown, a small rural college town, attempt to put the macabre misery behind them. Kris McNeil (Jess Uhler,) a freshmen sensation softball star, was at the epicenter of the original massacre. Harboring a dark secret and now substitute parenting her younger sister, Maggie, Kris labors with both physical and psychological scars. A select few at the school and in town want to celebrate the slaughter and one survivor plans on cashing in on fright filled fame. As the anniversary approaches, new bodies start to turn up in eerily similar fashion to the original massacre. Dubbed Carnie by the press for his creepy clown mask, has Henry Lee Parmer miraculously come back from his watery grave to take final revenge? Or is a new copy cat killer ready to take advantage of the town’s terror filled past? A police department trying to prevent another brutal butchering, a university psychiatrist that is obsessed with Parmer, and a student body looking for a fun fright night, set the tone for a second semester slaughter.
Cantu promised an original take on the old plot of collegiate killers and strong final girl heroines, and Cantu delivers. From a fantastic intro to the last frame, “Massacre Academy” is a perfectly personified cinematic history lesson on how 80’s style horror should be shot. Cantu splashes foggy dark hues all over the screen in spectacular fashion, giving the film a classic slasher look. The dialogue is quick witted and clever, drifting from eighties lingo to in frame film references to classic play on words from literary geniuses like Steinbeck. Cantu litters his script with originality, which keeps the pace and plot flowing like a full speed terror train. Felissa Rose (Sleepaway Camp) Dave Sheridan (Scary Movie) and comedic icon Jackie Martling bring big clout to the film, all three giving screen stealing performances. Jess Uhler can proudly take her place next to other iconic final girls such as Neve Campell and Jamie Lee Curtis. Uhler exudes empathy, strength, and cunning throughout the film, a perfect physical dramatic performance. Even the best acted, best shot, horror films will sink without a powerful presence from the main monster. Carnie is just that and more. The crazed clown masked killer rampages through the town with creative violent vengeance. Sawing, clubbing, hanging, and frying are just a few of the creatively original ways this killer clown takes care of business. Carnie makes Pennywise look like a day player on Bozo’s Circus. “Massacre Academy” is the rare occasion where a film exceeds all expectations. A film that brings nostalgic pride back to the horror genre, obviously shot by a passionate and well-versed team. Easily, a cult following could ensue after the film’s release, with university screenings during October slasher nights. Every horror fan on the planet will want to enroll in the “Massacre Academy.”
Scream Score: 9.3/10
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