Dangerous Game

Another variation on The Most Dangerous Game, this time set in a closed shopping mall where a psychopathic cop chases naughty teenagers. But don't expect your typical slasher flick. The main villain doesn't behave like a typical slasher killer. Instead of systematically slaughtering one character after another, he spends most of the time just running around the mall, screaming madly and trashing everything around him, occasionally even knocking someone out. The chaotic plot corresponds quite well with the film's wild video clip aesthetic, which, from the moment the teenagers break into the mall, feels like a circus parade of 80s cinematography trends set by MTV and Blade Runner. But the explosive, colourful light show with disorientating editing unfortunately leaves no room for suspense or horror. An interesting watch in its own way, but purely for hardcore seekers of unknown “ozploitations”. For Stephen Hopkins, however, it was a ticket to Hollywood. (14.11.2018)