Counting down the IMDB bottom 100 films... see my Ciao homepage for more info and a list of the film...
Counting down the IMDB bottom 100 films... see my Ciao homepage for more info and a list of the films...
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Officer Kate Sullivan (Gretchen Becker), nicknamed ‘Maniac Kate’ for her use of excessive force, finds herself caught up in a shoot out when a junkie attempts to steal pharmaceuticals from a store. She takes down the junkie and his fake hostage/accomplice, getting shot in the process and leaving her in a coma. Scandal soon follows as incomplete video footage of Kate shooting the believed hostage is found with no evidence to exonerate her. To make matters worse Kate was using illegal hollow point bullets. Close friend and detective Sean McKinney (Robert Davi) takes an interest in the case while also investigating a number of unusual homicides. ‘Maniac Cop’ also takes an interest in the case, finding an affinity with Kate as a wronged police officer; his back-story is covered at the beginning of the film (see spoiler at the bottom of this page). With his own plans for Kate he continues to exact his own vigilante style of justice on all that get in his way.
William Lustig (Maniac) directs with flair and attention to detail. It is surprising that he hasn’t produced more popular or significant films. Larry Cohen (Phone Booth and numerous trashy horror flicks) provides a script full of colourful characters and sharp dialogue. There is an underlying black humour amongst the extraneous characters adding another level of realism to the film, previously lacking in the series. This is a more fully realised world, which goes a long way to helping the audience feel a part of it. With Robert Davi (Die Hard, Licence to Kill) reprising his previous role it neatly does away with any need to work through too much of the story’s background or rediscover things that the audience is already familiar with. This allows for quicker story progression and room for more of the new material.
It is not essential to see the previous films, although I would always recommend it, as all the necessary background story is covered in a handy prologue and a few flashbacks to the previous film. While fans of the original will have been disappointed with Bruce Campbell’s departure in the previous instalment, Robert Davi continues to more than makes up for the loss.
Robert Z’Dar’s portrayal of Matt Cordell, aka maniac cop, is easily on a par with supernatural killers like Jason Vorhees and Michael Meyers. He has a very strong physical presence that dominates his scenes as much as his victims. There are also good supporting roles by notable actors like Robert Forster (Jackie Brown), Paul Gleason (The Breakfast Club), Grand L Bush (Demolition Man) and try to spot Ted Raimi (Sam’s brother) in a small role.
Despite the inclusion of some very silly ideas such as maniac cop being resurrected with the aid of black magic, this is possibly the best of the Maniac Cop series. It does have some silly, over the top moments, some of the murders seem rather pointless or unnecessary in the context of the plot and the ending descends into a slightly nonsensical stream of action (featuring some great, trademark Lustig, fire stunts). I couldn’t help but feel that expanding on the initial story ideas surrounding Kate may have provided a better finish. However, considering the general fantastical feel of the film it doesn’t matter too much as long as you’re enjoying it. Great entertainment for fans of the genre that could appeal to anyone in need of a few mindless thrills.
Running time: 85 mins Certificate: 18
**Spoiler for Maniac Cop** The ‘maniac cop’ was police officer Matt Cordell who was framed by fellow officers and sentenced to prison. There he was soon brutally murdered by other inmates that knew him. In the previous films he returned from the grave, seeking revenge on those that wronged him.
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