Film Review - Student Bodies

In the early 1980's the horror movie was the most profitable genre in film making. The film didn't need to be good. It just had to scare teenagers. Not one horror film of the era lost money.

Student Bodies is a parody of the early 1980's horror movie. It pokes fun at insipid characters who are too stupid to continue living in a world populated by pathetic killers.

The story is simple. Teenagers are being killed because they are having sex. The killer is a heavy breather who where galoshes, and rubber gloves. He can't move quickly, but for some reason, none of the victims can get away. Sound familiar? It's the basic plot of most horror movies.

Student Bodies then goes on to tell you how stupid this plot is. As the first victim makes her fatal mistake, a large arrow is superimposed pointing at the unlocked door. The word, "Unlocked!" flashes. Later as people begin to die we are given body counts.

The other twisted side of this movie is the sound track. Visually, we see a dog bark, but we hear a cat meow. Most of the sound sweetening is very primitive daring the audience to wonder of the picture was made with pocket change. (It might have. There are no names in this picture. The star was never in any other movie.)

Student Bodies is not a great picture. But it is good parody. It goes out of its way to scream at you that horror flicks are trite and should be laughed at. This is worth watching when it plays on HBO, but I wouldn't spend money on it.

Dust Bag Full

Film Facts

Directed by
Mickey Rose
Michael Ritchie

Released in 1981

MPAA Rating: R

Reviewed by Mongo