The New Kids [DVD]

Is there anyone out there (women included) who didn't develop a crush on the interminably cute Lori Loughlin after watching the 1985 film The New Kids? Probably, but for me, it was different (yeah, that's what they all say)...Lori Loughlin looked so very much like a girl in my neighborhood, whom I also had a crush on, back when I was in my teenage years...seems to me crushes were a dime a dozen back then, as were broken hearts, but I digress (as usual). Co-written by Stephen Gyllenhaal (father of actors Maggie and Jake) and Brian Taggert (Visiting Hours, Wanted: Dead or Alive), and directed by Sean S. Cunningham (Friday the 13th, DeepStar Six), the film features Shannon Presby ("Five Mile Creek"), Lori Loughlin (Amityville 3-D, Secret Admirer), and James Spader (Pretty in Pink, Less Than Zero, Stargate). Also appearing is Eric Stoltz (The Wild Life, Mask, The Fly II), Eddie Jones (C.H.U.D., Invasion U.S.A.), John Philbin (The Return of the Living Dead, Point Break), Vince Grant (Timequest), Paige Lyn Price (All the Right Moves), and Tom Atkins (Halloween III: Season of the Witch, Creepshow).Loren (Presby) and Abby (Loughlin) McWilliams are teenaged siblings who face a difficult task of moving on after the untimely deaths of their parents. Shortly after their parents are laid to rest, Uncle Charlie (Jones) shows up and offers to take the pair in, to which Loren and Abby accept and move to a jerkwater town in Florida. On arriving they discover Uncle Charlie has just purchased a dilapidated amusement park called Santa's Funland, to which he plans on fixing up and making his fortune. As kids begin to settle into their new lives, Abby finds some of the local boys have taken a shine to her, particularly that of Dutra (Spader), the creepy, wild eyed, albino leader of loose knit gang of rednecks whose hobbies include dogfights, shooting guns, using and selling drugs, and betting on who can nail the new girl...smooth move Dutra makes his play, but Abby, sensing what an obvious sleaze ball the guy really is, turns him down. Well, Dutra doesn't accept rejection well, and he and his boys participate in a little vengeful vandalism and property damage. Loren fights back, pretty effectively too, but Dutra isn't the type to let things go being all insane and such, and matters escalate to the point where Dutra and his cronies kidnap Abby during the big dance for a little after party get together...Abby manages to escape (with a few well placed groin kicks), but Dutra knows where she's going, and heads her off at the pass (the `pass' being the amusement park). Soon enough Loren makes the scene and now the siblings find themselves running for their lives through the theme park, hunted by liquored up, drug-addled hillbillies sporting shotguns, vicious tempers, and murderous intent.I enjoyed this movie specifically for the fact it didn't try to be more than it was, which is a really well done, exploitive B film. Yeah, I suppose having Lori Loughlin in it didn't hurt its chances with me, but since Ms. Loughlin refuses to return my calls or participate personally in my romantic visions of whimsy (have I somehow overestimated my animal magnetism?), any bias leanings I would have normally felt towards the film, or any of the projects she appears in, have leveled off since...the real highlight here, for me at least, is James Spader as Eddie Dutra, king sleaze in a group where that's one hell of an accomplishment. Picture his character from Pretty in Pink, only with less money and a whole lot meaner...and ruthless...and violent...and with an odd southern drawl...and an albino. Love that custom maroon boogie van he drives around in...it's always interesting to see someone still perpetrating a fad that long since seen its day, even in 1985 (`vanners' saw their heyday in the late 70s, despite the protest of a few of the more dedicated members). He was just so slimy, so vile, so despicable, and so entertaining. Look for the scene when Loren sneaks into Dutra's room in the middle of the night to collect on a debt. The décor of Dutra's room speaks volumes towards his character, a great example of fleshing out a character without wasting a lot of screen time. There were some interesting characters in his little band of hoodlum rejects, but Dutra was, without a doubt, calling the shots. Another aspect I liked was the fact that the characters of Loren and Abby weren't weakling types normally prone to victimization, but strong characters that stood up for themselves, even despite facing greater odds. This was obviously a quality they got from their father (played by Atkins), who we saw a bit of near the beginning of the film. The dialog works, as does the acting (for the most part), and the location shots are excellent. Cunningham keeps the story moving along well, priming the audience for what they know is coming, in that of a final showdown, and what a confrontation it is...what makes the film so much fun, especially towards the end, is that the villains are so absolutely and completely rotten that when they do get their comeuppance, you can't help but let out a fulfilled cheer, much like I do when Chuck Bronson blasts a cap into a worthless punk in one of those Death Wish movies. A couple of memorable sequences is when Loren rigs the Ferris wheel and takes Moonie for a ride (Dutra had planted Moonie on top of the Ferris wheel with a rifle), and when Loren is fighting with Gideon (Philbin) near the roller coaster...this scene gave new meaning to the phrase `a little off the top'...you have to see the film to understand the full extent of that comment. And watch Abby get jiggy with a two by four...few things can get your point across like a good piece of lumber upside someone's head. All in all this is a great little film, worth at least a rental if you enjoy the seedy side of cinema, and don't mind a little blood along with perceived violence towards animals (I do think the lopping of the chicken head was real), followed by a slightly predictable ending which I didn't see coming, but enjoyed nonetheless.The quality of the picture, presented in anamorphic widescreen (1.85:1), looks excellent, and the Dolby Digital Stereo comes through very well. There aren't really any special features, but there are some unrelated trailers for other Columbia Tristar Home Video releases like Frankenfish (2004), Devour (2005), Vampires: The Turning (2005), and Kingdom Hospital (2004).Cookieman108If I learned anything from this film it's that dousing a woman with lighter fluid and then threatening to set her on fire does not make her more accepting towards intimate relations...

A young handsome James Spader gives a bad boy performance. No offense to Florida residents but for there, this is right on realistic and could sort of happen to day with some updated refreshers. It's crazy down there sometimes.

A horror thriller about a brother and sister who lose their parents in a car accident. Go to live with their aunt and uncle in Florida, but soons come under attack from a local gang of backwood thugs. Lead by a sinister psychopath played brilliantly by James spader. Soon the attacks grow to a boiling point leading to a final showdown between the siblings and the gang. A more darker take on the karate kid storyline, but combining elements from straw dogs and tuff turf. A great movie for fans of the revenge horror subgenre.

The 1985 horror/thriller "The New Kids" came and went out of theaters only grossing $199,108 against a production budget of 6 million. It received mixed reviews at the time and was directed by Sean S. Cunningham ("Friday the 13th", "Deep Star Six"). It is also notable for featuring a young James Spader as the antagonist. It is entertaining if uneven at various points but is saved by a very inspired and crazy third act. It reminded me at times like a bigger budgeted "Last House on the Left". As a time capsule from the mid 80's though, this often forgotten film hits the mark. Mill Creek Entertainment brings "The New Kids" to blu-ray as part of their retro VHS slipcover releases.The film is presented on a dual layer disc in its original 1.85:1 aspect ratio utilizing the AVC codec at a rock solid bit rate staying in the upper 20's and low 30's throughout. Overall the film looks great on this disc. Detail is very nice along with accurate flesh tones and contrast & black levels. I noticed no compression artifacts at all. I do not have any prior DVD release on hand to compare but the transfer on this blu-ray should be big step up overall.Audio is presented in 2 channel master audio. Everything sounded clear and well defined. English subtitles are included for the hearing impaired.No extras are included, not even a trailer."The New Kids" while not a great film does definitely have its moments. It mixes up thriller elements with horror violence into a nice cinematic stew that while not original, is entertaining enough to watch. James Spader is particularly good in what was one of his very early film roles. This blu-ray is a great way to check out this film and the price being less than 9 dollars currently makes it a no brainer for fans of the glorious 80's.

Blu-Ray Rating:Audio 3/5 Video 3/5Movie Rating:4/5Product/Delivery:5/5 arrived in a bubble envelope, via Prime within a couple of business days.

First time seeing this great flash back bully movie!

Fun 80s movie, glad it was now on bluray.

Not bad

Excellent