Class Reunion

Odd hybrid of slasher film and high school reunion spoof varies wildly in tone and intent from scene to scene - the AIRPLANE style puns and literal interpretations sit uneasily with the slasher moments. At its best when allowing the focus to fall on the stranger members of the ensemble - especially Buzby, whose Pazuzu-style asides are hilarious and almost worth watching the movie for; Ramsey is also fun as the lunchlady.

My somewhat vague recollection was of a movie without interest or redeeming value, except perhaps to permit personal reflection upon why certain scenes or aspects appall more than others. That it was written by John Hughes, for whom some have had an inappropriate degree of seeming respect, appears worth noting.

Poor 'follow up' to Animal House that must have disappointed in 82. It has no idea what it wants to be, and it is neither an effective spoof or a legitimate comedy in its own right. That National Lampoon's released this stinker and Movie Madness in the same year is surely some kind of achievement, and they are lucky they survived it. It was also written by John Hughes but bares no resemblance to his work thereafter.

One of my least favourite movies of all time.

42.500

Goofy teen slasher spoof that is not witty enough to overcome its dumbness, and has way too many characters for a movie that barely hits 80 minutes. An early writing credit from John Hughes but lacking his usual insight, still learning his thing before pumping out an insane number of screenplays over the rest of the decade.

Probably a lot more fun to make than to watch. I hope so, anyway.