Cheap Thrills

Rating: Null/10 (30 April 2004)

The Concept: 'Invasion of the Body Snatchers' meets 'Terminator' meets 'Carrie'
It's hilarious watching these "horror" films--we know the cliches by heart, but gladly accept more. The acting is daft (even Englund's) but I saw this with 'Fast Times' because some of their players later went through the "Oliver Stone Camp." In this case, Depp (with Whitaker) in 'Platoon.' This is Depp's first work, but he's superior to everyone on the playing field.
This is your only spoiler warning...
The production values are definitely 'Highlander', even the photography borrows similar lighting and angles. By today's standards, the energy has evaporated because Craven invests all of it into the score...and the score is unbearably thin. David Fincher mastered the shot, chop, and idea with his projects.
By comparison to the shallow 'Halloween' and 'Friday the 13th' garbage, this actually has better points. Kruger is the Martin Riggs of the genre, except here where he's the one-dimensional bogeyman. He'd later add the human element; outclassing the foolish actors (and directors) that didn't understand it.
Some interesting notes:
--The whole premise, 'Halloween' with 'Alice', was later expanded in 'Matrix'. The hero, by modern standards, is a prude. Just goes to show how this has dated in 20 years.
--Craven retains his hypocrisy from 'Hills.' Here he takes from 'Exorcist', 'Psycho', 'Caligari', and 'Evil Dead.' Ironically, Raimi would bring a new vocabulary to the genre with 'Dead 2' and 'Army.' Still, Craven is slightly smarter than Carpentar.
--Kruger bleeds anti-freeze. He resides in an industrial lair. His weapon of choice, naturally, is his razor glove. Being possessed by the machine fetish, he kills kids. The adults don't understand the myth since they're raised on science, so the superstitious kids conquer him.
Now only of historical interest. Craven got it right with 'New Nightmare' by mixing real and movie worlds; and it's darn fun.
Final Analysis = = Midrange Material