31 by 31 Challenge #24: MANIAC COP (1988)

An action movie aesthetic combined with horror film mainstays and a classic 80's slasher template--what more could you possibly want from schlock horror? Nothing, of course. And that's why William Lustig's Maniac Cop is one of the most fun, cheesy cult films that you can uncover in the wide world of horror. A perfect flick to throw on while imbibing with friends, and a nice alternative to Leprechaun (1993) for St. Patrick's Day horror fare.

Maniac Cop
Released: May 13, 1988
Director: William Lustig
Screenplay: Larry Cohen

Tagline: "You have the right to remain silent. Forever."

Cast:
Bruce Campbell as Officer Jack W. Forrest, Jr.
Tom Atkins as Detective Lieutenant Frank McCrae
Lauren Landon Officer Theresa Mallory
Richard Roundtree as Commissioner Pike
William Smith as Captain Ripley
Robert D'Zar as Officer Matthew Cordell
Nina Arvesen Regina Sheperd
Sheree North as Officer Sally Noland


A young woman is attacked on the streets of New York on her way. She runs for her life, relieved to see a cop off in the distance. She's saved. She runs into his heroic arms...and is then throttled to death by her perceived savior. On that quick, brutal opening, Lustig lets the viewer know exactly what's in store with this movie. There's a cop. He's a maniac. And that's that.

When examining the glut of slashers that dominated horror in the 80's, Maniac Cop actually stands out for a fairly unique premise, but it's more notable for it's setting. The film takes place entirely on the streets of the Big Apple, a locale often avoided with purpose in horror films, and that Lustig and his film tackled exactly one year before Jason did in the eighth Friday the 13th installment. Interestingly, Maniac Cop delivers on everything that Jason Takes Manhattan promised but failed, to do, i.e. a hulking, undead brute stomping around slaying innocent civilians all over the city that never sleeps. The result makes for one of horror's greatest unsung gems.

It doesn't hurt that genre favorites Bruce Campbell and Tom Atkins star as a gruff, loner cop and a seasoned detective trying to unravel how it's possible that disgraced (and deceased) former officer Matt Cordell is behind the recent string of killings, all of which witnesses say were carried out by a man in uniform. The answer to that mystery is as outlandish as any other horror backstory you can think of, but the plot is merely just window dressing for choice kills and beloved actors to strut around saying and doing badass things in their pursuit for a psychotic version of The Hulk. The acting is stiff at times, and the dialogue is even more rigid, but as one of the last true grindhouse films, Maniac Cop is fun, mindless camp that was always destined for the shelves of independent video stores.

In our current climate, we might be tempted to read into the film as a commentary on police brutality and the imbalance of power that's fueled by systemized corruption. It certainly would have been applicable at the time, as well, but beyond the obvious initial message, the film is too shallow to offer a more thought-provoking critique. And that's okay. Not every film has to require an English degree to enjoy. Sometimes all we need is a popcorn flick. And late 80's, low-budget horror had some of the best popcorn flicks out there. Maniac Cop sits comfortably on that shelf.


Maniac Cop
5 - Totally Terrifying
4 - Crazy Creepy
3 - Fairly Frightening
2 - Slightly Scary
1 - Hardly Horror