The Burning

Nudity:  Low

    Gore:  Moderate

       Body count:  Ten

Review after the jump.

The Burning showed up on the slasher scene not too long after Friday The 13th, and it sure lets you know that it's riding on Mrs Voorhees' coattails.  However, this is not to say that it's just a bland ripoff.  Ripoff?  Sure.  Bland?  Hell nah.

A janitor of a youth summer camp is a dick to the kids, so one group of geniuses decide to pull a "prank" on him, which ends up with him and his cabin catching on fire (his cabin is littered with gasoline cans).  Years later, he returns to the camp to kill counselors and kids, alike.  Surprise!

Shortly after the introductory scene, we see the janitor in Times Square where he murders a prostitute.  There is absolutely no point to this scene other than to pay homage to Maniac.  Or maybe rip it off.  Either way, I always like seeing scummy NYC back before it became yuppified.

There are a couple cool deaths, and the body count may be above average, although it definitely leaves you wanting a bit more in terms of gore.  Other than that, there are some good laughs and memorable characters.

The movie flowed pretty well until the final showdown scene, in which it seemed like they hired a new editor who had no idea what he was doing and didn't read the script.  IE: some shots of the climax of the showdown are randomly spliced into the beginning of it.  The whole scene is all a bit disorienting and left me pretty disappointed once the credits started to roll.  I'd give it a higher rating if it weren't for this mess of a scene.

This movie also has some familiar faces in it.  First off, we see Brian Backer of Fast Times At Ridgemont High and Police Academy 4: Citizens On Patrol fame.  Fuck yeah.  Up next we have Jason Alexander of Seinfeld.  Finally, there's Fisher Stevens, the bad guy from Hackers and Super Mario Bros The Movie.  There are also a couple other people you'll recognize from playing smaller roles in other movies/TV shows.

I forgot to mention, this movie was written by brothers Harvey & Bob Weinstein.  Yes, those Weinstein brothers that went on to produce countless [shitty] Hollywood flicks.  Thought that was pretty cool.

All in all, definitely enjoyable and recommended for any collection.

6.5 out of 10 skulls.