Horror is one of those genres where many times we think we have seen it all. At times, it seems like it is the same old concept with remakes and rip-offs left and right. In 1980, Prom Night came out and was billed as something "new". The plot is about a killer at a high school prom and sounds like something that could be very interesting and creative and a movie that maybe could have really been something if put in the right hands. Well Prom Night did not work for me as it is dull and frankly not very fun and one of the more disappointing horror movies I have ever seen.
A film, even a horror film, usually starts with it's lead actors who need to help move the film along. Here the cast is experienced, likable and they can all act. It is fun to see Jamie Lee Curtis right after her role in the successful Halloween movie. That said, the cast is not given much to do and nothing really out of the ordinary. Most of the characters play typical high schoolers that are mostly sex-driven with smoking pot a close second as far as favorite activities and they really just lolly-gagg around. Leslie Nielson plays the principal of the school and frankly is not shown as much as he should be and I think maybe he was just inserted into the movie because he was a "name" actor.
There is an interesting back story here but the killer is about as interesting as a rock. The killer really brings no electricity or pizazz to the table as he should. Further, the kill scenes are really uneven and lacking. Finally, the ending is just empty.
Being kind of a nerd and an outsider, I don't know much about attending a prom but this one in the movie seemed tiresome because it is where most of the film was set. It is also now dated with a disco "old-school" setting but the soundtrack is pretty good.
Prom Night is just plain blah. I was not at all impressed and frankly do not see how there were three sequels made after this one. I was done after this first one.
2/5
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