‘April Fool’s Day’ is foolish, fun 1980s fodder
There have been many horror films tied to holidays and specific dates on the calendar. From Friday the 13th to Halloween to the Christmas-themed movies of Black Christmas and Silent Night, Deadly Night, nothing gets audiences rollicking in the aisles like a reference to a date they know. OK, maybe that’s an overstatement, but it certainly is a clever marketing tool.
In the 1980s, the formula continued with April Fool’s Day, a fairly ridiculous horror film that finds a group of teenagers dropping one by one on a remote island (this should sound familiar). Guess the date they decide to visit this island. You guessed it: April 1.
The movie, directed by Fred Walton (When a Stranger Calls) and written by Danilo Bach (Beverly Hills Cop story), stars a few well-known ’80s faces, including Clayton Rohner, Deborah Goodrich and Ken Olandt. Rohner and Goodrick one may know from Just One of the Guys.
There’s not much of a plot in the film, except the usual one-by-one killing spree so often used in horror films. The one twist to April Fool’s Day is that nothing is what it seems. It’s difficult to tell who might be the villain, the hero/heroine or even the victims. Remember: This is a movie titled April Fool’s Day. Practical jokes are aplenty.
If there was any admirable quality to the largely forgettable slasher flick it’s that the cast and filmmaking team know how to have some fun. Even before the self-conscious, tongue-in-cheek of Wes Craven’s Scream, some horror films knew how to couple humor with the scares. April Fool’s Day does this, but it never scares enough to keep one’s interest, and its humor is only so-so. Taking the few laughs and fewer screams together, the movie can somewhat transport audiences back to the time of crimped hair, baggy jeans and catch phrases — but only somewhat.
For those able to stay awake until the very end, there are some nice surprises. They do not make up for the overall lackluster effort.
By John Soltes / Publisher / John@HollywoodSoapbox.com
-
April Fool’s Day
-
1986
-
Directed by Fred Walton
-
Written by Danilo Bach
-
Starring Clayton Rohner, Deborah Foreman, Deborah Goodrich and Ken Olandt
-
Running time: 90 minutes
-
Rated R
-
Rating:
