The Burning
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Movie Reviews of The Burning
Movie Review: Ouch! That's Hot!
Summary: 4 Stars
No, this film isn't about Chlamydia, it's a long forgotten(but not by horror fans) slasher flick. The "burning" is actually a reference to a prank gone wrong(of course) that burns a sadistic camp caretaker to a crisp and turns him into a killing machine hell bent on revenge. He's not too picky on who he slaughters as long as it's campers. Basically what we got here is a plot right on par with Friday the 13th. While the plot won't be mistaken for original and the acting may not be oscar worthy, this little slasher flick is alot of fun and actually one of the better films in the genre. As a previous reviewer stated, alot of the kills in this film are in the daytime, which is a bit different. The first few minutes of the film actually follow the character of "Cropsy" as he's discharged from the hospital and tries to get it on with a hooker(not much better looking than him I might add), only to disgust her with his appearance, forcing him to kill her. Realizing he's never gonna have a normal life(or get laid) again, he then decides he may as well get revenge and takes to the camp to continue with his bloodlust. This intro was kinda different and cool as well. Another bonus is that this film wasn't afraid to up the ante in the gore department. It's not Dead Alive, but a little bloodier than you may expect. Cropsy's method of dispatching campers are a pair of garden shears. Not exactly the weapon I would use-kinda unreliable-but Cropsy makes it work. The teenagers are a bit more likeable than most you find in these films. Jason Alexander has hair! Holly Hunter is credited with a small role, but don't get too excited coz she has very little screen time and practically no lines other than some whimpering and crying. This dvd pretty much only gives us a short interview with Tom Savini as a bonus feature, but it's always a pleasure to listen to Savini talk about movies he's done. But either way we can just at least be thankful that this forgotten gem finally made it's way onto dvd.Movie Review: Apparently VD CAN be lethal
Summary: 4 Stars
(3.5/5 stars) "The Burning" begins by giving away too much of the movie: Cropsy, an allegedly mean-spirited, drunken caretaker at a summer camp, is inadvertently burned beyond recognition by some campers wanting to scare the man. (OK, now the title is out of the way) Cropsy spends the next five years in the hospital recovering from his wounds and as he exits, a doctor warns him to not seek vengeance on the kids who did it to him. Of course, it comes as a surprise to absolutely no one that he heads straight for the camp, where unsuspecting teens are casually frittering away their youth. The only surprises thereafter are the manner in which the kids perish. (Hey, at least the first "Friday the 13th" kept some revelations until the end!) This is neither an original nor an outstanding film, yet it is noteworthy for several reasons. In addition to being written by Harvey Weinstein, it marks the first time he produced a feature film. There are also appearances by several actors, who would go on to become fairly well-known: Jason Alexander had a rather substantial first feature film role here as camper Dave before becoming indelibly linked to George Costanza; Holly Hunter is far less visible as camper Sophie in her first feature; and Fisher Stevens ("Short Circuit," etc) has a memorable role as Woodstock in his first feature. As Sally, Carrick Glenn is an unbelievably pretty actress, who unfortunately (for us) had a very brief film career. In fact, all the performances are quite competent. Additionally, special effects guru Tom Savini stamps the film with his usual seal of extreme gore. Finally, MGM did a wonderful job with this DVD; the transfer looks terrific and there are actually English subtitles for those of us who want to make certain we correctly understand the important dialogue. So, an extra ½ star to MGM.Movie Review: Surprisingly Good Camp Slasher Flick
Summary: 4 Stars
A group of campers play a deservedly mean prank on an abusive counselor that accidentally results in his tragic burning. Years later, the disfigured, demented man known as Cropsy heads back to camp to take revenge.
Cleverly based on the old campfire terror tales of tradition, "The Burning" may sound like a flat-out rip-off of "Friday the 13th". Well, the filmmakers claim they had this story BEFORE "Friday the 13th", and maybe they did, because it somehow feels like a better movie than the usual Jason fare. The campers seem more real and sometimes even likeable (though I can't help but hate them a little for having so much fun; is summer camp really like it is in the movies?), and Tom Savini's makeup/effects work doesn't hurt the film either. It is a bit hard to tell the campers from the counselors at times, even though some folks looked too old to be at summer camp, and seeing Jason "George Costanza" Alexander as the life of the party with a full head of hair is just plain weird, ha, but overall it's a great piece of classic slasher fun that you definitely should see if you're into '80's horror.
The DVD features a widescreen presentation and includes the theatrical trailer, a gallery of stills, and a great interview with Tom Savini as he gives us the behind the scenes scoop on "The Burning". There's even a fine audio commentary with Director Tony Maylam and International Film Journalist Alan Jones. So go out and pick this one up. Oh yeah, and remind me to chew my parents out for never sending me to the non-stop orgy that is summer camp! Don't get me wrong though, it's mild here compared to in the Jason films.
Movie Review: The best slasher you've never seen
Summary: 4 Stars
Originally released in 1981, The Burning may seem like Friday the 13th redux (the original Friday only came out a year before this did), but make no mistake that this slasher is better than any installment of that long running and tired series. The Burning revolves around a camp terrorized by the deranged Cropsy (Lou David), who five years prior was the victim of a prank gone horribly awry, which has left him horribly burned to the point where no skin grafts of any kind could take. Naturally, a camp full of horny teenagers should sate his homicidal desires. What really makes The Burning memorable are the inventive makeup and gore effects of legendary FX master Tom Savini (coming hot of the success of Dawn of the Dead and Friday the 13th), as well as the super early appearances from future Oscar winner Holly Hunter, as well as funnyman Jason Alexander and Fisher Stevens. It's also worth noting that the film was written and produced by Harvey and Bob Weinstein; before their upstart company Miramax went to runaway success. The DVD doesn't have a plethora of extras, but it does have a commentary track from director Tony Maylam as well as a featurette with Tom Savini who recollects on his work and experiences making the film. All in all, slasher movies rarely get any better than this, and if you've never seen The Burning, you should definitely check it out.Movie Review: The definition of a good 80's slasher
Summary: 4 Stars
The Burning is about as good as an 80's slasher film gets. The story is simple but hits the nail on the head, following in the footsteps of films like Black Christmas and Friday the 13th. The caretaker Cropsy is horribly burnt and disfigured in a camp prank gone wrong, and returns after several years and many failed skin grafts to take his burning revenge on the councellors inhabiting the camp.
The Burning is not only violent, it's also stylish. The synth-theme makes the film stand out, and it utilizes the camera and environments very well to tell a straightforward story about regular teenagers caught in the vendetta of a madman. It's rare that the teenagers aren't obnoxious or unlikable, and since there is some good time spent with the bunch before the real horror strikes, I came to somewhat like them when they are finally dispatched in the legendary raft massacre sequence.
The Burning is up there with Black Christmas, Halloween, Friday the 13th and similar slashers that need to be seen if you're a horror fan. It comes highly recommended, and this edition is a good one, with an absolutely great remastered picture quality, a surprisingly sturdy mono track, and at least decent extras including an audio commentary and a segment with the effects wizard responsible for the memorable gore, Tom Savini.