DeathSpa

Death Spa (1988)

Michael Evans owns a state of the art health spa where technology helps everyone stay fit. That is until the day when the technology starts to go haywire and injuring people. But then is it the fault of the equipment or is someone else causing it? Perhaps his partners who want to run him out of the business, or maybe his ex brother-in-law who still isn’t over the death of his twin sister? Regardless of who it is the bodies begin piling up. This of course begs the question of just how badly do people need to work out?

So when I sat down to watch this movie I expected it to be just another 80’s slasher movie. And for much of the movie it does play that way. There is a killer stalking the spa killing off the beautiful people in gruesome ways. The police get involved, but can’t stop the body count from rising. You have several possible suspects, but the movie does reveal early on who the killer is. But then suddenly there is this shift to a ghostly possession story that is completely out of left field. That said I do have to say that the movie does deliver the goods. You have some good kills, gratuitous nudity including a great shower scene, and that special kind of cheesy goodness that only seems to come from 80’s movies. And even when the movie completely shifted gears on me I still had fun with it. This is one of those wacky movies that works well as a serious slasher movie and still works when it becomes more like a Night of the Demons cheesy gore fest.

Speaking of the gore I really did like the special effects in this movie. They aren’t the kind of super realistic stuff from say Day of the Dead, but they have that 80’s charm and appeal that the best practical effects always have. Plus we get some great kills including a nice melting face, an exploding gun, death by blender, a weight machine that causes someone to bust a gut (literally!), and a great spike thru the neck. I’d have to say the gore hounds will be pleased with this one. Oh and did I mention the frozen fish that comes back to life for revenge? I did tell you guys it got cheesy right?

Now I feel like I’ve talked this movie up quite a bit. The truth is there are some pacing issues, the killer is revealed far too early, and many viewers are going to be put off by the sudden change in the mood of the movie. These are all valid criticisms and I am knocking off some “points” for them. But not every movie is going to be perfect and lately I’ve sat thru some real stinkers. So when I find a movie that is this much fun to watch I get excited about it. Sadly Death Spa doesn’t appear to be on DVD here in the states, so finding the used VHS looks to be your best bet. If you can find it for a decent price I do recommend you pick it up.

2 ½ out of 4

reviewed by John Shatzer