Intruder

Intruder (1989)

The Walnut Lake Market is closing it’s doors. In preparation the night crew is marking all the prices down to move the product off the shelves. While the prices are being slashed so are the night crew workers. It seems that someone is on a killing spree and has decided that the store is the best hunting ground available. One by one they are picked off. But who is killing them and why? Well we have plenty of suspects including an ex-boyfriend that is unhappy about a breakup. Eventually the killer is revealed, but will it be too late for anyone to survive?

If ever a movie had a horror pedigree it is Intruder. Directed by Scott Spiegel with Sam Raimi and his brother Ted in roles as victims the movie has some familiar names. Heck we even get a brief appearance from Renée Estevez (Sleepaway Camp II) and a cameo from Bruce Campbell. But don’t get me wrong and think that this movie is nothing but “stunt “ casting. Intruder is a really good movie that is more then just a collection of recognizable names.

The story is simple but effective. You get a group of people locked up in a familiar setting and then see them picked off one at a time. You don’t know who the killer is until the victim pool is cut so far down that there aren’t that many suspects left. Though be warned that inexplicably the trailer gives away the killer’s identity so don’t watch it! The characters exist solely to be killed off one at a time in spectacular ways (more on that later) so don't expect any character development or plot twists that will blow your mind or make you think. This movie is what it is, a slasher movie that follows the “rules” and boasts some killer effects. In my book there is nothing wrong with that.

Time to talk about the effects work. You will not see a slasher movie with better kills then you have on screen in Intruder. I include the amazing work that Savini did on Friday the 13th part I and IV, as well as his work on The Prowler when I make this statement. The kills in Intruder are that good. Though since this is the work from KNB that shouldn’t surprise anyone. We have stabbings, a head crushed, another head sawed in half, and someone hung on a meat hook! And that isn’t everything that we get to see. Oh and be very careful about what version you get. You want the uncut version of the movie to get all the good gory stuff. Apparently the VHS is cut all to hell.

Really guys this one is a must see and the best way to check it out is the new Synapse release that has both the DVD and Blu-Ray version of the movie. It is uncut and has all the gore in it. Not only that but the disc boasts some great special features including a 30 plus minute making of feature that is excellent. For this review I watched the Blu-Ray and the picture is beautiful. I’ve seen this movie in earlier releases and never for a minute thought that it could look this good. All in all you must get this release if you re a fan of Intruder. It is worth double dipping on.

I highly recommend both the movie and this new release from Synapse films. For more information check out there website at http://synapse-films.com/

3 ½ out of 4

reviewed by John Shatzer