MovieChat Forums > The Funhouse (1981) Discussion > Most overrated slasher of the early 80's

Most overrated slasher of the early 80's

posted 10 years ago by Bwizzle420
34 replies | jump to latest

After having this film recommended to me by many, as well as it having nearly a 6/10 rating on here AND being directed by Tobe Hooper I went in to it with my expectations set pretty high. Sadly this film is a great example of how hype can kill a film. This movie had no suspense, bad lighting, unlikeable and annoying characters, bad story, terrible script, the killer/monster looked like the thing from the goonies.. I can't think of one thing good about this film. I mean I guess it had the barebones laid out for it to be good but it just couldn't deliver. How could you possibly make a bad horror film that takes place within a carnival haunted house? The answer is.. The funhouse. I doubt I'll ever check out the remake but I betcha it's better than this.

[–] SeanJoyce 10 years ago

No, that distinction belongs to The Prowler.

http://jmoneyyourhoney.filmaf.com/owned

[–] Mr_Ectoplasma 8 years ago

No, that distinction belongs to The Prowler.

Thank you. I think The Prowler is a decent flick, but I had so many unfulfilled expectations when I first watched it. It's definitely overrated IMO. I think the main attraction for people is the gore in it; that shower scene is brutal. But there are so many films of the era that surpass it in other respects.

[–] [deleted] 6 years ago

Nonsense.

[–] smitthhh 10 years ago

What?? If anything this is underrated.

[–] ethermusic1981 9 years ago

Agreed! I don't know anyone outside of IMDb that knows a damn thing about this film.

[–] gerald_b_1 9 years ago

I think a movie depends on the mind frame for sure and when you watch said film. I first watched this film when I was eight years old...i personally love the chatoicness of the funhouse after the supporting girl character falls through the floor, trapped in the vents and the ending sequence with the turning of the funhouse gears (which is a hooper trademark as he often used a mechanical sound (chainsaw) to insight terror) the ending is also very bleak.

[–] CaptainTerrific 9 years ago

I just watched it for the first time a couple of days ago. I went in with no expectations because I didn't know anything about it.

I loved it! I expected a typical, boring '80's teen slasher, but instead, I got something with depth, with a good look (I liked the lighting), and plenty of suspense. I do wish they'd disposed of that little kid somehow, but that's just nitpicking. 😃

[–] YankeeDood 9 years ago

Give me Happy Birthday To Me, Deadly Blessing, Hell Night , any day over this.

Those are excellent movies, especially because they choose atmosphere over gore.

"You can't kill the Boogeyman."
- Tommy Doyle

[–] YankeeDood 9 years ago

I like this movie, but I agree about the teenagers. They were hella cocky.

"You can't kill the Boogeyman."
- Tommy Doyle

[–] ethermusic1981 9 years ago

Happy Birthday to Me? Deadly Blessing? Hell Night? Now it makes sense...those movies are terrible!
The Funhouse is a classic compared to that 80s trash you listed.

[–] InherentlyYours 8 years ago

Deadly Blessing received decent reviews. The Funhouse nor Deadly Blessing were "slashers"

[–] lightkeeper-1 8 years ago

I loved it.

[–] shred-com 8 years ago

The Funhouse is definitely a slasher movie.

[–] InherentlyYours 8 years ago

I haven't seen it in awhile , and don't' recall slashing of bodies with blood spurting

[–] shred-com 8 years ago

A movie doesn't need that to be classified as a slasher film though. The Funhouse has a killer, a group of teens getting stuck in a Funhouse being knocked off one by one. It's always been grouped in with the films from the golden age of the slasher movie.

[–] JoferJeff 8 years ago

Its a slasher. It just happens to be one with a low body count.

Check me out on youtube at Jofer Jeff and follow me on Twitter

[–] hurricane (1908) 4 years ago

I agree.

A slasher doesn't necessarily have to have a high body or blood count. I know the name sort of implies slashing. But it's not entirely necessary.

Take slasher as a shortened or informal version of the term 'stalk and slash' movie, and it provides a better description of the genre. Any time where a group of people, usually teenagers, are stalked and/or slashed by a villain than it's a slasher.

[–] SweetD19 8 years ago

Not terrible at all

[–] ethermusic1981 9 years ago

Most overrated slasher of the early 80s? Give me a break. Ever see any of the Friday the 13th sequels?Those are the most overrated slashers of the 80s.

[–] missnat (1172) 6 years ago

The Funhouse takes time to get going but I liked it.

[–] [deleted] 4 years ago

[deleted]