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Maniac Cop
81 minutes (18) 1989
Synergy DVD Region '0' retail
Director: William Lustig
review by Tony Lee

William Lustig, director of Maniac (1981) probably had to turn in his badge and warrant card after launching a series of B-movies with this paranormal terrors flick. Written and produced by low-budget genius Larry Cohen, it stars Tom Atkins as NYPD detective Frank McRae, investigating a string of brutal murders, apparently committed by a uniformed officer. Jack Forrest, played by Bruce (Evil Dead) Campbell, becomes the prime suspect after his wife is killed, and only McRae and Jack's girlfriend believe he's innocent.
   What makes this thriller above average is the identity of the 'maniac cop'. As revealed in flashback, this delivers one of the movie's best sequences, topped only by an attack on the police station that's styled after The Hitcher. The cast includes Richard Roundtree, William Smith, Sam Raimi and Laurene Landon, but they all seem to be acting in emotional handcuffs. It's a shame, really, but the paranoid elements of Cohen's script - with its intelligent questions about public confidence in the police force - are largely wasted in favour of mindless TV-movie action.
   Still, this one's worth taking home for questioning if the title itself appeals.
   DVD extras: 'collectors edition' has scene access in 31 chapters, original trailer, distributor's showcase with trailers for six other Synergy titles including a trilogy of Basket Case comedy-horrors and spoof, Frankenhooker, by cult director Frank Henenlotter.

DOWSE Guide to the Movies is compiled by Tony Lee editor of Pigasus Press
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