Scarecrows (movie)

1 rating: 2.0

A 1988 horror film directed by William Wesley

Scarecrows is about five bank robbers who steal three million dollars from Camp Pendleton and take two hostages, a pilot and his daughter. As the robbers fly towards Southern waters, one of the robbers steals the loot and parachutes into … see full wiki

Tags: Movies, Action Movies, Action, Horror, Horror Movies, 80s, see all

Genre: Horror

Release Date: 1988

1 review about Scarecrows (movie)

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I still find the cult classic claims of this lame movie to be astonishing.

Oct 8, 2011

by Madpenguin
posted in Movie Hype

Rating:

A group of five commandos rob a payroll base for 3.5 million dollars in Camp Pendleton. They made a successful get away by hijacking a small plane, plus taking the pilot named Al (David James Campbell) and his daughter Kellie (Victoria Christian) hostage. Things appeared to be looking up for them until one of their number decides to betray them, by throwing the money off the plane and parachuting behind it. The traitor by the name of Bert (B.J. Turner) couldn't have picked a worst location. He lands with his former associates pursuing him in a very dark field, with a ran down house inhabited by scarecrows who happens to kill anyone fool enough to trespass. -summary

Very often I check out or revisit the "cult classics" that many people seem to love, because some happen to be outstanding. While I come away from others wondering, "did we all just see the same movie?". Scarecrows which came out in 1988, and directed by William Wesley is one of these so called gems that really doesn't live up to the hype. It's a shame really, because the film begins with such an eerie and creepy setting, that I truly believed this was going to be something special.

Scarecrows in my view is a classic tale of good intentions not making a good movie. The initial set up is done well setting up the mood and atmosphere. The entire film takes place at night in a very dark field with high vegetation. The well equipped commandos are even using night vision devices, which adds to the realism. But the real creepiness begins, when the scarecrows happen to play with their victims minds.

The mind play begins when Berts former associates are toying with his very possible demise at their hands, by constantly delivering threats, and the graphic detail of his death through their headset radios. The scarecrows play into this in a wicked way. This adds a great deal to the atmosphere setting up a scary stage. The build up is well done, and when the scarecrows do appear, the scene does work out well, but from this point, things go to hell rather quickly.

Before I get to the cons, I'll continue explaining what I thought worked out. The one theme I did pull out of this film was the effect greed can have on the human mind. Throwing 3.5 million bucks in a scenario like this is probably the best reason why these people would not want to vacate the premises immediately. If there was ever a horror film that had a realistic plot device, it had to be this. I mean people would sell their mothers for that kind of cash. So why not try and fight the undead? This story element worked out very well in some cases.

For those out there who don't believe very bad acting can cause a film to go from something to nothing rather quickly, really need to see this. The characters are too unconvincing in everything they do. They are so lifeless that it's impossible to take them serious. The acting really stands out in combination with the poor direction when one of them goes through some changes. If I ever saw an unconvincing mental change that was this bad in a film, I certainly don't remember it. Unrealistic characters is a huge problem for me, unless the film is trying its best to be completely stupid, and even then, I sometimes can't get into it.

The main character who is the leader of the bunch Curry (Michael Simms), provides some of the unintentional comedy in his dialogue. I wouldn't be honest if I didn't admit that I did enjoy his foul mouth. But one of my biggest problems with this movie lies in its predictability. Certain events that takes place clearly foreshadows the films end.

Scarecrows has a lot dragging it down. The over exposure of stationary scarecrows began to grate on my nerves. I got the idea a very long time ago, and I really didn't need it crammed down my throat. I hate being spoonfed the same meal over and over again. The film was clumsily put together, and the story elements weren't the least bit subtle. Seriously, a ten year old could figure this movie out with little effort.

The best thing Scarecrows has going for it is the gore. Some of the scenes are good for its time, such as limbs being removed, but overall the death scenes aren't too impressive. Even when compared to a film that predates it like The Prowler.

Scarecrows suffers from bad execution and really nothing more. It had the foundation to be a good horror film. Better acting and direction is really all it needed, which isn't too much. I won't even dare think a remake would do the name justice. It's a real good possibility a remake would only make it worse. This dog was put to sleep more than twenty years ago. I think it should stay in its grave.

Pros:
-Decent gore, funny dialogue...

Cons:
-...yet crude at the same time, very bad acting, very repetitive story related elements

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FM_ALEX October 10, 2011

I know you know what I going to say, yes indeed I do like this one. Not sure if it is classic though, I need to re-watch.

Madpenguin October 10, 2011

I kind of had a feeling you would dig this. But I find it so lacking.

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woopak_the_thrill October 08, 2011

I agree wholeheartedly. I seemed to have grown over the 'gore makes a movie' thing these days that I require more elements than that to make a horror movie.

Madpenguin October 08, 2011

It sometimes boggle my mind on how some folks are so easily pleased, and everything from decades long gone achieves the title cult classic. It seriously annoys me to be honest.

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