I finally finished watching a "classic" from director Lucio Fulci called, THE NEW YORK RIPPER. I say finally, because it took me about 3 sittings to watch this film. I would get about 30 minutes into it, and then fall asleep....not a good sign for this film. Before I get more in depth, let me start by giving you the plot:A blade-wielding psychopath is on the loose, turning The Big Apple bright red with the blood of beautiful young women. As NYPD detectives follow the trail of butchery from the decks of the Staten Island Ferry to the sex shows of Times Square, each brutal murder becomes a sadistic taunt. In the city that never sleeps, he's the killer that can't be stopped!
Ok, sound good enough, and the kill scenes are great, the problem is the parts in between is just so slow and boring. Lots of bad dialog, and some very bad acting. My number one complaint, though, would have to be the killers voice. See, the killer talked like a duck. That's right, a duck. You really can't take a killer seriously when it sounds like Donald Duck is threatening you.
The movie did have some bright spots, though....like the very beginning when a man is playing fetch with his dog down by the river. He throws the stick behind some bushes and when the dog comes back, he has retrieved not the stick, but a severed and rotted human hand! Also, there was a very good use of lighting and colors in the film, almost to the point of looking like a Dario Argento film. And, as stated before, most of the kill scenes are good with good amount of gore for those of us who like that sort of thing!
The movie did have some bright spots, though....like the very beginning when a man is playing fetch with his dog down by the river. He throws the stick behind some bushes and when the dog comes back, he has retrieved not the stick, but a severed and rotted human hand! Also, there was a very good use of lighting and colors in the film, almost to the point of looking like a Dario Argento film. And, as stated before, most of the kill scenes are good with good amount of gore for those of us who like that sort of thing!
I know not everyone will agree with me and my displeasure for this film, in fact, click HERE to check out Dr. Gore' review of THE NEW YORK RIPPER over at his site, Dr. Gore's Movie Reviews. He gave it a 4/4 and deemed it a "must-see". To each their own! I hope you like this movie better than I did. This is the first Fulci movie that really let me down. The tag line for the film didn't help any..."The Most Controversial Horror Film Ever Made". Sorry, but I don't think this comes close to being the most controversial horror film every made. I think that distinction probably goes to 1980's Cannibal Holocaust, or a number of underground Japanese films I have seen.
CLICK HERE to check out the trailer for THE NEW YORK RIPPER and then tell me what you think if you have seen this film. Was it as bad as I think it was, or am I missing something? Discuss!
Its not the most controversial, but it tries to be, specially with its graphic violence towards women. Not Fulcis best in my opinion, its sleazier then your average Fulci flick. But its certainly watchable.
ReplyDeleteIf this is the first Fulci flick to let you down, its probably cause you havent seen the gloriously cheesy Conquest! Or Cat in the Brain which was also a let down for me.
IF you are interested, check out my review for both of the right here:
http://filmconnoisseur.blogspot.com/search/label/Lucio%20Fulci
I have not seen CONQUEST, but I did see CAT IN THE BRAIN and enjoyed it much more than this one. I think I just couldn't get over the killer talking like a duck!! ha
ReplyDeleteI've not seen this, but am very aware of it. It usually gets a mention when there is a discussion about misogyny in horror.
ReplyDeleteTo be honest I haven't really seen very many of Fulci's films - though I watched House by the Cemetary recently and quite liked it. VERY creepy.