Final Exam (1981)

Too much of everything

The film's masterful storytelling did its job. The message was clear. No need to overdo.

It is an exhilarating, distressing, funny and profound film, with one of the more memorable film scores in years,

It really made me laugh, but for some moments I was tearing up because I could relate so much.

FINAL EXAM is one of those sluggish and slow-moving slasher films of the early 1980s that fails sufficiently engage with the subject matter and as such becomes humdrum and below par. Apparently the writer and director decided to go and focus on characterisation over suspense, violence and death, but as the latter are the main things this genre is known for, that wasn't going to achieve much. The film has an annoyingly spoofy feel to it and the characters are pure walking cardboard, without a sympathetic focus among them. Too much time is spent early on with random pranks and misbehaviour so that when the kills finally start happening you just can't take them seriously. I had always intended to buy a physical copy of this movie but never got around to it, so I'm glad I managed to catch Code Red's copy on Amazon Prime instead of wasting my money on it.

Slashers have it easy. Their target audience are among the most forgiving when it comes to actual quality and will take enthusiasm over competence into consideration more so than "real" film lovers. "Final Exam" goes for the "Halloween" (1978) vibe (a low-key piano piece is a dead give away as to inspiration) in that it is light on blood and gore and goes for honest scares and mood. Too bad it's also light on scares but the mood is above average. There's also a novelty in that the killer is clearly seen, never speaks and has no motivation known to the audience. But then one character clearly states that most killers have no motivation and that, in itself, is quite scary. The film has pretty decent actors, most of whom have never been heard from again, and the characters do have some personality. The biggest gripe the film has received is in it's very slow build-up. It's true that "Final Exam" takes it's sweet time until actual mayhem takes place but it goes by pleasantly enough. Photography and lighting is fine and, as said, the film has a certain mood that's undeniable. It's a mood that seems was only attainable in late 70's and early 80's and distinguishes these slashers. "Final Exam", for me, gets better with repeat viewings and it comes recommended; for slasher film fans. But make no mistake; this isn't the cream of the crop but enthusiasts should enjoy it.

College, it's a lonely place, yet you get to make friends, or enemies. Friends you can study, make jokes, or just have fun. For enemies, people who cause harm to others, cross paths with, or even worse, kill. This enemy isn't someone from the college, he's just stalking the students, one by one! This killer made his first strike at another college one night earlier. Killed two students making out in a convertible. During finals at a college, a van pulls out in a parking lot begins firing out at students, then grabbing the ones shot. Random acts of violence is what it looks like, but it turned out to be a fraternity joke instead. The brown van was well known at the college, but a black van appears, and it's a mystery. Who was that man? Whoever he is, he is causing trouble at the college. The hazing was bad enough, but the killer makes the situation scarier than the fraternity's antics. The movie is very subtle. Not very big, but watchable. Good for late night viewing. 2 stars

Take every worn-out cliché about slasher films, scrap up some truly horrible looking and terrible acting "kids", and blatantly steal pivotal scenes from much better done flicks - put them all in a blender and you have "Final Exam". Seriously, the only thing scary about this film are the terrible 80's outfits and even worse hair. The killer is just a killer with no motive, no backstory, nothing! Normally this wouldn't be a problem, but this man has nothing remotely threatening about him. There is ZERO atmosphere, ZERO gore, and ZERO interesting characters. Special Effects do not exist in this film. These are the lamest bunch of kids that make even the most mundane slasher films' cardboard characters look intricate. This movie will try even the most hardcore 80's Slasher Fan's patience.