Class of 1984 (Mark L. Lester, 1982)
The future is here. A generational leap from the previous entry as Mark L. Lester realises an eerily prophetic vision of high school life through the eyes of music teacher Mr. Andrew Norris (Perry King). Set two years in the future, our film's protagonist receives a series of lessons in the school of hard knocks. He's transplanted from his idealistic and optimistic perspective into a run-down, graffiti-ridden education centre where CCTV, security guards and walk through metal detectors are the norm. Far fetched predictions in high school life which eventually came true. It doesn't take long when Norris falls afoul of Lincoln High's kingpin of crime Stegman (Tim Van Patten) and his gang of vicious punks, as he is taken to absolute hell by them.
Having a film revolve around the teacher as its main protagonist gives it a necessary perspective, as they sensibley serve as an avatar of reason and maturity, which is completely contrasted by the level of chaos represented by Stegman and his punk thugs. Coming across as a mix of High School Confidential (1958) and Death Wish (1974), Lester's film kills two birds with one stone, as it fulfils both criterias of a juvenile delinquency movie and an all out revenge film. The finished result is a film that both flirts the realms of exploitation and serious drama.
As far as villains go, Stegman is the psychopathic son Krug Stillo always wanted, that Junior could never be. A school bully who makes Norman "Gripper" Stebson look like Lucy Van Pelt. There are a bunch of reasons why Tim Van Patten's character is so enthralling to watch: on one hand, you've got to admire any young entrepreneurial whipper snapper runnin' a criminal empire from a grotty rundown hovel, with punks lining up to see him like he was Vito Corleone; the scene where he's on the old joanna playing like Richard Clayderman, revealing his hidden gift (incidentally, that's an original Van Patten joint), is no recompense for his foul rap sheet; and, it just might be that he's a Nelson Muntz turned up to eleven that makes him such as a memorable manifestation of fear for older generations.
Not all the youts are bad seeds, however: there's Arthur, played by a podgy Michael J. Fox, in one of his earliest film roles; and that clarinet girl who looks like that Elliot Page geezer. They represent the handful of fresh-faced do-gooders, who made the mistake of enrolling at Lincoln High. It's not easy for them either, since shankings seem pretty common. It gets to the point that both the faculty and pupils are surprisingly nonchalant after Arthur got stabbed in the cafeteria riot.
Veteran of The Planet of the Apes franchise Roddy McDowell was cast as deflated science teacher Terry Corrigan, and wound up delivering a stellar performance. The scene where he walks into his science classroom where his beloved lab pets are gruesomely slaughtered is truly heartbreaking. Matter of fact, those were real dead animals from a morgue used for that nightmarish scene; not fake props like one would assume these days. According to a behind the scenes interview with a crew member, the smell was completely unbearable, which no doubt helped with McDowell's horror and disgust. Really tragic stuff seeng a character sink to such a depressing low that he resorts to pulling a handgun on his class in order to get the kids learning. Surprisingly, it seems to work. Who would have known that having a gun aimed at your face would be incentive enough to have the cogs in your brain turning and firing correct answers like Mark Labbett from The Chase? Apparently, writer and director Tom Holland remembered McDowell's performance in this film when his first choice as Peter Vincent for Fright Night (1985), Vincent Price had turned down the role. Winner!
Ultimately, the film is very much focused on confronting the viewer with an increasingly opposing force, before the line can finally be drawn and it's time to push back. Corrigan and Norris are two idealistists who thought they could pass on their knowledge to the next generation, little realising those irredeemable punk kids are the progenitors that would be running rampant in Mad Max's world. They both play a game with loaded dice, since the law and justice are driven here on two very seperate lanes, which leads to both teachers reach a breaking point: Corrigan, with the murder of his beloved pets; Norris, with the gang rape and abduction of his wife. One fails by going insane, while the other fights back for his and wife's very survival.
Lester's filmography is very patchy, much of his resumé consists of him producing some straight-to-video shite, although as a director he has delivered some legitimate gems: his underrated take on Bonnie & Clyde Bobbie Jo and the Outlaw (1976) (Lynda Carter !!!!), Armed and Dangerous (1986) and Showdown in Little Tokyo (1990) are notable highlights. His biggest film however would undoubtedly be the Arnold Schwarzenegger vehicle Commando (1985)- a film with enough testoterone to fuel the eighties action movie scene alone. Lester would go on to helm a non-direct sequel to Class of 1984 with The Terminator inspired Class of 1999 (1990). Nowhere in the same league as its predecessor, but it's entertainingly trashy fun. Pam Grier as a homicidal android teacher is worth your time, if you ask me. However, it doesn't have a villain as good as Peter Stegman, nor does it offer a satisfying build-up and conclusion like its predecessor. Class of 1984 is a great example of the juvenile hell that this blogger loves to death. A cult classic.
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