Maniac Cop Review

Maniac Cop

Director: William Lustig
Stars: Bruce Campbell, Tom Atkins, Robert Z'Dar, Laurene Landon, William Smith, Richard Roundtree, Sharee North and Victoria Catlin.
Running Time: 85 Mins
Release: 13 May 1988

In New York a rouge policeman (Z'Dar) is killing innocent people for no apparent reason. He sets up a fellow officer Jack Forest (Campbell) by killing his estranged wife Ellen Forrest (Catlin) and Jack is instantly arrested for suspicion of her murder. Meanwhile Detective Frank McCrae believes Jack is innocent and that it's another policeman. The race is on to stop the Maniac Cop before he kills again.

I have to say this is the most subtle role that I have seen Campbell ever play. It makes a great far departure from the role of Ash (it's still a fantastic role). I was surprised by how little screen time he gets in film. He is a likeable lead. He's very brave, determined, smart and sympathetic. Like many of his other roles he get's thrown around a lot. It's a great role for him.

The real star of the show though is the superb Tom Atkins who plays Detective Frank McCrae. He plays him with such aplomb and heart. He's wizened, intelligent, weary, cynical and a maverick. One of my favourite on screen cops. I am surprised he got more screen time than Campbell so you would think he's the leading man. He stole every single scene he was in and is my favourite character in this film. 
 

After watching the film I watched the interview Doomed Detective: Tom Atkins on Maniac Cop which is the best interview that I have seen and I am very pleased that Arrow put the interview on the disc. I'm a real fan of Tom Atkins now after watching the interview he's so genuine , kind and honest and I love how he just calls himself 'an old actor from Pittsburgh'. It was great to know more about him and his favourite film he's been in; Night of The Creeps. 
 

Which I have recently seen and Atkins is outstanding in. It's the best b-movie that I have ever seen and it whole heartedly deserves a Arrow Video release it's criminal how it's not been released here in the UK yet.

Robert Z'Dar plays The Maniac Cop. It's a mostly a silent role and he plays him with real menace. What I really love about the character is that we don't see him properly till into the final third of the film. He's given a backstory that is revealed later on the film which makes him somewhat sympathetic. I was not entirely expecting that to be honest with you. He has some great kills in this film. He's a great slasher killer who's rather underrated. I should say he's got a much bigger chin than Campbell.

Laurene Landon plays Theresa Malloroy a fellow cop who is also Jack's mistress. She is one of the very few people that believe Jack. It's a real scream queen role and she's fantastic in this film.

William Smith who is a very prolific actors plays Captain Ripley he's only In a few scenes but he's great in them. He has a real commanding presence. I recognise him from Rumble Fish.

Richard Roundtree plays Commissioner Pike who's a very well known actor. He has a rather small role in this film and he shares a great scene with Atkins early on in the film.

Sharee North plays Sally Noland a police officer who has a very bad leg. Her role is small but a pivotal and something I was not expecting. She's a brilliant actress and was fantastic in all her scenes.

Victoria Catlin plays Ellen Forrest. She catches Jack out for his cheating and in that scene she's fantastic. Actually she's brilliant in all her scenes and I am surprised that she's not done much afterwards.

Also I should add Sam Rami has a small role in this film which I was not expecting though I know he pops up in various films with his collaborators Bruce Campbell and The Coen Brothers.

Jay Chattaway did the score for this film and it's incredibly 80's and I absolutely love it. It suits the film perfectly especially the flash back scene and the chase scene towards the end of the film. Lustig has done a tremendous job filming Maniac Cop there's some fantastic shots in this. I love the intro credits scene, the car stop scene and to say anymore would spoil it. Though I do love how Lustig shot the Maniac Cop himself and kept his appearance hidden for most of the film. I know it's meant to be set in New York though clearly some scenes are shot in LA though I didn't mind none as it was shot very well.

This film really surprised me with it's story it was something I was not expecting. Especially how Larry Cohen (the writer) added the theme of paranoia into the film which added some realism to the film. I really do love this film and it's a really good slasher film and it blends elements of a police thriller perfectly.