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Trashploitation – The Legend of Billie Jean (Review)

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Director – Matthew Robbins (Dragonslayer, *batteries not included)
Starring – Helen Slater (Supergirl, Supernatural), Keith Gordon (Christine, Dexter), and Christian Slater (Tales from the Darkside, Twisted)
Release Date -1985
Rating – 3.5/5

Tagline(s) – “When you’re seventeen, people think they can do anything to you. Billie Jean is about to prove them wrong.” and “The last thing she ever expected was to become a hero.”

Every decade has a style about them that sets their films apart from the others.  The 60s saw the rise of films that went against the grain and proudly showcased the counter-culture of the time. The 70s took that foundation layed in the 60s and expanded it.  Films were sexier, sleazier, and riddled with pop culture of the time where the films from decades prior were not.

We then hit the 80s where technology and pop culture of that decade is piled waist deep in every film.  That is why films from the 80s will always be my favorite.  I love the soundtracks, the graphics, the film’s artwork, the clothing and hairstyles, and the lingo. Films from this decade really are like opening a time capsule and fills the room with nostalgia.

Recently, Mill Creek Entertainment released the perfectly 80s film The Legend of Billie Jean.  I had never seen this film so I reached out to them for a review copy and they kindly sent one my way.

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**Spoiler Alert**The film follows siblings Billie Jean (Helen Slater) and Binx (Christian Slater).  The two live in a trailer park with their mother.  The two are loving sibling and the only thing Binx loves more than his sister is his scooter.  The two are often criticized by the others because they live in the trailer park.  One day the two go out to get gas for the scooter and run into a couple douchbags.

Binx tricks them and throws a milkshake on their car.  He drives off and the two decide to go swimming.  Moments later the douchbags show up and steal his scooter.  Binx is heart broken and they turn to the police for help only to be shoved to the side.  The next day Binx does get his scooter back but it is severely damaged.  Billie Jean takes it to a garage to get an estimate and then takes that estimate to the douchbage and his father.

His father takes Billie Jean to another room and offers her a proposition; a little tail for the repair costs.  While he is trying to convince her to jump his old bone Binx enters the store and finds the old man’s gun.  Billie turns down his advancements and leaves the room with him following after to find Binx holding the gun.  They argue for a few moments and Binx accidentally shoots him in the arm.  The group of teens flee as the police is called.  They leave town in hopes of hiding out until everything blows over but that does not happen.

The news turns Billie Jean into a martyr and she becomes a voice for those that are mistreated and ridiculed.  This inspired Billie Jean to make the old man pay because “fair is fair.”  Billie Jean then ‘kidnaps” the son of a high ranking city official to force the police into listening to her demands and that is when things spiral out of control!**Spoiler Alert**

When I put in an 80s film I prepare myself for the time traveling adventure I am about to embark upon. The Legend of Billie Jean is beautifully 80s and embodies all the cliches, looks, and feel that I have come to love about that decade.

The acting in this film is solid by the entire cast.  They all took their roles to heart and it really shows.  Sadly, I know the cast can, and has, done a better job in other films and that is a bit of a let down.  The acting was good but I know it could have been better.  The story is fun, inspiring, and a true product of the time.  It has a story that reaches out to the youth of the 80s and is written in such a way that every age can really enjoy it.  This is truly a film for every age.

Finally, the film does not have any real special or visual effects.  Instead, this film relies on great story telling and solid acting to get the point across.  Overall, The Legend of Billie Jean is a real forgotten classic.  Fans of 80s cinema really needs to check this one out!

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Blacktooth

(Staff Writer) Lover of all things horror and metal. Also likes boobs and booze.

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