Director – Adam Rifkin (Chillerama, Detroit Rock City)
Starring – Robert R. Shafer (Pee-Wee’s Big Holiday, Helen Keller vs. Nightwolves), Barbara Niven (Charmed, Meth Head), and Rod Sweitzer (They Want Dick Dickster, Zombie Infection)
Release Date – 1993
Rating – 3.5/5
Blu Release – 4/5
I like to think I’m well versed in horror. I’ve been a hardcore fan of the genre for about 15 years and a fan for almost 20. Horror has been my life for so long that I don’t know what it’s like to live any other way. With that being said, I think I’ve at least heard of most of the more main stream horror flicks, as well as, those with a decent cult following. However, I am still learning of new films almost daily.
Sometime back my friends over at Vinegar Syndrome released the 1993 horror comedy Psycho Cop Returns on blu. The title reminded me a lot of the classic Maniac Cop but I was still curious to see how it would play out. It was then that I learned that the film was actually a sequel to Psycho Cop. I had never seen the original film and a quick search for it made me realize that I could not afford to see this long out of print flick. I reached out to VS and they were kind enough to hook me up with Psycho Cop Returns. Thanks guys!
**Spoiler Alert**The film follows a group of office workers who plan on having a bachelor party for one of their co-workers after hours in their office building. While discussing the party at a diner before work they accidentally talk too loud and Officer Joe Vickers (Shafer) overhears that they will have drugs and strippers so he follows them back to their place of employment. What they don’t know is that Officer Vickers is a Satanic cop that punishes anyone that breaks the law. He waits outside until nightfall and once the party begins he enters the building with malicious intent in mind.**Spoiler Alert**
I was interested in the film but I did not have high hopes for it. I wanted to see how it played out and if it was anything like Maniac Cop. Other than sharing similar titles and killer gimmicks the film was nothing like it. In fact, I actually liked it a little more. I know I will catch hell for this but I really did enjoy Psycho Cop Returns more than Maniac Cop.
The acting for this one is not the best but it is still fun. The characters in this one are not to be taken seriously and the cast has acted accordingly. Sure, they’re not going to win any awards for their roles but they still made the film fun and brought about a few laughs regardless if it was intentional or not.
The story for this one is similar to most slashers after the mid-80s where the viewer knows who is doing the killing but the victims are without a clue. These can be fun if the kills are great but what made the late 70s and early 80s slashers so much fun was the mystery around the killer. What makes this one so much fun is how much personality is written into the killer. He has some amazing puns and one liners that makes him extremely memorable and enjoyable. If you can’t break the mold at least make the viewer chuckle.
Finally, this one has some pretty entertaining kills. The kills are nothing we haven’t seen before but the one liners and puns that follow them make them all worth sitting through. The effects are great as well which makes this one a well rounded slasher. Overall, Psycho Cop Returns is a great fucking sequel. I’ve never seen the original film but I doubt it is as entertaining as this one. If you like horror comedies and puns then you will want to do yourself a favor and check this one out.
Special Features:
2K Restoration
Commentary
Habeas Corpus – 43 Minute Documentary
Victims of Vickers Featurette
Reversible Artwork
Subtitles
