Wimpy persecuted adolescent nerd Hoax (a sound and sympathetic performance by Stephen Geoffreys) gets connected to a powerful satanic force over the phone that enables him to exact a harsh revenge on all of his tormentors. Director Robert Englund, working from a derivative, but serviceable script by Rhet Topham and Brian Helgeland, relates the engrossing story at a steady pace, creates and sustains a pleasingly spooky atmosphere, delivers a satisfying smattering of splatter, takes time to develop the well-drawn characters in the first half before pulling out the thrilling stops for the more lively and eventful second half, and further spruces things up with a wickedly funny sense of pitch-black humor. The solid acting from the competent cast rates as another substantial asset: Pat O'Bryan makes for an appealingly scruffy punk anti-hero as Hoax's surly cousin Spike, Jim Metzler contributes a likable turn as meddlesome journalist Marty Palmer, Sandy Dennis almost steals the whole show with her marvelously flaky portrayal of Hoax's domineering and overprotective religious kook mother Aunt Lucy, the foxy Lezlie Deane burns up the screen as sassy and sexy bad girl Suzie, and J.J. Cohen jerks it up nicely as mean head bully Marcus. Robert Picardo has a regrettably small, yet sill nifty role as the sinister Mark Dark. Paul Elliot's stylish cinematography gives the picture a gnarly'n'funky garish look. The shivery score by Thomas Chase and Steve Rucker hits the moody'n'brooding spot.The special effects are pretty cheap and shoddy, but overall acceptable. An enormously fun fright flick.
Review of 976-EVIL
