MovieChat Forums > Final Exam (1981) Discussion > A neglected classic; people's hatred for...

A neglected classic; people's hatred for it is beyond me

posted 10 years ago by Mr_Ectoplasma
16 replies | jump to latest

And I've only just recently seen it for the first time. A lot of people talk smack on this movie, which I honestly don't understand— I bought the Blu-ray on a blind buy and was surprised at how subtle, spooky, and totally atmospheric this movie was. So why so much hate? Is it just because of the lack of killer motive? Not that much gore? I really just don't understand people's beef with this film. There are so many brilliant sequences and the empty campus setting they captured is scary enough on its own. It ranks up there with Just Before Dawn as "forgotten classics" for me.

[–] 10 years ago

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[–] davannacarter 10 years ago

Maybe the hate comes from the fact that after the opening killings nothing happens for the next 60 minutes: no character development; no interesting subplots; no great dialogue; no tension; no suspense; no cool music; no interesting story; nothing. The only memorable part for me was the blonde's nudity. Other than that this was a waste of time.

[–] Mr_Ectoplasma 10 years ago

Plenty "happens", though a lot of it is routine I guess— but I think that's part of why I like it. It just feels like you're watching a bunch of college students go through their day, and there's something charming about that. It's a really atmospheric film as well, and the characters felt genuine to me.

[–] 10 years ago

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[–] mista005 10 years ago

The dialogue and acting are so piss poor that I just kept rolling my eyes. That, plus nothing happens for an hour. Naturalism is one thing, and can be interesting, but this wasn't natural, it was just amateur.

[–] Mr_Ectoplasma 10 years ago

Bad acting is par for the course in '80s slasher movies though, and I really didn't think the acting in this was bad at all by those standards. Aside from the acting, it's a super atmospheric film.

[–] lianzantoro 10 years ago

Final Exam is my favorite 80's slasher.
The old college where it was shot at gives it awesome atmosphere. Wildman and Radish are much more memorable characters than you'd find in most of these low budget slashers. Courtney is a very likeable protagonist. She comes across as so genuine.

I do understand why it gets a lot hate though. If one goes into it expecting lots of sex and gore and nudity, they'll be disappointed. Not that I have anything against that kind of stuff. My second favorite 80's slasher is Pieces.

[–] Mr_Ectoplasma 10 years ago

You basically described all the reasons I like it. I think it mostly has to do with the campus it's set at, and the characters. It's not a body count flick with excessive gore or gratuitous sex scenes, but it's an extremely unusual and glossy slasher film.

[–] shred-com 10 years ago

SO underrated.

[–] rlehlinger 9 years ago

I agree with you, I love this movie. The tone, the mood, the lighting, and more especially the Music. Everything about this movie is just down right creepy. Seems to me the people who don't like it just want a mask and gore off the top- well as much as I love those movies too- that doesn't make everything. Just look at John Carpenter's "Halloween"

[–] MajDutch 9 years ago

Very atmospheric movie, I loved it too!

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[–] Legion_89 9 years ago

I liked it; its not memorable or anything, but its a fun, early 80's slasher. I think its pretty underrated as well.

"Martyr me for Cordis Die."