The New Kids (1985) ★★★
A curious film from Sean S. Cunningham, one which toys with the idea of becoming a Savage Streets-style revenge film but instead pulls its punches. The violence and assaults hint at discomforting nastiness, but never quite delivers on that threat.
Instead, what we have is what seems to be a commentary on the difference between the 'civilised' teenagers from an affluent upbringing with borderline savagery from those from a small town in rural Florida.
The film is notable for James Spader and Eric Stoltz appearing in the early roles (it was Spader's second film), and because Tom Atkins is prominently billed in its opening but probably has a total of two minutes screen time.
It's not a great film, though not a terrible one either. It was one I watched and felt shortchanged as if it was toned down for a more lenient rating – it is a 15 certificate in the UK and rated R in the US – and I think if it was nastier, with antagonists who were truly despicable and psychopathic or homicidal, then it would have been more suspenseful, tense, and a more compelling watch.
It's not bad, just a missed opportunity.
|