THE FUNHOUSE

Classic horror director Tobe Hooper delivers another great horror movie that for awhile was mistakenly placed on the video nasties list in confusion with another movie with a similar title. Four teenagers on a double date head for the carnival passing through town although one of them was warned not to because of an incident some time before where two girls were found murdered nearby. While at the carnival one of them has the bright idea to spend the entire night inside the funhouse. They manage to get inside the funhouse and hide until closing. After a little fooling around, they witness the murder of the carnival fortune teller by the owner’s son. When it is realized there are witnesses to the murder both the owner and his son set out to find and kill them. Unfortunately for the four friends they are trapped inside the funhouse and can’t find a way out. Mayhem ensues. The Funhouse is another one of those underappreciated horror films from the early 80s. It’s much more tame than Tobe Hooper’s previous films in that it’s not so intense. It’s not as terrifying as those earlier films either. There are a few good scares, and a lot of creepy moments. The look of "the monster" in the movie is fantastic and sure to freak out a good number of people. The cast does a fine job, particularly Elizabeth Berridge as Amy and Kevin Conway as Funhouse/Conrad Straker. The movie has a fun opening scene obviously inspired by Halloween and Psycho and for the most part remains fun until the end. Once the four teens begin trying to find an escape there were a few moments that dragged, but nothing too boring or sleep inducing. Although not quite up to par with Hooper’s classic Texas Chain Saw Massacre, The Funhouse is a welcome addition to any movie library.

Special Features: Theatrical Trailer