Maniac Cop [Blu-ray]

A shadowy Police Officer appears on the street. Wait a minute, make that reappears, because this "boy in blue" was here once before. Once upon a time. He's no longer a "boy in blue", though, he's a "man in blue" now. Wait a minute, make that "BEYOND A MAN in blue".What's got into him? He took on the corruption. Only corruption wasn't going to sit still for that, oh no no no. You think rust is gonna get caught snoozing? Corruption equals money in pockets. Money in pockets equals corruption and is not going to tolerate a Police Officer with big enough uh, handcuffs to put the smack-down on corruption.What happened/happens is for you to find out. This is a Bill Lustig movie, people. The man never pulled a directorial punch in his life. He's down and dirty and mean and friendly and he has a sense of humor but does not suffer fools (I do not know the man even though that might sound like I was talking from experience, so let me go on record as saying that I am just an average schmuck who LOVES EVERY MOMENT HE HAS PROVIDED HIS VIEWING PUBLIC ON CELLULOID).Alright, let me compose myself... where was I? Oh yeah, this DVD edition (make sure you place the one from Synapse films in your Amazon shopping cart, or you'll be sorry) carries a running Commentary from Mr. Lustig, some guy named Bruce Campbell, Composer Jay Chattaway (great score, by the way), and the always welcome Larry Cohen (who wrote/produced the film and whose name is - to me - exploitation gold; I can't tell you how many films I knew nothing about but watched just because his name was attached). There are other Special features, too, but if that isn't enough to whet your appetite, then read the other reviews (I did).If I can get back to Bill Lustig for one last increment (is there time? We have five minutes and three hundred words left? Where's my coffee? Ahh, there's that wonderful cup), the man's commentaries that he has graced us with were/are a treasure trove of information regarding the glory days of exploitation film.If possible, and should you be so inclined, check out the commentaries he did for the "adult film" industry-related projects he was involved in ("Sylvia" which he was cinematographer on, and "Violation of Claudia"/"Hot Honey", a 2-on-1 DVD, both of which he directed and feature Nicholas Winding Refn providing support - who knew they were roommates at one time?).It amazes me that some feathers still get ruffled over these, they are tame by today's standards, the major studios have since co-opted many of their ideas, and are a part of film history's HERITAGE. As in FILM-HISTORY-STUDY. And by the way, the "violation" included in the aforementioned title isn't what you are probably thinking, but I'm not gonna spoil it for anyone...all I will say is that the film is a very sly statement on relationships without pounding you over the head while delivering it. Love that Lustig.Sorry for the semi-rant (and no, I'm not done yet), but exploitation films are endlessly fascinating to me, and judging by all the archival releases we have seen appear since the digital age alone, as well as retrospectives in film theaters, I am not alone. Heck, I haven't had time to see Tarantino's last 2 films (I will eventually though, I promise!), but the fact that he celebrates these exploitation gems from our past (including those icky "adult films") makes him especially important to me because HE RECOGNIZES them as LEGITIMATE ENTERTAINMENT.I guess my fear is that we might get dialed back to those dark days when certain politicians worked in unison with (shadowy inside/bright public-image-conscious on the outside) religious groups to put the kibosh on the right to be entertained unless it is controlled by a major that has money to quash and control any edge so they can smooth-a-rooni it into one of their bleak-busters. In other words, corruption!What would the Maniac Cop do?

This Movie is awesome I had my doubts about it that and because it Based on Cop and I have had past Bad Experiences , and don't like or Support police in anyway especially now how the world is and how police treat individuals but that ah side it's Great movie buy it own it, this was back in day in the 80's when they came out with Crazy Awesome Cool Movies that were just so Great !

How would you describe Matt Cordell?? He's no Michael Myers, who can't be put down, but he seems to have some intelligence left in that brain of his. For most zombie movies, I certainly feel that Hollywood doesn't understand what 'undead' means because zombies change by the way they're depicted from movie to movie. Maniac Cop is one of the few movies that give the undead a humanistic approach as he lumbers about, hunting unexpected prey.Most of the same team players who put together The Evil Dead trilogy are represented in this movie one way or another. Watch for cameos from Sam and Ted Raimi, and Bruce Campbell does well as the leading man. Great popcorn flick that packs a punch.

This Larry Cohen flick (produced and scripted by Cohen but directed by William Lustig) is a clever hybrid of THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA story, 1970s and 1980s cop films, and the slasher sub-genre of horror cinema. But instead of an opera house, the venue has expanded to include the entire city of New York, and the wronged antagonist is not a forgotten composer but is, instead, a once-good police officer (hulking actor Robert Z'Dar) who was used as a scapegoat by higher-ups and was subsequently murdered in prison at the hands of thugs. Slasher-film elements come into play when the resurrected cop leaves a trail of corpses in his wake as he heads to city hall to even the score with his former bosses.As is usually the case, Cohen's script is replete with dark tongue-in-cheek humor and palatable helpings of terror and blood. The gags (both the laughing and choking kind) are bolstered by the presence of horror-genre fave Bruce Campbell, he of EVIL DEAD (1981) fame; Tom Atkins, a ubiquitous face in police departments on TV and in the cinema; sexpot Laurene Landon, a Cohen favorite; and the original SHAFT (1971) himself, Richard Roundtree. There are also some delightful cameos from genre regulars like the late George "Buck" Flower, Victoria Catlin (known to genre fans from her role in David Lynch's TV series TWIN PEAKS), Judy Levitt (wife of STAR TREK's Walter Koenig), director William Lustig, and SPIDERMAN (2002) director Sam Raimi.The Special-Edition DVD of MANIAC COP from Synapse is well worth the price of admission. It offers a crisp, rich digital transfer of the film in the original aspect ratio of 1.85:1 (enhanced for 16x9 TVs) with the original Stereo SurroundSound soundtrack (as well as the option of using new Dolby 5.1 or DTS 6.1 soundtracks). Extras include a delightful feature commentary with Larry Cohen, Bruce Campbell, and William Lustig; a new interview with the Maniac Cop himself, Robert Z'Dar; theatrical trailers, including one from France; and much more.MANIAC COP is a must-see for fans of Larry Cohen and slasher-flick fans, and the Synapse DVD will make a nice addition to the film collection of any horror fan.

La disfrute de principio a fin, aunque la escenas exclusivas de la versión de TV salen sobrando.

When old (and by ‘old’ I mean in the eighties!) horror films are discussed, you normally hear about the Friday 13th and Nightmare on Elm Street franchises. Granted, they were the most successful, yet for some reason the unsubtly-titled ‘Maniac Cop’ never really gets a mention. This is surprising for two reasons: the first is that it stars Evil Dead lynchpin Bruce Campbell and, secondly, it’s actually quite good.Okay, so when I say ‘good’ I kind of mean that it’s good if you know what you’re getting. And you should. In the same way as if you watched ‘Snakes on a Plane’ you should know what kind of film you’re about to sit down to. Maniac Cop is a horror, vaguely slasher film, although rather than having an unstoppable brute mercilessly stalking a bunch of over-sexed teens, you have an unstoppable, well, maniac policeman stalking people in a major U.S. city.But, fear not good citizens, for every nut-job with a badge who wants to hack you to pieces for running a red light, there’s an honest cop waiting to solve the mystery (and a mayor who doesn’t want to admit that there’s a problem – kind of like that official in ‘Jaws,’ but we’re dealing with a shark with a truncheon here). So, our decent, law-abiding boy in blue sets out to investigate the strange sightings of a cop out of control. But our hero isn’t Bruce Campbell. He’s also in it, but spends a large portion of the film in a cell. That’s not really a spoiler as it happens almost directly after meeting him. However, he does – as in many cheesy horror films – tend to steal every scene he’s in and the film wouldn’t be half so much fun without him (even if his ‘boomstick’ never makes an appearance.As I mentioned, Maniac Cop never received the attention other – equally B-movie – horror flicks got and perhaps that’s because it’s (if I’m being generous) a little uneven (and if you don’t like the film you’ll probably call it ‘all over the place plot-wise). It’s like it really wants to be taken seriously as a film, yet exhibits no real traits of anything other than a B-movie horror film. Everyone plays it straight and there’s nothing particularly tongue-in-cheek here. The plot has various elements and threads which start heading in one direction, only to go off in another. Like I said, this could be a deliberate attempt to mislead the audience by the writer, or it could just be sloppy writing. We may never know.However, what I do know is that Maniac Cop – for all its numerous faults – is actually quite good fun and well worth a watch if you’re into horror (and Jason-style slasher) films in general. See it quickly before it’s remade for the worse (Evil Dead, I’m looking at you).

Maniac Cop is a passable action/horror movie, but the whole film feels like it's a big missed opportunity. I'm not sure if this is solely down to the mad genius that is Larry Cohen who was heavily involved in this film and wrote the screenplay.Look at what we have on the table:William Lustig director of Maniac ( not to get too confused) returns here as director.Bruce Campbell (Evil Dead movies and all round cool guy)Tom Atkins (80's horror icon and has an uncanny ability to make grown men feel that 'man love'Not to mention there is a cameo by Sam Raimi. So what is wrong with the film?Well Lustig does a pretty good job, however you do feel that he was unable to get the very best outof Campbell and Atkins.The movie is very good in places, but I expected more, it just does not feel like a solid enough movie, and judging by the hype when it was first released well I didn't get it then and I don't get it now.Don't get me wrong, Maniac Cop is certaintly worth your time but don't go into the movie with too much expectations.

Firstly I really enjoyed Maniac Cop. Although the dvd version still resembles a worn out VHS copy I felt it added a touch of grainey authenticity to the proceedings.Whilst there are few surprises the night time locations and the number of B movie veterans make for some icey chills. The story although far fetched is quite original. The film reminded me of a polished video nasty.Also the guy that plays the mayor is excellent. That is if you see all beaurocrats as snivelling wretches which I must do. So thumbs up to Maniac Cop. It wont hold pride of place in many collections but its worth watching.

I saw this straight to video,as the term was known then,when i was a kid.The storyline,no matter how corny it looks on paper,is for horror standards original enough to engage you're imagination.The sight of figure of authority going around slaughtering people like a Charles Bronson in reverse (he kills the good,not the bad) is intriguing.I would recommend this if you're a Bruce Campbell fan,or of low budget horror.However one reason i am marking it down is for the silly continuity errors.A dead cop ,after being stabbed by The Maniac Cop,miraculously manages to roll out of the way of Laurie Landon's character as she throws a chair out of the window!???It's funny too watch but makes the film lapse into self-parody.