Chopping Mall (1986)
Directed by Jim Wynorski
Killer Robots, a common place in SCIFI and Horror, many have done it, few do it right. The Terminator is amazing, we all know that, Deadly Friend was fuckin weird, not as many know that, but how is Chopping Mall? Is it good? Why in the hell is it called chopping mall when theres no chopping? Let’s find out.
Chopping mall is about a group of young people partying in a furniture store after hours in a mall. Meanwhile the new robot security guards are keeping patrol. The robots quickly malfunction and start killing off all the people. It is a basic slasher story honestly, but is this a slasher movie? Eh not really. I would consider this a technology gone amok movie. The remaining members now have to band together and survive.
The acting is fairly decent for an 80s B movie. We get some 80s trash mainstays like Kelli Maroney and Barbara Crampton, so its nice to look at, at least right? The two are rather likeable and Kelli Maroney plays the “final girl” in the film. She’s charming enough to keep you entertained, she’s also a rather resourceful character. She’s smart, pretty and tough enough to take control, which is everything you want in a horror lead. The other characters are ok, no one really too noteworthy, many are there for a body count. The robots are pretty cool, they look like big bulk R.O.B. clones from the old NES system.
Special effects are a pretty memorable in this movie, especially the meme worthy Suzee Slater head explosion, that one never gets old. The robots have a wide array of weaponry to use, including lasers, of course. While the robots may look dated by today’s standard they are rather believable and control pretty well. Its that cool design of 80s futuristic looks, its charming and fun. We get a fair amount of electrocutions, explosions, and laser blasts to entertain anyone. The movie was originally named “Killbots” and a stage hand suggested calling it “Chopping Mall” so the name was changed, even though theres no chopping involved lol.
If you like robot movies, or just 80s b movies this is one you have to watch. I have seen this a few times and it is always fun. The intense head explosion is one of the greatest of all time. I give Chopping Mall a B+ it is a lot of fun but not a movie I go out of my way to watch that often.
