Diagonaldi Very well executed

Micransix Crappy film

Peereddi I was totally surprised at how great this film.You could feel your paranoia rise as the film went on and as you gradually learned the details of the real situation.

Curapedi I cannot think of one single thing that I would change about this film. The acting is incomparable, the directing deft, and the writing poignantly brilliant.

Discogodfather9622 Exploitation films are my favorite genre. What's not to love? You got all the ingredients that make an entertaining movie, sex, Violence, drug use and sex. All of which are in full force with the cult classic, Class Of 1984. The generically named Lincoln High is the worst school in America, drug use, graffiti from head to toe and even prostitution. The sadistic, violence prone student, Peter Stegman, runs the school with his colorful gang of cronies that look like cast rejects from The Warriors. This school is run like a prison. Enter the naïve new music teacher, Mr. Norris. Norris believes he can reach out to these troublemakers by the power of teaching, something Stegman slowly points out that he doesn't want. When one of Norris prized students is prison shanked in the school cafeteria (a pre Family Ties, Michael J. Fox) and with no help from the facility or law, Norris takes matters into his own hands. Director Mark Lester (Commando) intentions were for this film to be a provocative think piece or "message" movie, now it's simply a fun, throw it on late at night with your friends while drunk… movie, and that's fine by me.

videorama-759-859391 Here's a high school, that's really shocking and scary. That's how I looked at it, when first seeing it, when nearing 14, due to a lot of hearsay. Now a lot of the shock has gone, though still it has some moments that still stay with me, like when last seeing it back in 2010. For teens this would have a more shocking effect on em' as to films like 187. Class of 1984 has a real ugliness about it, directed by a guy who has made his share of low budget, addicted action pics. Violence is high, I repeat, violence is high, some quite disturbing scenes like a arm being sawed off, or more so the mutilation of various animals in a chemistry lab, that drives a devoted and trying teacher (a wonderfully fantastic performance, by Roddy Mcdowell) beyond the edge. Another great performance, noteworthy, is Van Pattern, as the frightening psychotic, head thug Peter Stegman, where beside his ugly and despicable traits, lies a gifted pianist. The movie has a lot of fire and kinetic energy, and goes for continuous shock and pull no punches violence, which really takes place over the heart of the story that really should of be told instead of stringing a lot of ugly scenes together. Basically it's Perry King who isn't bad, as the new music teacher, against Stegman, where the two keep hitting back, making for an absorbing and revenge cheering the good guy on pic, but nothing more. Mark L Lester's films are guilty pleasures, and this is just another guilty delight, by a guy who knows how to make larger than life pics, this indeed, is no exception. Class Of 1984 does a rape scene to, and hats off to the Lisa Langois as the female villainess, and Merrie Lynn Ross, very good, and does us solid as King's raped wife, while also watch for a younger Michael J Fox, so so, as a stabbing victim, whose friend high on drugs, climbed one too many flagpoles. If it's action and violence you want, ala Lester, you'll get it here in this popular 82 vehicle, Van Pattern's brilliant psychotic performance, lingering in your memory for many nights to come.

Theo Robertson Music teacher Andrew Norris is given a teaching assignment at a tough inner city school and it's not long before he becomes a target for a tough gang who rule the school through a reign of fear This begins with a caption saying " unfortunately some of the incidents are based on real life incidents " Considering the setting is 1984 the film hints that it's a forewarning as to what the future may hold in store . There is an element of reality to this and indeed in many areas of America school entrances do have airport style security in case children try to smuggle in shanks and firearms . However this quickly becomes forgotten and jumps in to full blown exploitation territory I missed this when it became a cult hit via home video in the mid 1980s and I get the feeling I would have enjoyed it all those years ago as a teenager . As it stands it's painfully dated with 1980s hairstyles and fashion which I vaguely remember were ridiculous at the time and the years haven't been kind to youth culture It's interesting that Mr Norris is a music teacher because if he was a PE teacher then no matter what the audience would be taking the side of the punks . Norris is a cultured man and being played by Perry King who bares a striking resemblance to Richard Chamberlain so much so you're left thinking he was the producers first choice for the role . As it stands Norris quickly descends in to Charles Bronson type mode as he gamely takes on the punks who go out of their way to ruining the school choir practise . If you look closely you'll notice a young Michael J Fox who has a punchline that surely inspired Alan Partridge In summary this is violent exploitation and the violent elements tend to overwhelm any other points the film may be trying to make . It also from a lack of internal logic such as having metal detectors at the school entrance but the walls of the toilets are sprayed with graffiti . For those who enjoy violent revenge thrillers it is watchable but not much else

jcbutthead86 Class Of 1984 is an excellent Exploitian Action Thriller Drama that is one of the great cult classics ever made and is one of my favorite movies of all time. Although the things about school violence happening in the film was seen as over the top now it has become a frightening reality.Class Of 1984 tells the story about a new music teacher named Andy Norris(Perry King) who has just transfered to Lincoln high to teach music. While there,Norris sees students go through metal detectors and being searched by security something Andy has never seen before. A fellow teacher named Terry Corrigan(Roddy McDowall) tells Andy if he wants to survive has to look the other way. When Andy gets to his music class he now has to deal with Peter Stegman(Tim Van Patten) and his gang of misfits who run the school. When Andy tries tell the police and school officials with no luck, Andy must deal with Peter Stegman and his gang in a violent cat and mouse game leading up to a violent conclusion.Class Of 1984 is an amazing film from beginning to end because while there are things in the film that are over the top, the film is just as relevant as it was back in 1982. Director Mark L. Lester made this film because he wanted this movie to be a warning about what would happen if teenagers and High School violence wasn't handled. Unfortunately,no one listen to Lester's warning. Lester's film greatly depicts High Schools and teenage society falling apart where violence and drugs have become the norm. High School in this film is depicted as a dangerous and scary place where there is graffiti all over the walls and the place is a war zone filled with gangs and many levels of tension. Teenagers in Class of 1984 of are violent and uncontrollable and the adults who are authority figures can't do anything about it. The teenagers can and will get away with anything and everything whether it be using drugs, violence,sexual assault or even death. Lester I think saw what was coming in the near future,but hundred times worse than depicted in this film. Peter Stegman knows this and uses it to his advantage against Mr. Norris. Mr. Norris tries to tell the principal and the police,but can't do anything about it. Stegman twists the truth around where everything is Mr. Norris' fault. In Class Of 1984,Stegman rules the school and he is the future of society and no one was going to stop him. I think the film is asking us this question:How does a person stop violence and chaos without resorting to violence and chaos himself? This question definitely applies to Andy Norris who probably asks himself that question throughout the film and that's one of the great things about Class Of 1984 and where it rises above the typical B-Movie exploitation film. Andy Norris is a character we can relate to and identify with because as the violence and danger keeps going on Andy questions his own morality and safety while trying to protect his wife and other students and with violence in the air testing his courage and survival. The character Peter Stegman is a great villain because while he is a gang leader he's not your typical thug he's smart,dangerous and can and will manipulate people whenever he can and those combinations make Peter dangerous to Mr. Norris and the other students. Some of the wild violence in the film maybe over the top,but,some of the violence in the film is happening today and is true. The School violence in this film is very dangerous and extreme and predates the school violence and shootings we see today(i.e Columbine)and one of the great ironic things about this film is that the teen villains don't use any guns,but use knifes,sticks and chains,but this was a dark and eerie foreshadowing to a frightening future and is one of the reasons Class Of 1984 holds up well and is relevant. The ending of the film is great and powerful because of it's grim and dark brutality and viciousness. It's ending that matches the tone of the rest of the film and is a unforgettable conclusion.Perry King does a brilliant job as Andy Norris,a new music teacher,with King bringing depth and intensity to the role and having great scenes with Van Patten. Tim Van Patten does a excellent job as antagonist Peter Stegman,who in my opinion is one of the best villains in movie history. Van Patten is scary, frightening,dangerous,and is just very believable. Roddy McDowall is great as biology teacher Terry Corrigan who is cynical and looks the other way. Mcdowall's scene when he is "teaching" his students is one of the best scenes in the film and McDowall is amazing. Michael J. Fox does a wonderful job as Arthur the class joker,with Fox bringing depth and humor to the role. Merrie Lynn Ross does a good job as Andy's wife Diane who is always supportive of Andy. Stefan Arngrim(Drugstore),Keith Knight(Barnyard),Lisa Langlois(Patsy)and Neil Clifford(Fallon)give fantastic performances as Stegman's gang. Al Waxman(Detective Stewski),Erin Flannery(Deenen)and David Gardner(Principal Morganthau)give good performances as well. Mark L. Lester does a great job with the direction in this film,never slowing the camera down and moving it at all costs with zooms,close-ups and giving the film a sense of dread. Lester also does well with the fight scenes and violence and keeps the film moving at a tight,fast pace.The score by Lalo Schifrin(Mission Impossiable TV series) is great and adds to the films greatness. The theme song I am the Future by Alice Cooper is amazing and unforgettable and you'll be singing during and after the movie.In final word,if you love Thrillers,Teen Films and Exploitation Films,you'll love Class Of 1984 an excellent film and a great Cult Classic that will stand the test of time and will stay with you after you watch it. Highly Recommended. 10/10.