Eric Dietz

Wow… one of those movies that’s so bad it’s good… kinda. When you compare it to the two other “teen” movies of 1985, “Pretty In Pink,” and “Weird Science” (also featuring Spader and Downey, Jr., respectively,) it looks like it was made in an inept parallel universe by people who had never met teens. From the bizarre soundtrack (heavy on the New Wave, but let’s throw a piano ballad and a white soul band in for good measure,) to the hilarious fashion (more dangly earrings, headbands, and bandanas than Claire’s Boutique!) it’s a Mess, capital M. Set on the “mean streets” of Sherman Oaks, East-coast prep kid Spader is a fish out of water in a high school where the kids all look about 26. Of course, there’s a “gang” at the school, who look like they were plucked from the cast of “Fame.” Gang leader’s old lady (Kim Richards, who escaped Witch Mountain, only to end up here) is drawn to Steff- I mean Spader- and many odd scenes, ridiculous dialogue, and terrible editing follow. But stay tuned for the big showdown in the giant, well-lit abandoned warehouse that all the kids seem to have access to. And Kim Richards’ hair- gave an extra star just for that.