With horror industry heavy hitters already in place from the 1970s, the 1980s built upon that with the rise of brilliant minds in makeup and effects artists, as well as advances in technology. Artists like Rick Baker, Rob Bottin, Alec Gillis, Tom Woodruff Jr., Tom Savini, Stan Winston, and countless other artists delivered groundbreaking, mind-blowing practical effects that ushered in the pre-CGI Golden Age of Cinema. Which meant a glorious glut of creatures in horror. More than just a technical marvel, the creatures on display in ‘80s horror meant tangible texture that still holds up decades later. From grotesque slimy skin to brutal transformation sequences, there wasn’t anything the artists couldn’t create. It Came From the ‘80s is a series that will pay homage to the monstrous, deadly, and often slimy creatures that made the ‘80s such a fantastic decade in horror.
If you were to look at the poster or cover art of Chopping Mall, you’d likely expect some undead maniac hacking away at unsuspecting shoppers. While it is a mall-set slasher, it’s not an undead or masked maniac responsible for murder; it’s a trio of “Protector” security robots. A bad thunderstorm causes a direct lightning strike, putting the robots on the fritz and making them a deadly problem for the group of 8 mall employees who have decided to stay after hours to party and have sex.
Producer Julie Corman (The Nest, Brain Dead) had a deal with Vestron to create a horror movie set in a mall. Jim Wynorski agreed to pen the screenplay if he could also direct the feature, and it was his idea to feature robots. He drew inspiration from the 1954 movie Gog for both the design of the robots and the script. Wynorski even voiced the robots. Or Killbots, rather, which was the title the film was first released under before being replaced with Chopping Mall.
As for the Killbots creation and special effects, the credit goes to effects maestro Robert Short (Legion TV Series, Beetlejuice – which earned him an Oscar for Best Makeup). Short created remote-controlled Killbots that operated surprisingly well, and look great in the action. From a distance when they’re on the prowl, at least. It’s clear in close-up shots that the robots weren’t as articulate with the more intricate claw movement. Even still, it’s a minor detail that doesn’t take away from the impressive effects or the sheer level of fun. Also, Short had a contingency plan in case he ran into issues with the remote-controlled version – a person in a robot suit. But it was smooth sailing, luckily.
While the Killbots are the star, with their “Have a Nice Day!” politeness as they viciously dispatch their victims, the cast is just as fun. Paul Bartel and Mary Woronov reprise their Eating Raoul characters in a minor but hysterical cameo. Then there’s Gerritt Graham (Phantom of the Paradise, C.H.U.D. II: Bud the C.H.U.D., Child’s Play 2) as an early victim of the Protector robots. And of course, Dick Miller steals his scene as a custodian electrocuted by an overzealous Protector.
As for the main group targeted, it’s clear right away who the final girl will be in good girl Allison Parks (Night of the Comet’s Kelli Maroney), and she happens to have formidable survival instincts as well. There’s horror vet Barbara Crampton as Suzie, Allison’s coworker at the mall’s diner (that’s also adorned with Corman production movie posters), and Friday the 13th Part 2’s Russell Todd as Rick. Save for the final girl and her love interest, it’s unpredictable who dies next and how gruesome it might be. It helps that any drama between the group is quickly squashed with funny lines like, “It’s not you, Ferdy. I’m just not used to be chased around a mall in the middle of the night by killer robots.”
Chopping Mall is effortlessly entertaining. It’s easy to see why this became a cult hit over the decades. The cast is clearly having a blast, the killer robot angle feels fresh, and the mall setting (it was filmed after hours in Sherman Oaks Galleria) is an ‘80s time capsule- Glendale, California based store Licorice Pizza was sold to Musicland Group the same year Chopping Mall was released, so its existence is immortalized here in a small way. I’d be remiss not to mention the high energy earworm score by Chuck Cirino, too. There’s no shortage of amusement from this happy, comfort food cult classic. Have a nice day!
