Chopping Mall: Surprisingly Fun, Even if the Director's a Mystery!

Okay, so I'm on a serious filmography kick lately, tracking directors and their consistent styles. But sometimes you just need something totally mindless and fun, and that's how I ended up watching "Chopping Mall." I'll admit, the fact that I couldn't even pinpoint a director initially was a little off-putting (it's Jim Wynorski, apparently, but he's not exactly a household name for auteurs). I prefer to be following someone for a reason, not just randomly watching stuff. But hey, sometimes a robot rampage through a shopping mall is EXACTLY what the doctor ordered. The premise is gloriously stupid: security robots go haywire after a lightning strike. The special effects are definitely cheesy – like, really cheesy – but that's part of its charm. The laser blasts look like they were ripped straight from an Atari game, and the robots themselves are clunky but menacing enough. And honestly, the cast? They're clearly just there to scream and run, but they do it with gusto. The scene where Barbara Crampton gets her head exploded is... well, it's certainly memorable! I yelped when it happened. Definitely took me by surprise. What I really enjoyed, even with the lack of a distinct directorial vision I usualy look for, was the sheer commitment to the ridiculousness. It knows exactly what kind of film it is, and it embraces it fully. This is not high art, folks. It's a low-budget, schlocky, 80s horror-comedy, and if you’re in the right mood, it genuinely delivers. It's the type of movie you put on with a group of friends and just laugh your way through. Ultimately, "Chopping Mall" isn't going to win any awards for its direction or originality, but it's a surprisingly entertaining ride. It's a perfect example of a film that's "so bad it's good," and sometimes, that's exactly what you need. Now to see if I can connect the dots between this and any other Wynorski flicks... probably not, but I'm intrigued!