By Melissa Antoinette Garza
James Spader is one of my favorite actors. He was in so many movies that got me thru many a dateless night in high-school……college…. and…… so on. I enjoy him so much that roughly a decade ago I hosted a SpaderVasion party where strictly James Spader movies were to be shown. Everyone was cool until we got to CRASH (1996). Then they decided to throw on THE WARRIORS (1979). They had enough of Spader. There’s no accounting for taste! CRASH is a great flick.
Before the night devolved into David Cronenberg territory, I did get a room of about a dozen drunk folks to enjoy TUFF TURF (1985), WHITE PALACE (1990) and THE NEW KIDS (1985). James Spader brings people together….until he starts sexing up open wounds. Then, some people freak out – vanilla bastards!
In THE NEW KIDS, James Spader is a very bad boy who is obscenely cruel to the female protagonist portrayed by Lori Loughlin. What would Uncle Jesse say?
The movie opens with siblings Loren (Shannon Presby) and Abby (Lori Loughlin) moving in with their Aunt Fay (Lucy Martin) and Uncle Charlie (Eddie Jones) after tragedy wipes out both folks. When not in school, they help their new guardians take care of the gas station and amusement park they own.
Abby is a pretty confident teen with a good head on her shoulders considering the shit she’s been thru. She’s instantly attracted to this geeky kid Mark (Eric Stoltz).
Meanwhile, Loren notices that some thugs run the school. He’s not impressed and stares them down when they hog the water fountain. He starts hooking up with Karen (Paige Price) who is the daughter of the town Sheriff (Court Miller).
The gang meanwhile has not only noticed Loren, but also Abby. They make a bet as to who could bed her first. Gideon (John Philbin) throws down against Dutra (James Spader).
Dutra tries to win the bet and win Abby over with a little Ted Bundy charm. He brings his red van by the gas station and while she pumps, he asks her to a dance. She declines. He doesn’t take it well. There are clear red flags especially when he tells her, “I’ll show you crazy.…” but being that the character is portrayed by James Spader, my Lady Willpower is gone and I’d be driving right towards Murderedville USA.
After Dutra strikes out Gideon attempts to win the bet, but gets nowhere quick with Abby. Poor Abby she just wants to hang out with innocuous, nice boy Mark and the gang-bangers spit on her and harass her and eventually try to rape her. They are horrible dudes!
The movie culminates at the amusement park and gas station where Dutra and friends start a fight to the death.
I love this movie. It’s quirky and dark. The tone is like a teen drama, but there is a bit of edge there. The acting sells it from jump.
Lori Loughlin portrays the everyday nice girl wonderfully. She’s innocent enough to be the damsel-in-distress (which is the catalyst for the conclusion) but capable enough to be a threat on her own.
Shannon Presby gives a great performance as the protective older brother who wants to help everyone. He’s plays Loren as a sincere kid trying to find his place as both a son to his uncle and a patriarch trying to pull his own weight.
I love Eric Stoltz in this. He’s so versatile. Sometimes I’ll watch this back-to-back with THE PROPHECY (1995) just to see how different the characters walk, talk and move from one another. It’s such a craft with him.
Lastly, there’s James Spader! He brings a whirlwind of passion to every role he’s in. I know Dutra is horrible. He’s a really awful guy, but Spader brings so much charisma and heat to the dialogue that I’m taken. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t find him delicious. Still, I know – bad bad bad guy, but played by someone devastatingly yummy.
Grab this one while it’s on AMAZON PRIME. I own this and I suggest you do to, but in the interim watch it for free if you have the subscription.
Scared Stiff Rating: 8/10
