Okay, I'll admit right off that the writing and some of the acting really sucked in this film. But, despite all this, the movie STILL is pretty entertaining--particularly if you look at it for its camp value! The film begins with Mat Stevens (there are multiple different spellings of his name in the film) and his gang of leather jacket-clad semi-thugs walking about school like they own the place. It's obvious they are tough and violent--even though, for the most part, they never get around to being very violent. On top of that, Mat turns out to be a very spoiled jerk...who has a heart that bleeds!!! Yes, it turns out that he's a sad and lonely jerk because his rich parents have pretty much dumped him. He's lonely and hurtin' inside--and cries when no one is around to see it! Yet, when he's around the kids at school, he's tough, self-assured and a real butt-head! Now you never really feel sorry for him despite the pathos--as he really is a vile (and wimpy) young man. Seeing just how vile he can be, though, it pretty cool--and fun to watch.
This is a cheap film designed to warn parents and kids about the dangers of juvenile delinquents. However, it all seems so sanitized and silly today that you can't help but laugh a bit. As I mentioned above, my favorite scenes consist of Mat kicking and screaming and crying in bed because he wants his mummy and daddy!! Weird but funny...and oddly, a bit like John Waters' "Cry Baby"...a very, very bad version of "Cry Baby"!
This is a cheap film designed to warn parents and kids about the dangers of juvenile delinquents. However, it all seems so sanitized and silly today that you can't help but laugh a bit. As I mentioned above, my favorite scenes consist of Mat kicking and screaming and crying in bed because he wants his mummy and daddy!! Weird but funny...and oddly, a bit like John Waters' "Cry Baby"...a very, very bad version of "Cry Baby"!