CHOPPING MALL (1986)

Directed By: Jim Wynorski 
Written By: Jim Wynorski & Steve Mitchell 
Cinematography By: Tom Richmond 
Editor: Leslie Rosenthal 

Cast: Kelli Maroney, Tony O’Dell, Russell Todd, Karrie Emerson, Barbara Crampton, Paul Bartel, Dick Miller, Gerrit Graham, Mary Wornov 


A group of teenagers that work at the mall all get together for a late night party in one of the stores. When the mall goes on lock down before they can get out, The robot security system activates after a malfunction and goes on a killing spree. One by one the three bots try to rid the mall of the "Intruders". The only weapons the kids can use are the supplies in other stores. Or...if they can make it till morning when the mall opens back up


This even seems like it was outdated at the time it was released. Obviously done more in cheek and made to be cheesy. with Cameos and small roles for recognizable character actors adds to the fun of this ridiculous movie. That seems to be more unintentionally funny at times. Though then again the title is CHOPPING MALL. So you can imagine the intended audience and no one I am sure was meant to take this seriously. As it plays more like a cheap B-movie

The film is vicious But lacks gore and never comes close to the depravity in the poster that the film send to produce and plays more like a sci-fi tinged slasher film with an obvious non-human literal killing machines. The original title KILLBOTS would have been perfect but too on the nose.

This is a film. I will admit I have wanted to see since I was about 12. Because of the title and for one of the actors who was on a popular television show at the time HEAD OF THE CLASS, playing one of the leads in this film. Tony O'dell I can admit to either forgetting it being scared Due to the poster, Which kept me from watching this film Over the years. It seemed so gratuitous and nasty. Though it never comes close to what is advertised except maybe for one scene that involves an exploding head.

Watching this film for me was finally scratching off a film I had always wanted to watch and heard about over the years of course it can never make up the expectations I had placed on it. Though for the most part this film is stupid. As while it introduces lasers it also has robots shooting the lasers only. No civilians get to use them to fight back.

The women seem to be here to only be victims and damsels in distress. Though at least a female character get to fire one of the most needed shots to destroy one of the KILLBOTS.

As with plenty of 80's teen horror films. It does dip into the exploitive with a heavy emphasis on the middle of the film devoted to sex and some nudity.

That the teen characters know so much about weapons is questionable, I am guessing that Midwestern upbringing makes the teenagers familiar with Weapons but with his film. It is hardly surprising as nothing can really be taken seriously or seem off limits. As cheesy as it is. The film is not only a time capsule but in some scenes it almost feels like a spoof of the films of that type during the era. It certainly has the production values of a spoof.

At least one of the female characters seems so annoying with her endless screaming when not needed that you almost wish for her smile and aren't too upset when it comes. Though here is questionable capacity of the strength of the lasers as some seems to sting and bruise characters. But others actually work like bullets and injure and make characters bleed as well as blow heads off.

The movie was originally theatrically released in March 1986 under its original title, "Killbots." It performed poorly during its initial release. The producers felt the movie's title might have disinterested audiences, who might think based on the original movie poster that it was a "Transformers"-like children's cartoon instead of a violent exploitation movie. After some time, the movie was re-released on video under its new title with over 15 minutes cut.

It's nice to see a movie set in a certain time from the familiar past. As it reminds us of the culture and look of them at the time when they were all the rage and showcases exactly how far we have come. Though as bad as the film is. It seems like it could easily be ripe for a remake that could be better but will wallow in the cheesy or more campy waters. Though still not as classic and cheesy as EVILSPEAK.


Grade: F