PopHorror Let's Get Scared
Perhaps the best way to introduce this retro review is to illuminate my love for the ’80s slasher film, a sub-genre where the most iconic horror legends reside or have led to inspiration. These are films with provocative themes that cause critics and philosophers alike to kick around different theories of misogyny and chauvinism. Ultimately sticking to a familiar formula – if you party, have sex, or even show off in any way, you will die by way of knife, ax, or machete. The perfect lesson in sex education! But like most beloved horror fans, I visit these films like old friends within the genre, both for cheer and levity. April Fool’s Day captures that familiar comfort while giving homage to the films within those themes that came before it.
My official synopsis for April Fool’s Day:
It’s spring break and Muffy St. John is throwing the ultimate getaway for her sexy college friends at her parent’s prestigious water front property! Hormones are high and laughter is in abundance, but after the dinner party is over and the pranks have lost their fun, tensions rise and so does the body count. One by one, people drop and a whodunit ensues. Is Muffy the ultimate party host or does she have a terrifying secret? It is, after all….April Fool’s day!
When I first saw this movie seven years ago, I bought it in a DVD combo pack alongside My Bloody Valentine. I had no expectations. I was just eager to see more movies within the slasher genre. I had been working in a parking garage while going to school and ended up watching this film to stay awake. I remember after my first viewing I felt humored, uplifted, and even impressed. It was clear to me that this movie was super self-aware. Like Wes Craven’s Scream, it was almost a nod to itself and all of the films that had tried so hard before it. April Fool’s Day said, “We get it. We are a silly subgroup, but we are going to do what we do AND be funny while we’re at it.”
Within a genre that capitalized on every holiday, director Fred Walton (When A Stranger Calls 1979) took the most obscure one and made it the film’s focus – a symbol for exactly what April Fool’s Day represented. Scriptwriter Danilo Bach (Beverly Hills Cop 1984) also tossed in the most fitting ending ever (spoiler alert), a wrapup with absolutely no body count. Imagine that! How many horror films have accomplished that?
A few notable mentions…
After the success of the Friday the 13th franchise, Paramount Pictures distributed April Fool’s Day and hired Frank Mancuso, a producer who worked on four of the Friday the 13th films. His contributions were evident. Even the killer, who remained off-screen, was only shown from the knees down revealing only jeans and boots, much like Mrs. Voorhees.
While watching the film, my girlfriend caught a few glimpses and mentioned, “This is funny!” Without question, April Fool’s Day will make you laugh. The cast is talented, good-looking, and not afraid to look silly. Walton even encouraged improvisation – most notably in the scene where the girls take a Cosmo quiz, something he had actually seen them do off camera and wanted to include in the movie.
Here are a few fun quotes from the film…
Chaz: “Hey, guy. Your fly is open and your Hostess Twinkie is hanging out.”
Harvey: “Y’know what I find amazing? Muffy’s her real name. I mean, my name’s Harvey but they call me Hal, so I figure Muffy must stand for something… Muffin?”
Nikki: “Muff-child, Moffo, the Muffster, Muffin’ stuff…”
Harvey: “Muff dive.”
Kit: “And don’t anyone say ‘April Fool’s’ again or I’ll rip them apart!”
Skip and Arch: “Cough-cough-April Fool’s!-cough-cough”
Final Thoughts
If you appreciate horror films, and subsequently, slasher films… then this is a movie that deserves your attention. I don’t say this in a joking matter, but really in a serious one; I love this genre, I love the films that inspired April Fool’s Day, and I believe this movie can hold up to today’s standards. It deserves a revisit from any fan. What better day to watch it than April 1st?
