“In 1957, Mary Lou Maloney went up in flames. Now she’s back. And she’s burning mad.” Synopsis: Thirty years after her accidental death at her 1957 senior prom, the tortured spirit of prom queen Mary Lou Maloney returns to seek revenge.

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Calamity Brains:

Considering how bad Prom Night is, it’s astonishing that Prom Night II got made. What’s even more astonishing is that it’s actually good.

This underrated sequel fits in well with the classic ’80s slashers. It’s similar in tone to the early Nightmare on Elm Street movies. I’ll probably be lynched for saying this, but Prom Night II is actually better than a lot of the early movies from classic franchises. Not only does it feature kills that are still fairly creative even today, but the effects hold up well also. There’s also some depth to characters and relationships, particularly father Bill (Michael Ironside) and son Craig (Louis Ferreira). There’s even a nude chase scene. Really, why this movie is so often overlooked is beyond me.

Of course, as I’m singing praises, it’s important to keep in mind that at heart, Prom Night II is still just a slasher. There aren’t any real surprises here. It follows a predictable pattern: someone dies horribly, and comes back to seek revenge. Fortunately, the mystery is never who the killer is – more how she’s doing it and what she wants. And though we all know the killer clichés, Mary Lou (Lisa Schrage) is definitely a step above average. Not only is she imaginative and cruel, but the added angle of possession makes her all the more dangerous. As Mary Lou takes control of Vicki (Wendy Lyon), it’s hard not to imagine the consequences that would rain down on the girl even if she got free of her ghost.

Prom Night II is a great flick to throw on for a casual night. It’s got enough gore and effects to work well for the splatter fans, and enough content to please the thinkers. And though it doesn’t require alcohol, we made a drinking game for the movie, too. If you’re a fan of ’80s slashers and haven’t added this to your list yet, do.

Calamity Brains’ Rating: B+
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