Welcome To Spring Break Review

MPAA Rating: R
Released: 1988

The 80's were the birthing grounds for a multitude of horror/slasher flicks, and Welcome To Spring Break is one of the many obscure offerings remembered only by diehard genre fans. When the leader of a biker gang is wrongly executed for a murder he didn't commit, he vows to get revenge from beyond the grave. The threat isn't paid much heed by the authorities… until the bodies of oversexed teens start piling up. Is there a lunatic on the loose, or is the executed biker making good on his promise?

As the film opens we see Diablo (Tony Bolano), a hardened prisoner and former biker gang leader, being led to the electrocution chamber. Before being strapped into the chair he takes a moment to shout his defiance at a young observer named Gail (Sarah Buxton). He's being executed for the murder of Gail's sister, based primarily on testimony provided by Gail. The problem? He swears he didn't do it, and before he perishes he vows to get revenge on all those who falsely accused and murdered him.

A few days later the biker's execution is forgotten by most, for Florida is being overrun with a multitude of partying teens that are celebrating the yearly ritual known as spring break. Unbeknownst to the visitors and locals alike, this is no time to celebrate, for a killer is among their midst picking off innocents in grisly ways when opportunity presents itself.

On the case is Strycher (John Saxon), a corrupt police officer with many skeletons in his closet. He suspects that members of Diablo's former gang are committing these crimes and does his best to strong arm the bikers. The fervent Reverend Bates (Lance LeGault) has another theory – he believes it may be Diablo himself returning from the grave to wreak his revenge.

While the victims are being chosen with no apparent rhyme or reason, Gail realizes that her life is in significant danger. Together with a guy she met at the bar, Skip (Nicholas De Toth), she begins her own investigation in order to discover the horrifying truth behind the murders.

I never caught Welcome To Spring Break during the 80's; it was only recently that I stumbled across its existence. Being a fan of both the horror genre and the film Shocker, I saw a lot of potential in the plot. Who couldn't enjoy the tale of an executed murderer returning from the grave to electrocute (among other things) his victims?

Well, horror fans, Welcome To Spring Break is no Shocker. Not by a long shot. In fact after watching this film I wanted to mentally throttle director Umberto Lenzi for getting my hopes up, because Welcome To Spring Break does start out strong. The walk down death row was very effective – the stark surroundings of the prison hall and clacking of the guards' shoes echoing in the air created an impending sense of doom. Tony Bolano also had an extremely rough and rugged appearance and could have been as compelling a villain as Mitch Pileggi in Shocker.

But once they flipped the switch, any chances for a quality horror flick perished alongside Diablo. I doubt I'm really ruining any plot secret when I say that Bolano is nowhere to be seen for the rest of the film – Welcome To Spring Break devolves into a "whodunit" slasher where the viewer must try and guess who is guilty of the crimes. I won't divulge that secret in case you decide to give this flick a try, but much to my dismay I saw the pedestrian "twist" coming a mile away.

I've always been a fan of John Saxon, so his inclusion was another reason I wanted to give Welcome To Spring Break a try. Although he was enjoyable enough to watch and lent a certain level of legitimacy to the film, it was clear he slept though this role. Sadly, Saxon on autopilot was still far, far better than the absolutely pathetic performances displayed by almost all the other "actors."

The murders aren't terribly graphic for horror standards, and when compared to some of Lenzi's other works they are downright sanitized. I can give a slight nod of approval for the inventive nature of a few of the kills. How about electrocution via motorcycle?

Perhaps the greatest crime of all is a good deal of this slasher was actually boring. Granted I watched the film later at night, but even so I should never have the urge to nod off to sleep during a horror flick!

Welcome To Spring Break isn't the worst horror film I've ever seen, but it is one of the most disappointing. A film with a vengeful convict and John Saxon should have been much better than this. Thumbs down from me, though if you like watching obscure horror titles it might be worth a rental.

Movie rating: 4 stars

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