SURF NAZIS MUST DIE: 1987
If you ever went to a video store and saw this movie on the shelf you would think "hey this looks interesting", but if your one of those people who reads reviews before they rent or watch a movie then you will know that this movie had terrible reviews. Most exploitation films have this problem, they get awful reviews but have a wide-span cult audience. Critics have called this movie "Boring", "Hard to follow", "Terrible acting" and so on but with a name like SURF NAZIS MUST DIE what do you expect. When you really look at it (like I did) you will see how great this movie is when it comes to plot and idea. You have to also love the fact that its from TROMA and you can always get a good time from them. Its like buying a whore, you know its bad for you but you will have the best time.
This movie begins in the future where an earthquake leaves the California coastline in ruins and for some reason has the beaches ruled by chaos and gangs. One gang that not only rules the beaches but other gangs are called the Surf Nazis. The Surf Nazis are cruel and take advantage of this disaster by robbing people, killing off rival gangs and surfing. Meanwhile a man named Leroy takes his "Mama" to a retirement home because when your parents reach a certain age that is the appropriate thing to do. When the Surf Nazis make the mistake of killing Leroy his "Mama" goes batshit and kills off these honkey neo-nazis the only way an old black lady can do it....Brutally.
One great thing I loved about this movie was the surfer gangs. Not only did you have the Surf Nazis who have the obvious nicknames like Adolf and Eva but you had other rival themed gangs like the Designer Wave who were the typical 80s new wavers and the obvious stereotypical Asian gang who know kung-fu. It's a power struggle on who will own the beach and who will get to surf, sure it sounds ridiculous but even beaches need gangs. Why should bars and inner-cities have all the fun.
Another thing thats good and you never really find in mainstream movies is a woman taking matters into her own hands. And were talking about an old black lady who goes out to avenge her son. Alot of these old movies had women being the heroes and not being offensive about it, it shows the true power of a woman when you piss her off. Mainstream Hollywood fails at feminism, but grindhouse Hollywood finds a way to make it work even when it doesn't seem like it. When casting either old woman or black woman or both you usually see them as victim and have to feel bad for them, Not Leroy's Mama, she does what a woman should do when her child is murdered by surfer gangs...and thats kill them. Im not promoting female vigilante-ism, im just saying I applaud this movie for doing so.
Finally, the soundtrack was awesomely 80s which is a plus, the violence was excellent....How many times do you see people get killed by surf boards and speed boats. Thats another thing that worked out well, limited use of a gun, there is so many ways to kill someone why limit yourself with a gun. Granted the acting was terrible but who cares, this was still an enjoyable movie. Give SURF NAZIS MUST DIE a chance....it's not Oscar gold, but it is a good time.
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