After a brief recap of the events in the previous movie, William Lustig's MANIAC COP 2 offers much more of the same violence and mayhem, albeit glossier and slightly less dark than in the original film. In fact this is one of Lustig's most impressive-looking and pacy movies, blessed with a wealth of violent mayhem right from the offset which is a lot more entertaining than many of the so-called slasher movies being released at the time. Gore, explosions, naked strippers, shootings, and an ensemble cast help to make this film the best in the short-lived series and a solid entry for genre fans. Okay, so the story is predictable and barely links together a string of set-pieces, and said set-pieces are also familiar (the police station massacre is almost a direct reprisal from the first movie, but with better action), but it's all done with style thanks to Lustig and is never less than watchable.
Three actors reprise their roles from the original movie: first up is the hulking Robert Z'Dar as the madman of the title, looking more zombie-like than ever this time around - he might as well be Jason (from one of the later Friday the 13th movies) in a uniform. Also back are Bruce Campbell (the ever-great genre stalwart) and Laurene Landon, the two survivors of the original movie. The new "hero" this time is Robert Davi, as a tough (nothing new there) good guy for a change, with female support from Claudia Christian as a police psychologist. Michael Lerner offers strong support as Davi's corrupt boss and there are minor roles for Charles Napier, Danny Trejo (before he achieved "fame" as the vampiric bartender in FROM DUSK TILL DAWN) and even Sam Raimi, in a cameo as a reporter. Also pretty good is Leo Rossi, playing the depraved serial killer Turkell, although his character is more stupid than scary.
The acting is strong enough to carry the film throughout and even in some of the weaker moments, you always know there's going to be a shooting, a car-chase, or a fight in a few moments to relieve the tension. All of the action is well-crafted and prolific, making this movie of an action film than a horror when it comes down to it. Particularly good is the finale, a pyromaniac's dream which makes excellent use of a couple of fire-proof suits as the burning Cordell goes on a rampage of revenge against the prisoners who originally killed him in the shower all those years back. Never have burning people looked so good. Then there's an explosive conclusion, although Lustig can't resist to put in a jokey and rather predictable epilogue which promises more mayhem from the uniformed zombie. MANIAC COP 2 - perfect fare for an action/horror junkie with undemanding tastes, and one of Lustig's best.
Three actors reprise their roles from the original movie: first up is the hulking Robert Z'Dar as the madman of the title, looking more zombie-like than ever this time around - he might as well be Jason (from one of the later Friday the 13th movies) in a uniform. Also back are Bruce Campbell (the ever-great genre stalwart) and Laurene Landon, the two survivors of the original movie. The new "hero" this time is Robert Davi, as a tough (nothing new there) good guy for a change, with female support from Claudia Christian as a police psychologist. Michael Lerner offers strong support as Davi's corrupt boss and there are minor roles for Charles Napier, Danny Trejo (before he achieved "fame" as the vampiric bartender in FROM DUSK TILL DAWN) and even Sam Raimi, in a cameo as a reporter. Also pretty good is Leo Rossi, playing the depraved serial killer Turkell, although his character is more stupid than scary.
The acting is strong enough to carry the film throughout and even in some of the weaker moments, you always know there's going to be a shooting, a car-chase, or a fight in a few moments to relieve the tension. All of the action is well-crafted and prolific, making this movie of an action film than a horror when it comes down to it. Particularly good is the finale, a pyromaniac's dream which makes excellent use of a couple of fire-proof suits as the burning Cordell goes on a rampage of revenge against the prisoners who originally killed him in the shower all those years back. Never have burning people looked so good. Then there's an explosive conclusion, although Lustig can't resist to put in a jokey and rather predictable epilogue which promises more mayhem from the uniformed zombie. MANIAC COP 2 - perfect fare for an action/horror junkie with undemanding tastes, and one of Lustig's best.