APRIL
FOOL'S DAY (1986)Director: Fred Walton
Paramount
APRIL
FOOL'S DAY (1986)
By 1986, the slasher sub-genre had become fairly tired (though some may assert
that it had become tired by 1981). Much like what the previous year's RETURN
OF THE LIVING DEAD did with zombie films, it was time that someone delivered
a slasher movie with a little lighter, more humor-oriented tone. To me, the
very core of the slasher sub-genre (and what most of the best ones contain)
is a direct link of inspiration from classic mystery novels: A mysterious killer
bumping people off one at a time on a particular night or concurrent set of
nights, a hidden secret from someone's past, and a secluded location in which
the kills take place. With this in mind, no other slasher from the 80's seems
as in touch with its mystery roots as APRIL FOOL'S DAY is. 
Eight people are invited to spend
the weekend with their friend Muffy (Deborah Foreman) in her parents' secluded
island house. One by one, they are dispatched in typical slasher movie style
(beheading, knifing, hanging, etc.) Who is doing away with this bright group
of college graduates? And does it have something to do with a traumatic April
Fool's Day prank from a birthday in Muffy's past? Watch and find out. APRIL
FOOL'S DAY has always been one of my all-time favorite slasher movies. It has
always been one that I could watch over and over and over and over again. From
the Agatha Christie-esque setting, to the spooky musical score, to its genuinely
surprising ending, it always seems to hit the right notes. On the surface, it
appears to be like any other typical 80s slasher film. It is, after all, named
after a particular day. However, that's where the truly obvious comparisons
stop. For example, most of the kills happen off-screen. This is a major conflict
with the usual 80s slasher movie rule. However, the way director Fred Walton
(WHEN A STRANGER CALLS) pulls off the death's prelude and their subsequent reveals
once the bodies are discovered, the fact that the actual deaths take place off-screen
becomes irrelevant. I think this also helps the film upon repeat viewings. Most
slashers rely on special effects to mask a terrible story and/or bad actors.
In most cases, the special FX becomes the single star of the show. On repeat
viewings, those slashers (as much as I love them dearly) can get a little old.
In APRIL FOOL'S DAY, no one aspect is the key that holds everything together.
Each aspect of the film is just as solid as the rest. The cast is great, the
music is great, the locations are great, the story is great, the cinematography
is great, and the death 
scenes
work. It's this balance that allows APRIL FOOL'S DAY to be enjoyed just as much
the 20th time you see it, as it was the very first time. Oh, and as for the
ending... for me, it works. I absolutely love it.
On DVD, APRIL FOOL'S DAY is presented
Anamorphic, in its original theatrical aspect ratio of 2:35:1, and looks absolutely
incredible. After the dismal transfers that Paramount gave BETTER OFF DEAD and
TOP SECRET, I was a little afraid of how they'd treat their upcoming horror
discs. I am truly taken aback by how good APRIL FOOL'S Day's transfer is. I
kid you not; it looks like a brand new movie, freshly filmed out of Hollywood.
Deborah Foreman and Amy Steel have never looked hotter.
Another thing I noticed right off the bat was that the original opening titles have been restored. On previous VHS versions, the opening credits were replaced by really generic graphics in order to fit within the frame (for an example, look at the cheap graphics on the credits to the show "Night Court"). It was very obvious that the credits had been altered for the VHS version, and it's a good thing Paramount brought back what looks to be the original theatrical credits. The audio for APRIL FOOL'S DAY contains a fairly impressive 5.1 surround English track, as well as French and English Dolby Surround tracks. On the 5.1 track, the film's spooky musical score by Charles Bernstein has never sounded more eerie and mysterious. While not the best 5.1 track I've ever heard, for a slasher film, it does its job and is pretty impressive. For the hard of hearing, English subtitles have been included.
Despite
the note of "Special Features Not Rated" on the back of the disc,
sadly, Paramount has included zero special features. Not even the trailer has
been included. From what I hear, the original trailer was really interesting.
Why has it not been included? A unique slasher film like this deserves just
as good of treatment on DVD as other slasher releases (THE PROWLER, THE TOOLBOX
MURDERS, MADMAN). Interviews with the cast and crew (especially, the aforementioned
Steel, Foreman, and BACK TO THE Future's Thomas F. Wilson) which would've been
a hoot!) would've been nice. Even a mere 10-minute documentary of interviews
would've sufficed. However, Paramount has once again given the horror fan absolutely
nothing in the way of added material. Given the nature of the title and the
film itself, they could've had a lot of fun with special features on this one.
Alas, we are given squat.
The DVD's cover artwork uses the
original VHS artwork, although it's color has been altered to a reddish tint.
I was pleased to see them use the eye-catching original VHS artwork, but I wonder
why the color was altered? It looked fi
NE
to me. The original "APRIL FOOL'S DAY" title font has been changed,
but the new font doesn't look bad at all. At least not as bad as the new title
font on Paramount's newer FRIDAY THE 13TH DVD releases.
Overall, APRIL FOOL'S DAY is very much worth checking out. Horror fans and mystery fans alike should really get into it. For the high price Paramount is asking, you would expect to get more supplements for what you're paying. Still, APRIL FOOL'S DAY is probably one of the few barebones Paramount discs that I say is worth every penny of its MSRP. If you can find it cheaper, immediately pick it up. However, if you can only afford one barebones Paramount horror title this year, APRIL FOOL'S DAY is hands-down, the one to get. (Wes Ray)