Not many movies take the bold step of telling you what will happen in the opening scene. Some movies have foreshadowing, Madman should have full on spoiler alert warnings. Of course it is a slasher set in a summer camp, yes it is beside a wood, so we know there will be murders but most of us like to find out the who and how over the course of a movie. Madman follows the narrative of the slasher movie, but it has strange quirks along the way.
With Friday the 13th (1980) proving so popular it was understandable that other movies would imitate in the hope of jumping on the trend. Madman was one such movie, and they weren't subtle about their intention either. Both films are about camps and both films feature a pyscho who murders people in gruesome ways. Whereas Friday the 13th would go on to spawn multiple sequels, with even the most casual horror movie viewer aware of its existence, Madman has been largely forgotten.
Madman begins around a campfire in the woods, scary stories being told to frighten children. One character tells a story and each time he touches another character you get a flash foward involving the character and they all involve less than optimistic scenarios. After he finishes the lead counsellor tells the story of Madman Marz. A local farmer who murdered his entire family, was strung up by vigilantes but somehow got away. One of the children stands up at the end of the story and shouts Madman Marz, then hurls a rock through his window. The opening scene basically provides the exposition for the narrative, Madman Marz has been disturbed, murder will be the result.
There are elements of this film that work, but unfortunately there is a lot that doesn't work. Parts of the film stray into the bizarre, the love scene in the hot tub had me struggling not to laugh. There is over acting from many characters. The killer is, however, quite creepy and the night scenes in the woods are well shot. There is little in the way of innovation, and you will be hard pressed to remember scenes from this movie whereas movies like Halloween or Friday the 13th have so many moments that will live in the viewers minds for years. As so often when you imitate, you may get a decent copy, but you will never have originality. It was almost as if to try and compensate they put in almost bizarre elements, but it just doesnt work.
Should you watch the movie? I would give it a chance, its like a bizarre version of Friday the 13th but with major flaws. For the well executed kills, the creepy killer and good cinematography of the woods based action scenes it is worth watching.
5 out of 10