A slasher film that's easy on gore

Do you know what's even more terrifying than watching a teenage slasher film? One that markets itself as one but offers a body count that would make any serial killer hang his head in shame.

Prom Night sees the movie directorial debut of Nelson McCormick (CSI, Prison Break), who is clearly clueless about remaking a classic like the Jamie Lee Curtis-star of the same name. The 1980 version was the original daddy of teen-horror films, and had a story that made sense in a serial killer sort of way – a father avenging his daughter's death.

Step into 2008 and we have Donna Keppel (Brittany Snow), a senior student recovering from the brutal massacre of her family three years ago, at the hands of Richard Fenton (Johnathon Schaech). Richard was a deranged teacher who wanted Donna all to himself, but ended up in a mental institution in the end. Now living with her aunt and uncle, Donna is moving on with her life and even ready to attend prom night with boyfriend Bobby (Scott Porter). But horror of horrors, Richard has escaped the asylum and is back to claim his lost love.

Detectives Winn (Idris Elba) and Nash (James Ransone) – bearing a close resemblance to the Dastardly and Muttley cartoon show – have come to the same conclusion and storm the prom before Richard succeeds with his nefarious plans. But alas, they are too late to save the token friends who were scheduled to die every seven-odd minutes, like clockwork.

Prom Night is probably the worst yet in a long line of teenage horror films, but it certainly won't be the last.

Prom Night. Stars Brittany Snow and Johnathon Schaech. Rated 15.

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