When it comes to slasher movies there seems to be three different camps of film. First you have the classics. These movies are often genre defining or simply stand out among the many other slasher films. This includes movies like Halloween, Friday the 13th, and Black Christmas.
The second camp is the clones or copycats. Basically any film that cashes in on the slasher craze and doesn't do much to break formula fits in this category. This includes movies such as Wrong Turn, House on Sorority Row, and My Blood Valentine. This camp can also include sequels.
The third and final camp of slasher film is the comedy or spoof. If a movie takes the classic slasher formula and then makes fun of it, it belongs in this camp. This includes films such as Scream, Student Bodies, and Tucker and Dale Vs. Evil. Troma Studio's Decampitated falls into this third category.
The only catch is that the cabin and the surrounding woods are the site of a series of murders. The group pays the area's history no mind and packs up and heads out. Each of the characters is an iconic 90s stereotype.
While on their way out to the cabin the group gets in a car accident and are stranded in the middle of the woods. They decide to set up camp and wait until morning before looking for help. Soon, strange things start happening and the group finds themselves hunted by a dancing madman in the woods.
Almost instantly as the film starts rolling you can begin to recognize all kinds of references an throw backs to previous horror films including Night of the Living Dead, Texas Chainsaw Massacre, and even some chiller films from the 1950s. Unfortunately, what is funny for the first thirty minutes of the film gets boring very quickly.
The film never seems to progress beyond the sheer stupidity of cheep jokes and poorly performed, over-the-top acting. Additionally Decampitated is a disappointment as far as the elements of exploitation goes. While the gore is entertaining at times it the violence ends up feeling hollow and flat. There was also no semblance of sexual content or nudity in this film which will be a big disappointment to Troma fans. This wouldn't be so weird if the front cover of the film didn't suggest otherwise.
Summing it Up
Deaths: 8
Language: 2
Gore Factor: 3
Sex Factor: 1
Scare Factor: 0
Fun Factor: 2
Overall Rating: 2