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Chopping Mall
1986 77 min United States of America R 16+
★5.6
Horror, Science Fiction
Director: Jim Wynorski
Trailers
Description
High-tech robots equipped with state-of-the-art security devices have been recruited as the new mechanical "night watchmen" for the Park Plaza Mall. When a jolting bolt of lightning short-circuits the main computer control, the robots turn into "killbots" on the loose after unsuspecting shoppers!
Budget:
$800,000
Starring
Kelli Maroney
Actor
Tony O'Dell
Actor
Russell Todd
Actor
Key opinion
Chopping Mall is widely regarded as a quintessential 1980s B-movie that prioritizes campy spectacle and genre tropes over narrative coherence. While critics note the film's forgettable substance and absurdity, it is frequently enjoyed by audiences as a fun, fast-paced piece of nostalgic trash cinema.
| Originality | The premise of mall-roaming, malfunctioning security robots serves as an effective and memorable hook for the horror-thriller hybrid. | |
| Production | The film utilizes practical effects, including robot designs and set-piece explosions, to create a competent and atmospheric visual spectacle. | |
| Screenplay | The narrative relies on thin character archetypes and absurd logic that frequently prioritize mindless action over story development. | |
| Acting | Performances are functional and professional enough for the genre, though they lack the depth to elevate the thin material. | |
| Pacing | The film is divided between those who appreciate its brisk, relentless pace and those who find the repetitive cycle of traps and chases exhausting. |