Rating summary

Movie		2.0
Video		3.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		4.0
Overall		3.5

Slashdance Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf April 8, 2022

1989’s “Slash Dance” (or “Slashdance,” depending on the day, apparently) is an eye-catching title for a feature that struggles to hold viewer attention. The movie isn’t a slasher experience in any traditional sense, and stage performance is limited to repetitive scenes of rehearsal. Writer/director James Shyman isn’t entirely invested in any single idea for the production, electing to make something kinda-sorta campy and possibly menacing, with perhaps some action here and there. “Slash Dance” isn’t confusing, but it doesn’t try to do anything specific, with Shyman most interested in keeping his camera trained on actresses in tight dance gear. The potential for an exploitation romp is there, but the helmer doesn’t have the energy to transform the material into a proper diversion. It’s more of a filmed community theater production, sure to disappoint those expecting a more robust horror event.

Young actresses are disappearing in Los Angeles, inspiring L.A.P.D. supercop Tori (Cindy Ferda) to investigate the situation. She’s headed undercover at the Van Slake Playhouse, where actor Logan (James Carroll Jordan) is putting together a revue to help his career, bringing in numerous women to perform in the production, including Tori. As rehearsals get underway, Tori cozies up to Logan while keeping her eye on others, including stage manager Rupert (John Bluto) and stagehand Amos (J. Buzz Von Ornsteiner), who exhibit troubling behavior. With blowhard Captain Edison (John Henry Richardson) putting pressure on Tori to get something accomplished, the cop gets closer to the killer, putting herself in danger.

Violence is minimal in “Slash Dance,” regulated to audition scenes with young hopefuls trying to launch their career at the Van Slake Playhouse. Victims are few and far between, but Tori is motivated to do something, still wrestling with the loss of her little sister to predators, blurring the line between justice and revenge as she takes on the scum of the city. Shyman provides a few examples of Tori’s fury as she busts citizens for selling illegal steroids and preying on innocents, which gives “Slash Dance” a chance to showcase some physical activity early in the feature, making use of Ferda’s career in “GLOW: Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling,” also bringing in a few other faces from the company, including “Queen Kong” Dee Booher, who gifts size and thespian emphasis to the movie as a crook-turned-ally.

“Slash Dance” eventually does away with murdering, replacing stalk-and-kill sequences with preparations for Logan’s revue, introducing the wacky assortment of sexual monsters that make up the staff of the playhouse. Amos is especially unwell, presented as the biggest red herring in the whodunit, with the mentally challenged man openly snacking on goldfish in front of everyone. Even if he isn’t the killer, he deserves some form of punishment.

The “sushi” idea is one of a few weird ones from Shyman, who eventually does away with storytelling to focus on rehearsals, meeting a collection of dancers trying to work out basic moves for Logan, who only has eyes for Tori. “Slash Dance” has an enormous amount of padding to help reach the 83-minute run time, often returning to stage interactions and “5-6-7-8” countdowns, which grow old instantly. Shyman also likes to study these bodies in motion, though the endeavor is weirdly chaste, refusing to go the extra mile as typical slasher and load the effort up with nudity. Instead, there’s a whole lot of spandex, which is lovingly photographed.

Slashdance Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.35:1 aspect ratio) presentation is listed as an "HD up-res from the 1" video master," and "film elements" for the feature "are lost." Technical information isn't found for "Slash Dance," but the viewing experience is what it is, offering inherently limited detail on screen elements. Resolution reaches as far as it can go here. Colors are equally pushed to the max, offered some help by brighter stage lighting and lively costumes that supply varied hues.

Slashdance Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA mix secures clear dialogue exchanges, supporting louder line readings. Scoring is limited to a simple digital piano sound, with the chirpy tunes recycled throughout the listening experience. Clarity is acceptable.

Slashdance Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary #1 features writer/director James Shyman.

• Commentary #2 features Tony and Johanna of the Hack the Movies podcast.

• Bonus Movie: "Hollywood's New Blood" is a 1988 offering from writer/director James Shyman.

• Interview (38:58, HD) is a chat with actor J. Buzz Von Ornsteiner, who spent plenty of time in the B-movie trenches, playing monsters and maniacs before finding his way to "Slash Dance." Van Ornsteiner walks through his early years in the business, trying to catch a break, but largely dealing with low-budget productions. Writer/director James Shyman is recalled, and the interviewee goes into the particulars of his character, trying to do something with the part. Anecdotes about filming are shared, including the actor's mission to eat a goldfish, which was actually a carrot. Crew tales are offered, and Von Ornsteiner discusses his move to forensic psychology, recognizing that acting offered no future. Education led to jobs in the field, which brought him to television, becoming a staple of Court TV, news programs, and "trash T.V."

• Interview (37:10, HD) is a sit-down with producer Andrew Maisner, who details his initial interest in moviemaking, and offers memories of his first meeting with "Slash Dance" writer/director James Shyman, with the men sharing a jacuzzi together at a hotel. Maisner is a bit of an old-school personality, sharing slightly inappropriate tales from his career, including his work to keep a terrible actress in the picture strictly because she was eye-candy for the crew. Some production tales are offered, along with the Cannes marketplace experience. Maisner found great success with 1993's "Leslie Nielsen's Bad Golf Made Easier" video, which led him to work with Rodney Dangerfield, creating an opportunity for the interviewee to remind viewers that the legendary comedian had a large penis he enjoyed showing off. Sadly, "Slash Dance" lost money for Maisner, who goes into the evils of studio accounting, remarking how creators have it easier today when it comes time to get paid.

• "3-Minute 'Slash Dance'" (2:39, SD) is a condensed version of the film.

• A Trailer has not been included on this release.

Slashdance Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Slash Dance" should be highly concerned about a killer on the loose, but the writing isn't very interested in ratcheting up suspense with an unknown maniac. Shyman appears to be making a comedy with the endeavor, permitting his cast to go wild with their performances, with Richardson especially hammy as Captain Edison, who's depicted as an absolute pig of a man, eager to humiliate Tori. The acting is a hard on the senses, though Ferda is perfectly appealing as the top cop, making one wish Shyman had more for the character to do after her lively opening sequences. "Slash Dance" adds some blood here and there, but it's not a haunting viewing experience. It's silly, and not in an inspired way, making for a long sit as Shyman pays little attention to his plot and one-liners, giving viewers all the half-speed dance rehearsal scenes they could want.