When a group of young, rich, twenty-somethings get together for a pool party, they think they're in for a relaxing afternoon of fun in the sun. But when a mysterious killer starts killing them off one by one, the summer afternoon turns into a blood soaked nightmare. This is Pool Party Massacre!
I absolutely loved the opening scene and title sequence to this movie! The "lonely", young housewife unsuccessfully trying to get the attention of the oblivious, headphone wearing, consumed-in-his-metal-music pool guy is a funny twist on an adult film cliche and a strong set up for the rest of the film. Following this scene is a fantastic 8-bit video game style opening title sequence backed by beeping and booping Nintendo style music fused with punk/screamo speed and singing. The entire opening does exactly what a slasher film should do: warms up it's horror audience and prepares them for a fun, killer time!
The film suffers a bit in the middle third as it relies too much on comedic conversation between the characters. And while there are a few funny moments, the humor is never elevated beyond a chuckle and some of the scenes come across as a parody of a comedy/horror film. The characters and deliveries at times are too on the nose and a lot of the humor, (or the intent of humor), seems labored and never rises above a sketch comedy rehearsal at best.
The actress who seems most at ease as her character is Crystal Stoney as Britney. With her sentences sounding both like a statement and a question at the same time, Stoney's portrayal as the ditzy airhead is both funny and convincing. The on screen chemistry between Margaux Neme as Nancy and Kristin Noel McKusick is also a strong point of the film with both actresses playing well off each other. Watching their interactions are perhaps the strongest parts of the script and almost make up for the lackluster group conversations that pepper the second act.
The film features brutal kills with a variety of tools that produce plenty of blood (the weed whacker in the shower scene is inspired). The gory kills and the high maintenance, self centered attitudes of the characters combined with the beautiful setting of the house and relaxing backyard pool area is the perfect recipe to root for the shallow, unappreciative characters to meet a blood soaked demise. There's no new ground broken with Pool Party Massacre, as the above scenario is exactly what the film sets out to achieve, and on that level it succeeds.
The final act is a surprise and all around great time. It lifts the film back up to the heights promised in the beginning I wish it could have sustained better throughout its run time. It offers more visual and idea based humor that was lacking for the majority of the film. Pool Party Massacre may be an uneven ride at best, but at its best it offers up a bloody good time. You just have to be willing to sit through some missteps in humor and pacing to enjoy it.
Overall the kills, the summer afternoon setting, and actresses Margaux Neme and Kristin Noel McKusick make Pool Party Massacre worth a watch.
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