Over X-Mas 2017 I got a list from a family friend on films that he was after. Finding easily that Arrow had put this title out,me and this friend were disappointed the dual format version to remain pricey. Recently going on Amazon UK for other items,I stumbled on a cheap DVD only version Arrow had put out,which led to both of us finally taking part in the initiation.View on the film:Getting his lone shot in film after original director Peter Crane got booted for falling behind schedule and going over budget to turn the flick into a more arty Euro Horror, director Larry Stewart & cinematographer George Tirl take a streamline approach, with the Slasher set-pieces springing candle wax red gore,and a stylish use of shadows to give the killings a suggestive visceral edge. Using some of the footage Crane shot, Stewart and editor Ronald LaVine bring out a psychological chill to the psycho-thriller by linking the killings to scrambled glimpses of Fairchild's repressed memory.Reuniting later with the final girl as a writer/director/ producer on Melrose Place, the screenplay by Charles Pratt Jr appears more interested off-beat in the psycho-analyse of Fairchild,than the traditional Slasher body count. Referencing Jung and Freud, Pratt powers the unmasking of the killer with nightmare/ repressed memories of Fairchild that take the killings to the family home,and leads to a fittingly wacky reveal. Whilst the rest of the cast, (including Hunter Tylo making her debut) play sexy, but flat, Daphne Zuniga stands out by making the twist work thanks to a glint in the eye of madness,and by placing the vulnerabilities shown in the repressed memories of Fairchild into her unease of being the final girl of the initiation.

In the eighties drive-ins were dying off and grindhouse theaters were for the most part limited to larger cities. The rest of the country found their horror fix at the mom and pop video stores. The influx of horror films was massive and titles ranged from terrible low budget flicks to inspired films that rose above financial restrictions. Minor studios were churning out movie after movie to satisfy the home viewing crowds and the result was some movies that were more entertaining than expected if not completely memorable. THE INTIATION falls into this category.Daphne Zuniga stars as Kelly, a young college student pledging to the Delta Ro Kai sorority and dealing with the hazing that entails. The daughter of wealthy Dwight and Francis (Clu Gulager and Vera Miles), she is resented by at least one sorority sister who makes her initiation unbearable.At the same time Kelly has been dealing with a frightening set of dreams where she sees a burned man. Looking for help she turns to a professor doing research, Peter (James Read). His team studies Kelly and does test on her when she sleeps to help find the reason for her constant battle with these dreams.Both of these issues come to a head when the final test she's put through with her fellow pledges is to spend the night in a mall complex owned by her father. They must get by the guard and perform certain tasks throughout the night. Of course her nemesis in the sorority and a few of her friends have plans to make the night difficult for the pledges. But none of them is aware of a stalker that has been following Kelly with murder in mind. Characters are killed off one by one as we try and figure out who is behind it all. Does it have anything to do with the person in her dreams? Who will survive? The movie is an effective thriller that holds your interest from the get go. The low budget means that everything on the screen is put there with a skill that makes the film look much better than you would think the money would allow. The story is a solid one though done but holds elements of another horror film made just 4 years prior (I won't say what since it would become a major spoiler) that was done better and for more money. Still this movie offers enough differences that it creates its own story and fan base at the same time. It's also great to see actors like Miles and Gulager known for their roles in past horror films given roles here.Arrow Video is releasing this one and as with all their releases they've strived to make it the best. The 1080p restoration is derived from original film elements. Extras include a brand new commentary track by The Hysteria Continues, a new interview with actor Christopher Bradley, a new interview with actress Joy Jones, the theatrical trailer, a reversible sleeve with newly commissioned artwork by Justin Osbourn and for the first pressing copies only a collector booklet with new writing on the film by critic James Oliver.If you're a fan a horror films you'll want to pick this up. If you remember the days of perusing the shelves for horror movies at the local mom and pop video stores, you'll want to add this to your shelf. And if you just enjoy a solid movie with a few scares and a decent story then this is one you'll want to see.

"The Initiation" has future "Melrose Place" star Daphne Zuniga as Kelly Fairchild, a young college student from a wealthy Dallas family who is partaking in pledge week for the initiation into her sorority. Part of the gig is for Kelly and the other pledges to break into Kelly's father's massive shopping mall after hours and steal the night watchman's uniform. Unfortunately for Kelly, someone with murder on the mind is close behind them, and the killer may be linked to a bizarre recurring dream she's suffered from her entire life.Far less Gothic than "Hell Night" and considerably less graceful than "The House on Sorority Row", "The Initiation" stands as one of the weaker Greek-themed slashers. As I always like an underdog, I had looked forward to seeing "The Initiation" for years now, as it's one that has been off my radar for a long time. After finally seeing it, I find it a bit of a problematic film. On one hand, it's extremely satisfying in all its formulae— an unusual nightmare, sorority hazing, dream analysis, a bunch of college kids locked in a mall— the film works within established genre motifs, and it doesn't pretend to do anything other than that. This is all great. But once it hits the 85 minute mark, the film begins to seriously suffer from mishandled pacing, which is troublesome in a film like this in which the final act should be the most robust.It's not that the film's oft-discussed twist ending is unremarkable or problematic either— that's not the problem here— it's just that director Larry Stewart is unable to piece together a cohesive final act in a way that generates the suspense required for us to truly care. The majority of the film is really well done, especially by '80s slasher standards, and it's relatively a slow burn until the kids get to the shopping mall. At that point, the film's tension is sustained throughout the first several murders, but awkward pacing, choppy editing, and an unremarkable score ruin what could have otherwise been a tense and satisfying last hurrah.Hollywood classics Vera Miles and Clu Gulager have supporting roles as Zuniga's wealthy Texan parents, and deliver admirable performances where their main purpose is to lend the film some starpower credibility. Zuniga's performance is lopsided at times but she's an extremely likable and unusual protagonist, and the supporting cast are all worth their salt in a film like this."The Initiation" really is a bit of a melange. It's an enjoyable and engaging film throughout the first several acts, but mysteriously seems to strip itself of any and all suspense in its final fifteen minutes. Worth a look for '80s horror fans no less, though the stumbling of the last act really derails the film. There are some fairly dazzling special effects to be enjoyed as well. Highlights: the dream sequence, the sorority initiation chant, and the brutal murder over the mall intercom. 5/10.

The Initation is a product of good old 80's slasher formula. Just by the title you are probably assuming that this deals with a sorority pledge, which it does. Daphene (Melrose Place) Zuniga, who plays Kelly Fairchild is tormented from childhood nightmare memories. However, Kelly is now in college and she wants to join a sorority group. The initiation prank involves spending the night inside of an empty mall. While the college kids are trapped inside of the mall, they begin to get killed off as the night progresses. This movie moves along well. I especially like the fact that it's set inside of a mall. Other successes which are set inside of a mall include Jim Wynorski's "Chopping Mall," "Dawn of the Dead" and "Phantom of the Mall: Eric's Revenge." I don't know exactly what it is, but I enjoy that setting for a horror film. I also appreciate the acting capabilities of one Clu (Return of the Living Dead) Gulager. This guy is an awesome actor, no matter what role he is faced with. It also has some good fatalities in it. Check out the one with the arrow, it was right on point:) "The Initiation" is very comparable to such films as "Slumber Party Massacre," "House on Sorority Row" and "Scream" As one who frequently watches horror movies, I do recommend this one!