Teenage orphans Abby (Lori Loughlin) and Loren (Shannon Presby) go to live with their aunt and uncle in Florida, who run a combination gas station and amusement park. Abby attracts the attention of scumbag Eddie Dutra (James Spader) and his redneck buddies. When Abby rejects them, the punks harass her and her family. Loren tries to get even which leads to Abby being kidnapped. Now it's a life or death showdown vs the rednecks.Not a horror movie like the poster implies but an action-thriller that sadly has nothing to do with New Kids on the Block. The '80s was a decade full of revenge movies. Most were more brutal than this. But I suppose that might make this more accessible than, say, the Death Wish series. The cast here is decent. Shannon Presby had a short-lived career but that appears to be by choice as he does fine here. Lori Loughlin is very pretty and personable. Every time I see one of her pre-Full House movie roles I have to wonder what the world was smoking in the '80s that prevented her from becoming a bigger star. We're also teased with a nude shower scene from her in this but, alas, it's just a tease. Carrot-topped Eric Stoltz plays Lori's boyfriend. I doubt I'll ever fully get his appeal. Eddie Jones plays the likable but irresponsible uncle ("Soon enough, we're gonna be fartin' through silk"). Tom Atkins appears all-too-briefly. The guys playing the rednecks are over-the-top goofy and not the least bit scary. The standout of the movie is, obviously, a scenery-chewing platinum blonde James Spader as the creepy villain. It's his movie, really. This was written by Stephen Gyllenhaal, father of Maggie. She would later have her first big role in Secretary, which starred Spader. Two degrees of separation. The gang of school toughs that back up Spader do not seem like the kind of dudes a guy like him would be hanging with. Something tells me the part Spader was cast for and the part he played weren't exactly the same. It's an OK time-passer. Nothing terribly special but worth a peek for fans of '80s cheese. Dig the montage with generic rock music when Loren prepares for the big fight. Love the '80s!

Abby(Lori Loughlin)and Loren McWilliams(Shannon Presby)are two teenagers who have just lost their parents in a terrible car accident.Their Uncle Charlie decides invites brother and sister to his splendid amusement park in South Florida.Abby attracts the attention of the psychotic Eddie Dutra (James Spader)and his gang of redneck hooligans.Two siblings are harassed and bullied by vicious thugs,but this is only the beginning..."The New Kids" by Sean "Friday the 13th" Cunningham is an enjoyable and quite violent revenge thriller with few gruesome scenes and plenty of exciting action.I particularly enjoyed James Spader's performance as drug dealing Eddie.The final scenes of "The New Kids" are jaw-droppingly awesome.8 butchered rabbits out of 10.

Here's one savage revenge flick that has remake potential, something I would remake. Following the tragic death of their marine father (Atkins) the surviving son and daughter go to live with the Uncle and Aunt out on an amusement park, out in the country. But what follows is nothing but amusing. A group of bullies led by Eddie Dutra (Spader) in one of his best performances, have been terrorising the town's folk, on a daily basis. When rejected by Loughlin who'd rather date the clean cut Stoltz, again in a very nice boy role, Spader takes it not ever so lightly, so begins a nightmare of terror and games for the new kids, who are finally forced to strike back, as enough becomes enough. Spader who I consider one of the best actors of his generation, gives a no holds barred creepy and unsettling performance as the town thug, joined by his unsavoury and creepy mates, one being Philpin a little backward. There's an irony to him and the park burning down at the end, just check out Grandview U.S.A. Spader plays bad well, if seeing him in the current The Blacklist is any indication, where I'd call it a solid confirmation, The Blacklist, being the acting pinnacle of his career. As this is from the makers of The Friday 13th's etc, this is more a psychological thriller than a horror, with some gruesome if disturbing moments, especially for animal lovers I warn you, where I was never more content to see the baddies die. The catalyst of the movie, of course being Spader's rejection, it was interesting to see how far he would personally take it, and when the new kids returned fire, it's a much gladdened moment. The climax in the amusement park is one of excitement, the movies highpoint, which like Savage Streets, shows us how revengeful justice is fittingly appropriate and warranted to those scum deserving. The New Kids a.k.a Striking Back isn't good or great, but a thrilling good time or one flick to kill 90 minutes of revenge loving viewing, where the onus really falls on the weight of the performers who do deliver good acting.

There are some 80s movies out there that just have that feel to it. That 80s feel that is just so damn likable. Fright Night has it, The Stuff has it, The Blob...the list goes on and on. And that list definitely has The New Kids in there somewhere.The story revolves around a brother and sister who are trying to live their lives with their Uncle in Florida after the tragic deaths of their parents. All seems pretty good until the school jerks take an interest in the sister. Who's played by Becky from Full House. Well, being well-raised kids, they know bad apples when they see one. So they try to keep their distance and tell these ruffians that they don't want any trouble. Well, too bad for our bro and sis, they've got loads of trouble coming. Let's hope they're up for the battle.Like I said above, The New Kids shares that special charm and energy that most of the classic from the 80s held. It's lively, it's interesting, the characters are fun and over-the-top, and it had some pretty sweet scenes. Shame though you don't get to see Becky strip. Ya get so close too! Even though there's no skin, the flick is still a fun ride and should definitely be seen by fans of the 80s, especially fans of revenge thrillers.