People are voting emotionally.

It’s fine. It's literally the definition of a fine movie. You’ve seen it before, you know every beat and outcome before the characters even do. Only question is how much escapism you’re looking for.

It is neither dumb nor smart enough to be fun, and spends way too much time with its boring human characters.

The movie's neither hopeful in contrived ways, nor hopeless in different contrived ways. Somehow it manages to be wonderful

I bought this bluray at a record shop for dirt cheap. It was 5 bucks or so, which is pretty amazing for a Shout! Factory release. I saw this way back in the day because I thought Elizabeth Berridge was hot (and she definitely is, I can confirm). I didn't love the film back in the day though. I re-visited it because I just felt the need to watch anything in my collection. I still don't think its great. There are aspects of it that I like but overall as a horror film it doesn't deliver on much.The film is about four teenagers who decide to go check out the local carnival despite warnings not to because of dead bodies that had previously turned up. Once they get there they discover that a monster and his handler are killing others and are soon gunning for them. The film is directed by Tobe Hooper,a horror film legend alone just for giving us the gift of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. This film pales so much in comparison. I know they are completely different types of films but this one really could have used some of what made TTCM so legendary.Positives first. I like the carnival fun-house theme. Clowns and the atmosphere of freakshow performers really go hand in hand with horror. The style with which this setting is filmed is quite nice. Other than that, the characters are typical horror junk. There are very few scary moments if any real ones at all. The little brother in the film is completely pointless. I can't even tell you why he has a prolonged role in this film.Tobe Hooper has been known for better. There's no suspense, chills, wit, or blood and gore to make this film memorable. As an 80s horror it pales in comparison to other contemporary works. Carnival theme aside there isn't anything that's overly great about this. I am reminded that there are a few other films from Hooper that I need to check out and probably will.5/10

What is excellent about this film is its stylistic presentation. Elizabeth Berridge is an excellent actress from her enticing nude shower scene at the very beginning to her very believable fright at the end. Berridge comes across as the innocent girl next door and wins the viewers hearts at the start. Why this actress did not go on to starring roles in many more films is a mystery. Rather than down the clear steps they go into the funhouse at a carney. Rather than just take the ride they decide to not get off, and rather hide inside and spend the night. The funhouse has some. Nice effects and reminds me of the old mil in Rye Playland in NY But what makes this movie compelling is that much of it is believable. I recommend it to horror fans and for film students it is a must see for it is excellently done.

Tobe Hooper made this film after the success of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974). After an aborted project (Eaten Alive, 1977) and a telefilm (Salem's Lot, 1981). The film shows a sure directorial skill that would fade little by little after his Lifeforce (1985). The film revolves around a group of teenagers who decides to spend the night inside a dark ride (The Funhouse) and witness a murder between two members of the circus. After this they are hunted by the by the deformed killer and his father and... well, the rest is the usual nerve wrecking scenes. This film had a huge mark on me when I watched it in television in my infancy, I remembered it for long time and unfortunately it was rare to show on TV and since I didn't had a VCR I couldn't watch it anywhere, when I got older I imported it on DVD, which is the copy I own. After a gap of some 15 years, the film still has the sinister mood of my recollection. It is sad that Hooper career followed a downward spiral, none of his films has the force of TTCM, though he came close in Funhouse and with Poltergeist (1982).

Elizabeth Berridge, Elizabeth Berridge, where had I seen her before? It didn't come to me, as I was thinking of probably some other horror film. No, she was in 'Amadeus' as quite the frivolous and sympathetic girl who ended up marrying him (Amadeus). She's an exuberant appearance, even if, here, i didn't care much for her acting.The opening scene is titillating fun, but then things get quite boring quite fast. Two double dates (and separately, a kid brother) stroll around a carnival without much really exciting happening (highlight is William Finley as Marco the Magnificent and bloody tricks and tales); it's colorful, though, and if you like a good carnival... In the last half hour things are finally going wrong and some killing, screaming and running must be done. Hardly a slasher, though; no kills until the last half hour (only the mentioning of earlier murders) and no mystery about who are responsible, even if one of them is wearing a mask. Still, there there's a good effort made to give the story some substance, by giving the killers a background and not making all the carnies a murdering bunch.Still, there's not so much to enjoy; 5 out of 10. No, wait, 6 out of 10; an extra point for Berridge and a few very good, creepy scenes (one with Amy, the other with Liz, both in the ventilation system).