A young man named Eric apparently dies in a suspicious house fire after saving his girlfriend, Melody. One year later, a new mall is constructed atop where Eric's house once stood, where a shadowy, uninvited guest is preying on the mall's crooked developers.
Has a couple moments and decent kills, especially during the finale, but otherwise pretty bland 1980s horror take of Phantom of the Opera. I did like the lead (Kari Whitman) well enough (though thought her friend, played by Kimer Sissons was cuter) and can't say I was terribly bored, yet doubt I have any interest revisiting. Kind of blends in with most of the horror films that came out of the 80s. **2.5/5**
**_Phantom of the Opera set at an American mall in the ’80s_**
A new mall is opening in the San Fernando Valley, but it has dubious beginnings, which might explain the mysterious psycho lurking its nether regions (Derek Rydall). Morgan Fairchild plays the mayor while Jonathan Goldsmith is on hand as the greedy mall owner; Pauly Shore appears as an employee and Rob Estes a reporter.
“Phantom of the Mall: Eric's Revenge” (1989) takes the milieu of "Chopping Mall" (1986) and inserts the Phantom of the Opera story with bits of De Palma’s “Phantom of the Paradise” (1974). It’s comic booky 80’s horror with almost a (cheesy) superhero approach, although things turn insane in the last act.
Kari Whitman is a highlight on the feminine front as protagonist Melody while Kimber Sissons is on hand as statuesque Suzie. Of course, Morgan is her usual striking self.
The film runs 1 hour, 31 minutes, and was shot at Promenade Mall in Woodland Hills (also used in "Fast Times at Ridgemont High") and Sherman Oaks Galleria with studio stuff done in Valencia, all in the Los Angeles area.
GRADE: B-/C+
