If you don't like this, we can't be friends.

Fun premise, good actors, bad writing. This film seemed to have potential at the beginning but it quickly devolves into a trite action film. Ultimately it's very boring.

The plot isn't so bad, but the pace of storytelling is too slow which makes people bored. Certain moments are so obvious and unnecessary for the main plot. I would've fast-forwarded those moments if it was an online streaming. The ending looks like implying a sequel, not sure if this movie will get one

It's simply great fun, a winsome film and an occasionally over-the-top luxury fantasy that never flags.

When old (and by 'old' I mean in the eighties!) horror films are discussed, you normally hear about the Friday 13th and Nightmare on Elm Street franchises. Granted, they were the most successful, yet for some reason the unsubtly-titled 'Maniac Cop' never really gets a mention. This is surprising for two reasons: the first is that it stars Evil Dead lynchpin Bruce Campbell and, secondly, it's actually quite good.Okay, so when I say 'good' I kind of mean that it's good if you know what you're getting. And you should. In the same way as if you watched 'Snakes on a Plane' you should know what kind of film you're about to sit down to. Maniac Cop is a horror, vaguely slasher film, although rather than having an unstoppable brute mercilessly stalking a bunch of over-sexed teens, you have an unstoppable, well, maniac policeman stalking people in a major U.S. city.But, fear not good citizens, for every nut-job with a badge who wants to hack you to pieces for running a red light, there's an honest cop waiting to solve the mystery (and a mayor who doesn't want to admit that there's a problem – kind of like that official in 'Jaws,' but we're dealing with a shark with a truncheon here). So, our decent, law-abiding boy in blue sets out to investigate the strange sightings of a cop out of control. But our hero isn't Bruce Campbell. He's also in it, but spends a large portion of the film in a cell. That's not really a spoiler as it happens almost directly after meeting him. However, he does – as in many cheesy horror films – tend to steal every scene he's in and the film wouldn't be half so much fun without him (even if his 'boomstick' never makes an appearance.As I mentioned, Maniac Cop never received the attention other – equally B-movie – horror flicks got and perhaps that's because it's (if I'm being generous) a little uneven (and if you don't like the film you'll probably call it 'all over the place plot-wise). It's like it really wants to be taken seriously as a film, yet exhibits no real traits of anything other than a B-movie horror film. Everyone plays it straight and there's nothing particularly tongue-in-cheek here. The plot has various elements and threads which start heading in one direction, only to go off in another. Like I said, this could be a deliberate attempt to mislead the audience by the writer, or it could just be sloppy writing. We may never know.However, what I do know is that Maniac Cop – for all its numerous faults – is actually quite good fun and well worth a watch if you're into horror (and Jason-style slasher) films in general. See it quickly before it's remade for the worse (Evil Dead, I'm looking at you).

Although Larry Cohen's script is a bit of a mess and fails to explain just how Z'Dar can do what he does despite being shot numerous times by multiple cops and receiving multiple stab wounds from a chiv in prison; Lustig's direction keeps the pace going and offers a stylistic touch that almost rescues the film from its bouts with plot incredulity. The casting is so good, too, that it serves as a bonus. That unnerving score (especially when Z'Dar is attacked in prison) further adds gravitas. Tom Atkins, as the chief detective trying to solve the Z'Dar murders, is recognized as the star (few gave him such a position), while Bruce Campbell as a cop framed for civilian executions is credited in right behind him. After two successful Evil Dead films, Campbell is behind the guy so rarely placed ahead of anybody (but couldn't deserve to more!)…kinda cool. Robert Z'Dar got a real plum part in this movie which he was always remembered for: the definitive hulking monster in a cop uniform who can snap your neck with ease, toss you around like a rag doll, and withstand rounds of ammunition (including shots and knife slashes to the face!). I think the key to whether or not this film is successful to the viewer is their acceptance that practically nothing can stop him. I just wonder how this film would have been received had the maniac cop purposed his mission specifically at corrupt cops and law enforcement who wronged him. Sheree North had a small but pivotal role as a crippled filing clerk who was romantic with Z'Dar and knows of his murderous activities. Laurene Landon is Campbell's narcotics officer lover on the side, knowing of his innocence because she was with him when Z'Dar murdered his estranged wife. Richard Roundtree as the commish and raspy-voiced William Smith as police captain round out an impressive cast…they believe wholeheartedly that Campbell was behind a massacre when all evidence leads to someone far more powerful than him behind them. I think that is just one of several reasons this film is far-fetched: how could Campbell seriously commit the crimes like those that happened in the police station (hanging officers, such an example) when it would take overwhelming force in order to do so? Atkins' fate remains a shocker and I personally found it hard to watch…he's just a beloved cult figure. Good action at the end has a fun chase as Z'Dar, commandeering a police van (with Campbell inside), flees the St Patty parade with Landon and the officer driving in hot pursuit. Sam Raimi as an uncharismatic reporter, was wise to stick with directing, although it was still a nifty cameo. Campbell as the cheating husband and hero by default was an interesting script decision, including his continued suspicion as the killer. The confession of the prison coroner that Z'Dar was salvaged from near death when all signs would indicate *no one* could survive that kind of blood loss (and just how Campbell and Landon could get into the prison to talk to him) further comments on how implausible Cohen's script is. Still, truth be told, I always find myself entertained by the film just the same…sometimes direction can overcome details that make little sense. Z'Dar is a really scary dude. I actually prefer the extended version with Ken Lerner as the corrupt Mayor and Leo Rossi as his complimentary assistant as their inclusion gives meat to the reasoning behind why Z'Dar was sent to prison and the motivating factor fueling his rage.

While in previews this is made out to be a horror movie, its really more of an old fashioned action movie, although it certainly has elements of horror in it. This is the first in the "Maniac cop" series followed by two sequels, and stars cult favorites Bruce Campbell and the late Robert Z'dar, who cits quite the imposing figure as the silent, disgraced psychotic Matt Cordell, the title character of the movie series. While it's never made all that clear, at least in this first film, but in the sequels its quite clear, but in this we are made to assume that Cordell is a zombie like figure. As in most early to mid 80's action/horror films, the acting abilities of everyone involved varies. Some such as Campbell and Richard Roundtree are decent, while others are just horrible, such as the actress who plays Campbell's wife. All in all, this is a decent movie to start the series with, and the two sequels that followed are decent as well. If anything its a good brace of movies for a midnight viewing party

Tom Atkins, Bruce Campbell and Robert Z'Dar star in this 1988 horror film. This takes place in New York and begins with a woman getting murdered by a mysterious killer (Z'Dar) dressed as a police officer. Soon, the killer stalks the streets and wipes out more innocent people. Atkins (Halloween III: Season of the Witch, Night of the Creeps) plays Police Lieutenant, Frank McCrae who investigates and suspects that the killer is a real cop. Campbell (Evil Dead Trilogy) plays cop, Jack Forrest who becomes the main suspect after his wife is murdered. Frank discovers that the maniac cop is Matt Cordell, a former cop who was badly scarred while in prison for brutality and is out for vengeance. Frank helps Jack clear his name and try to stop Matt from killing more people. This is a pretty good 80's flick, Tom & Bruce are great as usual, Robert is creepy and Jay Chattaway's score is chilling. I recommend this.