There would be many a great horror movie released in 1988 including Child’s Play, Maniac Cop, Waxwork, The Serpent and the Rainbow and so forth. Almost too many and yet, also released that same year would be Dead Heat. It is a film that may not have lived up to those listed, but one that was just as enjoyable due to the sheer insanity of it all.

Blending horror, comedy, cops and zombies, Dead Heat would find little audience upon its release and critics would not be very kind to it either, but there is that Eighties charm about it, that sheen that almost every movie from that decade seems to sport. While the movie might have its negatives, there are things one cannot help but like within. One of the better things, which took little trying on the part of the writers, was the lead character’s name: Roger Mortis. Clever and not-so-clever at the same time. Out of everything, it is perhaps the funniest thing about this entire picture, though writer Terry Black kept trying to pepper the movie with things he thought the audience might like. Most of it would fall flat, even by Eighties standards. Through it all, and maybe because of that extremely fluffy comedy, the atmosphere stayed fairly light, even with the zombies. The horror element was not exactly scary, but it worked, and it kept the audience watching, waiting to see what might happen next.

Treat Williams and Joe Piscopo would make for a solid on-screen team, taking the leads and giving the viewers someone to root for throughout the entire affair. Williams is always dependable, and Piscopo, who may not be the greatest stage actor, is good, and the two keep things moving in a fast-paced affair that rarely slows down. Making this film even better is the presence of the great Darren McGavin and horror Stalwart Vincent Price, in one of his last screen roles, and really, it would have been nice to see these two in far more of the movie than they were. The cast makes the best of what they are given, and you never feel bored, as the action and the zombies keep coming. Though the cast was good, the zombies were something else: not the regular shambling undead, but horrific, mutant-like creatures that would cause a nightmare or two for anyone who ran into them.

One scene in particular sets this film apart: it takes place in a butcher shop where everything comes back to life. A pig’s carcass with its head already removed tries to attack our heroes, while duck heads and everything else around them that one could imagine now shake with life. Terrifying and hilarious at the same time, the special effects were on point, and you can’t help but love the imagination behind this part of the movie.

Suffice it to say, Dead Heat was an entertaining romp that might have tried too hard at times, but did it well when it counted the most. Some of the comedy might not have landed as well as it should, but the rest made up for whatever shortcomings the film had and is well worth seeking out.

3.5 out of 5