Director: Mohan Bhakri
Year: 1990
Country: India
Alternate Titles: The New Moon Night
Genre: Creature Feature
Plot:
After being consumed with grief, a dead woman's infant son is turned into a ravenous killer on a specific holiday and forces a detective to bring the killer down, yet when the being is revived more monstrous than before he races to save his family from the creatures' bloodthirsty wrath.
Review:
Overall, this one was a rather silly and goofy genre effort. One of the better aspects featured here is the rather intriguing and enjoyable storyline setting up the demon's rampage and general purpose here. The main backstory here with the mystics' pregnant sister being scorned by society and bestows her black magic secrets to help foster the child into the demonic being it becomes through the process of its birth starts this one off on an incredibly fun note. Likewise, with the resurrection sequence again bringing the creature back to life to continue it's rampage on the family, it manages to offer up some enjoyable scenes of the tantric working her black magic ways fighting her husband for the sake of the demon's existence.
There's also the film's rather strong and impressive action scenes featuring the killer demon out stalking victims. Although still humanoid, there's a creepy feel overall to the first attacks where he stalks the towel-clad victim through the villa or the confrontation at the detective's house which is a rather fun extended sequence here. Armed with several kung-fu fights, a great brawl and some fun stunt-work as well as some atmosphere and action in the escape attempt, this sequence emerges as one of the highlights alongside the first attack when he's resurrected. Taking out the lovers beforehand and using them to start a fantastic chase through the wilderness, there's much to like with this high-energy sequence that nicely prepares this one for the special finale. The hospital rampage where he gets to throw people around has some fun for it and sets up the finale in the factory where they finally discover the seemingly invincible creature's weakness that's exploited in a thrilling scene. These here are what hold the film up.
That said, there are some problems to be had here. The first big issue is the usual problem when it comes to these films in the overlong running time that isn’t earned at all. The padding here mainly comes from the insipid songs throughout here which aren’t that enjoyable and stop the film cold. The nightclub song seems to go on forever with a repetitive beat behind it, the ballad between the young lovers in the rain seems fine but has na oddly tribal flourish that undermines the point and a back-and-forth number between the members of a love-triangle sidestory goes nowhere much like the point of including those characters to begin with. The comedy is somewhat irritating as well with the sniveling assistant becoming annoying and the flustered family members really grows tired making their inclusions feel unneeded, which can also be said of the clumsy kung-fu fights as well.
The last flaw here is the treatment of the killer once he becomes the demon. There’s no real fear to be derived from the silly-looking make-up that looks like mud strategically placed on is faced and outfitted with buck-teeth and rags for clothing yet otherwise looks like an escaped strongman despite using that physicality to great use in the stalking moments. However, the need to constantly focus on it with zoomed-in close-up or to have the killer pop out of absolutely absurd areas to commit attacks on the family also come into focus to make for a silly being, especially when he emerges from inside a bureau to attack the housekeeper in their house despite not being seen entering it or having any natural reason for hiding there without being seen. These here are what hold the film down.
Overview: **.5/5
While there are some minor issues to be had with this one in regards to some questionable pacing issues and a laughable killer, there's enough to like elsewhere here that it becomes watchable amongst those flaws. Give this a chance if you're into these type of cheesy low-budget Bollywood efforts or curious about the film overall, while those who don't enjoy that type of film should heed caution here.
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