The 1980s were a really weird time for movies. I say this as an opener because it is relevant to Frankie Freako. If someone told me that this had been ripped from that decade and sent forward in time to now, I would have absolutely no qualms in believing them. Everything about this feels so uniquely retro to the days of my youth.
From the title to the look of the film, from the effects to the acting and props…. Everything feels really Troma, or Troma lite. I don’t say that as a negative thing at all. I was always a fan of that kind of thing. I grew up on it all in the 80s after all. Yet, while not being negative as a point, that’s also kind of the issue I have with it. It feels dated, heavily dated, despite being a brand-new film.
Frankie Freako is a weird film, but weird for 40 years ago… for now, it’s just odd. They haven’t made films like this properly for a long time, and there’s a reason for that. Societal expectations have changed, and this kind of film, as big as they were way back when, simply doesn’t resonate in the same way with modern audiences.
I want to make it clear that I really enjoyed this film immensely, but looking at it through the eyes of a teenage boy watching it from the 80s. As a critical viewer from 2025, I have to look at it as it is, and in all honesty, it’s really not good enough for modern cinema. The effects don’t look good, the acting is terrible, and the overall film feels like a mid-budget student movie.
I’m really not trying to be negative because I did genuinely enjoy watching this, but I have to be realistic. This is not a film that will be enjoyed by a big audience these days. There is a definite section of society, similar in age to myself, that will love this for the same reasons I do, but that audience is likely to be limited.
Overall, I did have a lot of fun watching this, but it’s really not a good film. It’s gross and cheesy in all the best ways this kind of film used to be, and if you loved them back then, you’ll likely love this now. I’d still suggest that everyone check this out. You might have a lot of fun or you might not, but you’ll never know until you try. 3/5…..
Source: Blazing Minds – Review by Simon Henderson.