amesmonde A group of teenagers in San Francisco are attacked by homicidal monsters living under the Golden Gate Bridge and set out to prove they are real.Despite its faults, logic, editing, pace and such director Joseph Mangine's ambitious Neon Maniacs counter balances its short comings. Larry Odien, Allan A. Apone and Douglas J. White's make up and practical effects are surprisingly good and the period music score is creatively ominous. To Neon's credit Mangines creates some jump moments notably the bus scene. Paula played by actress Donna Locke (who has disappeared off the planet) has a cute Goonie appeal. Leilani Sarelle's Natalie is a solid lead and not surprisingly went on to do bigger thing. The rest of the cast give typical 80s low budget hammy performances.In retrospect writers Mark Patrick Carducci's ambiguous origins of the Neon Maniacs adds to the films appeal and although uneven with more style over substance it deserves it cult status if only for the 80's nostalgia, it's monsters 'cool' factor and surreal atmosphere.

johnc2141 neon maniacs is one of those really good original horror monster movies from the late 80's.its so weird and creepy and the monsters called the neon maniacs are all different looking creatures,the only thing is their origin is never explained.i had first seen the censored version on the USA cable channel,after that i rented the video and saw all the scenes that were cut out,it does resemble a 1950s monster film in some ways,OK the cops don't believe the teenagers about the monsters.kind of like the blob and invasion of the saucer men.i would have to say neon maniacs is one of my favorite horror monster movies along with the 1980 flop blood beach.sometimes you need a break from some of those generic slasher movies and the Freddy and Jason flicks.neon maniacs delivers some real good scares and suspense.too bad there was never a sequel because the ending kind of hints at that,just like blood beach.i recommend neon maniacs to horror and monster fans like myself.its a blast,10 out of 10.

werethemeatmenandyousuck While I found it ultimately disappointing, it was a nice attempt at being different. The movie had nice costumes,make up and some humor. But it was too uneven. I'm not sure the film makers truly decided what type of movie this was going to be. I disliked the music that was used for background music and I really disliked the live music scenes. The background music was largely responsible for giving the mixed messages about what type of "feel" a scene was supposed to have. i just didn't feel like the scenes that were shot, and what was put together in editing and post-production matched.But for B-movie, Video Nasty people I think its worth one watch.

Aaron1375 This movie seemed to have quite a lot of potential. It jumped out of the gates swinging, but in the end it turns into a bit of a dud. This movie starts out with a guy finding these playing cards with pictures of monsters and stuff on them. The monsters end up being real and they go on a killing rampage. What are they and what is their purpose I don't think is ever revealed. They quickly go kill some kids and I am thinking it was better than what people said. Then comes the standard cops do not believe a thing scene that usually appear in movies of this sort and then a rather interesting dream sequence. Then there is a whole lot of nothing going on. The movie turns into a total snooze fest, as some teens try and figure out what is going on. Then the end comes and it doesn't match up to the beginning and it is just a real letdown after the brisk pace that it started out with. Also, how come these monsters are a problem at all? They happen to have a rather lame weakness that is really quite easy for anyone to use. All in all a movie with potential that falls flat.