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High-tech robots equipped with state-of-the-art security devices have been recruited as the new mechanical "night watchmen" for the Park Plaza Mall. When a jolting bolt of lightning short-circuits the main computer control, the robots turn into "killbots" on the loose after unsuspecting shoppers!
Alison Parks
Ferdy Meisel
Rick Stanton
Linda Stanton
Suzie Lynn
Mike Brennan
Leslie Todd
Paul Bland
Mary Bland
Walter Paisley
Technician Nessler
Cook
Miss Vanders
Dr. Simon
Mr. Todd
Janitor #2
Burglar
Dr. Carrington
***Killer security robots at a Southern Cal mall*** Security robots at a Los Angeles mall malfunction after a lightning strike and become a deadly threat to a group of youths partying at a furniture store after hours. “Chopping Mall” (1986) takes the malevolent robot idea of “Westworld” (1973) and places it in the mall setting of “Dawn of the Dead” (1978) with robots that look like malicious versions of “Short Circuit” (1986) and R2D2. “RoboCop” didn’t debut until the next year. Winsome girl-next-door Kelli Maroney is a highlight as protagonist Alison while Russell Todd from “Friday the 13th Part 2” (1981) is stalwart as Rick. Suzee Slater as Leslie is a’right. This is a spirited Grade B flick but at the end of the day it’s a throwaway; it’s fun and well-executed, but somehow hollow and forgettable. The movie runs 1 hour, 17 minutes, and was shot in Los Angeles at the Sherman Oaks Galleria, which was also used in “Fast Times at Ridgemont High” (1982) and “Terminator 2: Judgment Day” (1991). GRADE: B-/C+
November 14, 1986
Alison Parks
Ferdy Meisel
Rick Stanton
Linda Stanton
Suzie Lynn
Mike Brennan
Leslie Todd
Paul Bland
Mary Bland
Walter Paisley
Technician Nessler
Cook
Miss Vanders
Dr. Simon
Mr. Todd
Janitor #2
Burglar
Dr. Carrington
***Killer security robots at a Southern Cal mall*** Security robots at a Los Angeles mall malfunction after a lightning strike and become a deadly threat to a group of youths partying at a furniture store after hours. “Chopping Mall” (1986) takes the malevolent robot idea of “Westworld” (1973) and places it in the mall setting of “Dawn of the Dead” (1978) with robots that look like malicious versions of “Short Circuit” (1986) and R2D2. “RoboCop” didn’t debut until the next year. Winsome girl-next-door Kelli Maroney is a highlight as protagonist Alison while Russell Todd from “Friday the 13th Part 2” (1981) is stalwart as Rick. Suzee Slater as Leslie is a’right. This is a spirited Grade B flick but at the end of the day it’s a throwaway; it’s fun and well-executed, but somehow hollow and forgettable. The movie runs 1 hour, 17 minutes, and was shot in Los Angeles at the Sherman Oaks Galleria, which was also used in “Fast Times at Ridgemont High” (1982) and “Terminator 2: Judgment Day” (1991). GRADE: B-/C+
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