Maximum Overdrive is directed by Stephen King and proves how a great writer doesn’t make for a great director. Clive Barker erased that belief with his debut Hellraiser (#19). For his 2nd film, he got a lot more ambitious. You could also describe this Fantasy, Sci-fi, Action Horror film as grandiose, indulgent and unwieldy. With a still pretty small budget and a wild imagination, Barker tackles a familiar theme where a secret society of creatures deemed “monsters” because of their physical appearance clash with violent humans including a very calm psychopath hiding his bloodlust under a twisted alter identity. That character, played with a brilliant calm by director David Cronenberg, steals the film with ease.
Logic has always worked against this film. Even in its longer Director’s Cut the story problems don’t go away. However, the overall creature design is impressive. The Nightbreed are unsettling designs that would make George Lucas’ creature cantina uncomfortable. Many possess unique abilities or physical weapons. Some, like the story, don’t make much sense, but the fast pace helps a lot and Barker never runs out of new sets, creatures and camera tricks to show us. It’s a mess, but one created by excess creativity.
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