Mark Hartley returns to explore another world of exploitation, this time looking at the fiery, wheel-dealing duo of Menahem Golan and Yoram Globus and the rise and fall of their movie company Cannon Films. ELECTRIC BOOGALOO has been a documentary I have been eagerly waiting for and it does deliver on nearly all fronts. It examines how the Israeli tag team shook up the foundations of Hollywood and changed how the industry would move forward, for better or worse; the star factor being tied with double-digit million salaries, the blending of popcorn and art fare into the yearly portfolio, and ramping up the international selling side of present and future films would all be innovated and popularized by them. Other than looking at the goofy pair and the endless quotes and stories that the interviewees recount of them, Hartley of course partakes in the visual wow and sheer schlock Golan-Globus helped generate. Noted Cannon players such as Michael Winner, Chuck Norris, and Tobe Hooper are covered and everything from THE APPLE to DEATH WISH III to RUNAWAY TRAIN to SUPERMAN IV are analyzed and put through the ringer. Though I practically loved this rush of cinematic pomp and circumstance and its core slobs vs. snobs attitude, I sadly have to deduct points from it because Hartley handles the subject the exact same way as he had with NOT QUITE HOLLYWOOD and MACHETE MAIDENS UNLEASHED! The font, the flashy intro comprises of clips and poster art, the split-screening and even the interview setup are all replicated. The adage of "if it's not broke, don't fix it" was severely enforced by the Australian explorer. Nevertheless, ELECTRIC BOOGALOO is a fantastic journey through the 80's movie world and the bizarre antics going on in front and behind the camera.
FINAL REVIEW: 4 / 5
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