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!
| Tagline | Where shopping costs you an arm and a leg! |
| Release Date: | Nov 14, 1986 |
| Genres: | Horror, Science Fiction |
| Production Company: | Trinity Pictures, Concorde Pictures |
| Production Countries: | United States of America |
| Casts: | Kelli Maroney, Tony O'Dell, Russell Todd, Karrie Emerson, Barbara Crampton, Nick Segal, John Terlesky, Suzee Slater, Paul Bartel, Mary Woronov, Dick Miller |
| Status: | Released |
| Budget: | $800000 |
| Revenue: | 0 |
***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+
