The Film (3/5)

     Splatter University is the debut film by Richard W. Haines which was released after the "golden era" of the slasher boom by Troma Entertainment. Troma would go-on to make Haines the director on their all time classic Class of Nuke 'Em High, though he would be downgraded to a co-directing position with Lloyd Kaufman and Michael Herz joining him in the role.

    Splatter University is not the best slasher ever made, but as a fan of the genre I found it quite fun. The film opens with a killer escaping from a mental asylum after killing his doctor. 3 years later we got another murder, this one of a teacher on the St. Trinians College campus. Enter Julie Parker the replacement for the murdered teacher, who rents an apartment that was an earlier crime scene.   Julie begins to find herself surrounded by murders, while trying to adapt to her new life.

    Splatter University is a film I haven't seen in about 20 years, and when I did it was on a cut to Hell VHS rental tape.  At the time I wasn't impressed but watching the film now, I found myself falling for its cheesy charms. I am unsure if this is a film that Troma picked up, or they were involved in making it, but unlike the other early Troma produced Slasher  Graduation Day, Splatter University feels like it is more in tone with 80's Troma productions as a solid mix of violence and low brow comedy with some solid social subtext thrown in for good measure.

    The film starts off well enough  with 2 murders scenes, but then slows down during the next 2/3's of the film before picking up at the end. The in-between falls into a slow mostly uneventful groove, but manages to keep a basic entertainment level. The film is populated by some quirky and distinct characters from Julie's students to the wheelchair bound Father who presides over the school.  Overall, Splatter University is an interviewing entry into the slasher genre, not the best, but a solid time to be had by fans.

Audio/Video (3.5/5)

    Splatter University comes to Blu-ray via Vinegar Syndrome with a new 2k scan of the 16mm film elements.  As such this is probably the best the film will ever look with a solidly detailed transfer, sporting a nice organic look to it.   The colors of the film are mostly muted, but color reproduction here is quite solid.

    Audio is handled by a DTS-HD Mono track that sounds quite solid with dialogue and score coming through crisp and clear.

Extras (3/5)

    Extras for Splatter University include  an audio interview with film composer Christopher Burke, a commentary with Haines, and another by the Hysteria Continues.  There is also a theme song, script gallery, still gallery, radio spots, trailers, and more.

Overall

    Splatter University is an interesting but unremarkable slasher film that feels like a solid blend of slasher violence and Troma style comedy. The Blu-ray looks and sounds fine and has solid extras HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.