Midnight Madness

Midnight Madness is a comedy film from 1980 that follows a group of college students who participate in a city-wide game that takes place overnight throughout Los Angeles. The movie features a youthful and vibrant cast that includes David Naughton, Debra Clinger, and Joel Kenney.

The premise of the game is that a mysterious game master named Leon (played by comedian Stephen Furst) has designed a series of clues and challenges for the participants to solve in order to win the game. The students are divided into teams, each with their own unique strengths and weaknesses. These teams include a group of sorority girls, a group of jocks, and a team of nerds.

The film opens with Leon giving a speech to the assembled students, introducing them to the rules of the game and the various challenges they will face. From there, the teams set off into the city, using their intelligence, creativity, and teamwork to solve puzzles and navigate obstacles.

The challenges presented in the game range from solving riddles to performing physical stunts to outsmarting the other teams. One particularly memorable challenge involves the teams having to use walkie-talkies and a series of cryptic clues to find their way to a specific location in the city.

As the night progresses, each team begins to unravel as they face more difficult challenges and encounter unexpected obstacles. Tempers flare, alliances are formed and broken, and the teams are forced to contend with both external challenges and their own personal demons.

One of the central conflicts in the film revolves around the two team leaders, Adam (David Naughton) and Scott (Joel Kenney). Adam is a laid-back and easy-going guy who wants to win the game for the thrill of it, while Scott is a competitive and aggressive jock who will stop at nothing to achieve victory. The tension between these two characters drives much of the film's plot, as they constantly clash over strategy and approach.

The film also features a romantic subplot between Naughton's character and his girlfriend, who is part of another team. Their relationship is strained by the competition, as Adam becomes more and more obsessed with winning the game and neglects his girlfriend's feelings.

Overall, Midnight Madness is a charming and enjoyable comedy that captures the fun and excitement of a city-wide scavenger hunt. The film's energetic cast and engaging challenges make for a fun and entertaining viewing experience. Fans of '80s comedies and adventure movies will find plenty to enjoy in this classic film.