| Home > Horror Reviews > Horror Remakes > Friday the 13th (Remake) |
| Rated: 5.00/5 | Votes: 2 | Views: 65 |Submitted: 02/14/09 |
|
FRIDAY THE 13TH Review
By Heather Wixson It’s been about six years since we’ve had Jason up on the big screen (FREDDY VS. JASON) so it’s safe to say that there’s been more than a “bit” of anticipation in the horror community of the reboot of the FRIDAY THE 13TH franchise. Now, after seeing what Platinum Dunes has to offer us fans, I am moderately pleased but not completely won over. True to slasher film conventions, we get the typical “horny/drunk/druggie teens meet bad guy who likes to kill in creative ways” formula. It mostly holds up here as the movie doesn’t bog audiences down with a lot of back-story. While I won’t even claim that FRIDAY THE 13TH is close to being perfect, for the average fan, they’re going to enjoy going this film. For the horror purists, they most likely are not going to be pleased. When you mess with an icon, it is a very delicate balance and I think here, director Marcus Nispell got it about 70% right. Like in the reboots of HALLOWEEN and THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE, we get a glimpse into the back-story of our favorite Camp Crystal Lake maniac Jason Voorhees. We get the usual run-down house with creepy dolls and clutter (seriously- can someone new PLEASE be in charge of set decoration on the NIGHTMARE ON ELM ST. reboot? It’s becoming so “standard” now) and a taste of him watching mommy bite the dust and just what keeps him busy when teens aren’t hanging around, growing weed on his home turf. I won’t get too much into the cast as pretty much everyone puts in a very basic performance, which is bound to happen when you’re playing the horror movie stereotype (douche bag, funny awkward guy, token black guy, and lots of tawdry girls). It is worth noting that Derek Mears does bring back viciousness to Jason that had been lacking up until FvJ and takes Jason back to being a killing machine. Jared Padalecki, as one of main protagonists, really made me miss the fact that I have no time for TV now and I’ve missed this season of “Supernatural.” Overall, the movie is fairly enjoyable enough. The kill scenes are gruesome fun and there are a few “gotcha” moments that left even me surprised. For those looking for a roller-coaster ride horror movie, you’re going to be happy. For those who have closely followed the Jason legacy for the last 30 years, FRIDAY THE 13TH is going to leave you unsatisfied. While I had fun at the movie because I decided I wanted to just “go along with ride,” I am keenly aware that Platinum Dunes is very much sticking to a formula that is starting to get stale in terms of reboots and I am hoping that they can shake things up when Freddy Krueger gets his shot later this year. |
Search | Search the website
Use our search facility to trawl our wide range of content
Contest
Top Members
Username: ArsonCuff
Posts: 332
Username: misterhorror
Posts: 243
Username: terrortu
Posts: 228
Username: heatherwixson
Posts: 135
Username: DavidAsdkl
Posts: 71