First, just to clarify, this is a reboot. I know, I know; the word “reboot” does little more than exemplify the ever-increasing stagnation of originality in Hollywood. But for fans of the horror/slasher genre as well as the original Friday the 13th films, don’t let that discourage you from giving this film a chance. Sometimes, a reboot can be a good thing. (Batman, anyone?)
Director Marcus Nispel, director of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre reboot, brings that same wet, gritty and visceral style to this update of the Friday the 13th franchise. It’s a style that meshes perfectly with the re-envisioned Jason Voorhees writers Damian Shannon and Mark Swift (Freddy vs. Jason) had in mind; a Jason that’s faster, more foreboding, and more cunning than the original. For the first time, Jason is truly scary and hard to predict.
Summary: Essentially an amalgamation of the first three original films, a group of twenty-somethings camping near Camp Crystal Lake have the unfortunate pleasure of stumbling upon the current and sole resident, Jason Voorhees. Eviscerations galore ensue as the would-be victims try to understand the mystery that is Jason and somehow survive his murderous rampage.
I’m not going to kid anyone and say that this is a deep and thoughtful film worthy of Oscar nods; it’s a slasher flick. Plain and simple, complete with mediocre acting, thin plot, excessive drinking and drugs, pointless nudity, and over-the-top gore; the basic slasher/horror film tool kit. Yet it’s executed quite well, aside from a few laughable lines of dialogue, which overall melds together for a great popcorn flick. Granted, the film tries to redefine the series as a much darker and grittier experience, but there is still just enough cheese in the film to induct Friday the 13th as a great campy-horror classic.
Compared to films of the same genre, I give it a B+.
~James B. LaPoint
Check out the official website: click here
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February 14th, 2009
No “horror” film will ever come close to the pure genious of “Jack Frost” – After all, who can compete with someone who’s “Chillin’…and Killin’?”
And for true climb-into-your-neighbor’s-lap scary – nothin’s come close to Shutter for me yet. But of course, I’m spouting all this off without actually seeing Friday the 13th. or alot of other horror films for that matter. But I don’t care. That’s the beauty of opinion. You don’t really have to back ‘em up. But I feel pretty strongly that these opinions would hold up regardless.