Since the release of Scream in 1996, I have considered myself a huge horror fan. In 2003, I wrote my first film review for the re-creation of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. Calling it 'rip-roaring fun,' I created a bit of controversy as letters were written in to the paper's editor, proclaiming that violence in cinema had gone too far. And now, in 2009, the same guys are back at it again, this time with a 're-invention' of the 1980 classic, Friday the 13th.
With the term 're-invention' comes the expected upgrade in the form of blood, deaths and authenticity. However, unlike Massacre, which featured an unprecedented amount of violence, Friday the 13th pays homage to its original, upgrading it, but still paying tribute to its iconic cinema status.
Fresh out of the gates, the film quickly sets its tone with an intense, fun and fast moving opening sequence. Featuring a heavy amount of intensity, discovery and violence, the first twenty minutes play like a short film, grasping your attention and fortunately hold it throughout the rest of the feature.
The deaths, though high in number, are low in terms of creativity. There are stereotypical encounters, many of which have already made their way to the big screen in one way or another; and every blood incident is easily foreseeable. However, with that being said, it is this constant reminder of the original that made me respect and enjoy this Friday as much as I did.
The story, though not a complete reinvention, is generic to the core. There are the teens, most of which bare it all for the cameras. Then there is Camp Crystal Lake, the place where it all began. Jason, as well as his mother, is a legend to the locals and an unknown to the travelers. Yet it only takes one glance inside the old camp cabins to realize that the property that has supposedly been left to rot, it actually playing home to one of the world's most notorious and iconic mass murders.
Standing at a devilish height and possessing an unprecedented amount of strength, Jason hovers over his prey, stalking them as they attempt to have fun on his watch. His moves, bearish and heavy, don't allow him to move quietly, yet his strength nullifies the fact within seconds. He carries not a cent of remorse as he kills at will, sparing no one....well, almost no one.
As the body count rises and those left standing begin to come together, the film tanks to a typical and oh so generic conclusion. Within a matter of moments, Jason's power is depleted, his intelligence is thrown to the wind as he finds himself at the stem of a trap...all because of a coveted locket.
The final seconds bring back a strong reminiscent of the first film, generating a last change fright for those in the audience; however, by that time, the audience is nearly out of their seat; content, though a bit disappointed.
