Jason Vorhees is Back in a Big Way
I wouldn't consider myself an avid fan of the Friday The 13th series, but I have seen all ten of the previous movies and 2003's Freddy Vs.
Jason and have been told more than I'd like to know about the series thanks to my horror-film-loving boyfriend.
That being said, I willingly went to see the new installation in the series and I actually found it to be quite entertaining for all the right reasons.
The new movie, which was touted as a re-imagining or remake of the first four movies in the popular slasher series, feels more like a sequel than anything else.
Other than the opening sequence, there is nothing in the movie's plot that is directly taken from the originals.
The setting is present day and opens with a group of friends on a camping trip, one of who tells the tale of the machete wielding Jason Vorhees by the campfire.
As the crew winds down, an unexpected visitor arrives at their campsite, causing more than a few disruptions.
Fast forward a month later, and another group of friends are on their way to Crystal Lake for a weekend getaway when they run into Clay (Jared Padalecki) who is looking for his missing sister.
Despite being warned, the group begins to explore and ultimately stumble across the now defunct Camp Crystal Lake.
Bloodshed and panic continue from here.
Friday The 13th was just gory enough to keep fans of the series happy and make it tolerable to watch for the more squeamish (like me).
By keeping the blood and guts to a minimum, the movie had more of a campy feel like its predecessors.
The "kills" were creative and put a new twist on some from the older movies.
There are also a few throwbacks to the original series and other horror movies but you have to be paying attention to realize them.
Unlike many horror movies from this millennium, the performances from the young actors feel genuine and natural.
The cast featured many of the stereotypical roles found in the films of the 80's including the jerk Trent (Travis Van Winkle), the promiscuous girls Chelsea and Bree (Willa Ford and Julianna Guill), the minority figure Chewie (Aaron Yoo), and the girl-next-door Jenna (Danielle Panabaker).
This movie does a good job of updating the series without being over-the-top while mixing scares, gore, and comedy.
I found myself getting into the movie and jumping out of my seat but also smiling and rooting for the characters to take down Mr.
Vorhees.
My few complaints are story related.
First, I could've done without the hunt-for-marijuana plotline.
It doesn't add anything to the movie and just feels forced.
Second, most of the movie takes place in the woods, not at the actual camp.
The characters run past the same sign in the woods that says "Camp Crystal Lake" four or five times and we only see one cabin and some canoes on a rack.
Also, two sets of characters explore the one cabin on two separate occasions.
It was effective the first time, not so much the second time around.
Finally, I would have preferred the plot center around a group of people trying to reopen the camp as opposed to just being in the vicinity of the camp on a vacation.
Ultimately, the movie works for what it was trying to accomplish.
The creative people involved with this project were clearly avid fans of the original movies.
The new Friday feels like a natural progression to the almost thirty-year-old series and is provides a fun and frightening viewing experience for more than just the average horror fan.
Jason and have been told more than I'd like to know about the series thanks to my horror-film-loving boyfriend.
That being said, I willingly went to see the new installation in the series and I actually found it to be quite entertaining for all the right reasons.
The new movie, which was touted as a re-imagining or remake of the first four movies in the popular slasher series, feels more like a sequel than anything else.
Other than the opening sequence, there is nothing in the movie's plot that is directly taken from the originals.
The setting is present day and opens with a group of friends on a camping trip, one of who tells the tale of the machete wielding Jason Vorhees by the campfire.
As the crew winds down, an unexpected visitor arrives at their campsite, causing more than a few disruptions.
Fast forward a month later, and another group of friends are on their way to Crystal Lake for a weekend getaway when they run into Clay (Jared Padalecki) who is looking for his missing sister.
Despite being warned, the group begins to explore and ultimately stumble across the now defunct Camp Crystal Lake.
Bloodshed and panic continue from here.
Friday The 13th was just gory enough to keep fans of the series happy and make it tolerable to watch for the more squeamish (like me).
By keeping the blood and guts to a minimum, the movie had more of a campy feel like its predecessors.
The "kills" were creative and put a new twist on some from the older movies.
There are also a few throwbacks to the original series and other horror movies but you have to be paying attention to realize them.
Unlike many horror movies from this millennium, the performances from the young actors feel genuine and natural.
The cast featured many of the stereotypical roles found in the films of the 80's including the jerk Trent (Travis Van Winkle), the promiscuous girls Chelsea and Bree (Willa Ford and Julianna Guill), the minority figure Chewie (Aaron Yoo), and the girl-next-door Jenna (Danielle Panabaker).
This movie does a good job of updating the series without being over-the-top while mixing scares, gore, and comedy.
I found myself getting into the movie and jumping out of my seat but also smiling and rooting for the characters to take down Mr.
Vorhees.
My few complaints are story related.
First, I could've done without the hunt-for-marijuana plotline.
It doesn't add anything to the movie and just feels forced.
Second, most of the movie takes place in the woods, not at the actual camp.
The characters run past the same sign in the woods that says "Camp Crystal Lake" four or five times and we only see one cabin and some canoes on a rack.
Also, two sets of characters explore the one cabin on two separate occasions.
It was effective the first time, not so much the second time around.
Finally, I would have preferred the plot center around a group of people trying to reopen the camp as opposed to just being in the vicinity of the camp on a vacation.
Ultimately, the movie works for what it was trying to accomplish.
The creative people involved with this project were clearly avid fans of the original movies.
The new Friday feels like a natural progression to the almost thirty-year-old series and is provides a fun and frightening viewing experience for more than just the average horror fan.
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