"Jasons a legend Ginny, a legend". And so he has become. The year is 2011. This summer marks 10 years since I became heavily interested in the Friday the 13th films and in order to mark this anniversary, I will, and must, review ALL 8 films. Thats right, I said 8. Never mind that New Line drivel. I'm talking the original eight Paramount films which built the legacy of Jason Voorhees, a masked killer that no 80s rival could keep up with in terms of movies made. Last September, I reviewed the original slasher classic Friday the 13th, so one is done and seven to go. We begin this great summer (and end a long CotF hiatus) with a great movie! I shall attempt to review the remaining Friday films at a slow pace, so I can write them throughout the length of the summer. That just feels more right to me rather than rush them out all within a week or two. Friday 2, almost picks up where the first left off. Alice Hardy the heroine of the original, is dispatched by an unknown spectre after finding a head in her fridge. Fast forward through an awesome opening credits and five years, and another group of counselors in training is getting set for their journey to Crystal Lake. Not the original campsite, but perilously close. The camp director is Paul Holt, a likable lead for a film. He is frustrated when girlfriend Ginny arrives late but no matter. By night time he is telling his subordinates the legend of Jason Voorhees around a creepy campfire. Everyone is safe, for tonight. It is not until the second night when the carnage truly begins. We are treated to a slashed throat or two, a machete in the face, double-impaling during sex and so forth. As with the first review, we all know the familiar formula with these films. As in the original, the begining of the thunderstorm is superbly shot and creates a perfect atmosphere that $200 million worth of CGI effects usually fails to buy. Of great note is the end sequence, with final girl Ginny, in an epic Jason chase, perhaps the most epic in a slasher film. The final chase is well done and is somewhat nerve racking.
One case of this review, is just how unique this film is from other slasher films. In 1981, the formula of the slasher film was still finding it's groove. Rules had been set somewhat, but nothing was yet concrete. Part 2 certainly is an exception to many films of it's kind. For one, the most annoying character, LIVES! Yes. Ginny, the most intelligent girl to ever fight Jason Voorhees, has implied sex towards the begining of the film! No lie. Ginny and Paul Holt have amazing chemistry that you wouldn't expect in a slasher film. No seriously, they work well with one another. These examples perhaps seem trivial, pointless to mention, but given the context and the generally accepted rules of slasher flicks, I believe it merits mention. The film is also unique among the Jason outings in that it is the only film where our hero is without his hockey mask (Unless you count the dream at the end of part one, I don't, it's a dream). Regardless, it is a fact of the 80s that this film stands out for a few simple, if not immediatley noticeable reasons. It's hard to believe 30 years have gone by since this slasher epic.
There are a few "different" things about this picture as well. After an early possible half-tribute to Psycho, we see that Jason makes a phone call. We see Jason's "house", and I use that term loosely. We even see him cower from a chainsaw (this is before he was undead). A clever shot of a dog walking up to Jason early in the film switches right away to hot dogs being barbecued, always getting a slight scoff out of me. One thing I always notice is the improvement of the dialogue over the first film. It feels more natural. MOST of the actors are better and they should be, considering Paramount tripled the budget from the first. I love this movie.
Recently, I've taken notice of Roger Ebert's hate campaign against these films when they were new. I have much to say about this, but I would prefer to talk about it in a recap, at summer's end. It's not perfect, it has it's faults, oh believe me, but it is best to think of this film as an automatic reactionary piece, made to generate a few bucks and scares rather than to contribute to modern art. These movies were made to be seen once. Paramount had no idea they could milk this cash cow as much as they have and continue to do, along with New Line and Platinum Dunes with the sub-par remake and the obvious sequels to come. Part 2 was a commercial success with $21 million, but it's receipts were still barely half of the original. Thank the Lord they continued to make them. Part 2 MIGHT be my favourite Friday, but parts one and four offer steady competition. So there it is, my first true review in a long time. If you're getting into summer vacation slasher mode, why not pop this fucker in your VCR, DVD, or perhaps even Blu Ray player? FOUR STARS OUT OF FIVE.
ORIGINAL, LOST POSTER
No comments:
Post a Comment