REVIEW: Friday the 13th Part 2

Friday the 13^th Part 2

Director: Steve Miner

Year 1981

Friday the 13^th Part 2 is a rather successful and straight-forward sequel to the 1980 hit horror flick, Friday the 13^th. Continuing the story from the bloody aftermath of the first film, Part 2 generates that same toxic atmosphere and gory love lust that the original possessed while bringing on board a whole new group of victims to toy with. Extremely moody and wholly set in its era, this outstandingly entertaining slasher has a great cast of characters and an ample set of interesting kills, adding up to an extremely enjoyable romp in the now famous Crystal Lake.

The film begins five years after the horrible events at Camp Crystal Lake, with a whole new group of camp counselors preparing for the start of a new season at an adjacent camp. Everything goes according to plan, that is until a stranger in the woods begins to stalk the young counselors, murdering them one by one. Could the legend of Jason Voorhees be true? Could he have survived his tragic drowning as a child and witnessed the murder of his mother a mere handful of years ago, which consequently forged a hatred and insatiable blood lust inside of him over the years which is finally now being unleashed upon the cursed people of Crystal Lake? Apparently, yes. There's only one real question to ask. Who will survive this death cursed town?

Friday the 13^th has a smorgasbord of characters within its diverse ranks, and each one seems served to meet a cold and harsh death. In true slasher fashion, the cast is made up of stereotypical fodder who ultimately exist to be taken out by the iconic killer Jason Voorhees. Still there are a few standouts who really shine in their individual roles. Amy Steel takes on the role of Ginny Field, the central player of the piece who is the only one who believes that the legend of Jason Voorhees is real. Steel gives Ginny a feisty personality, which helps differentiate her character from the rest of the pack, yet she still has an underplayed feel to her that allows her to come off as genuine. Heroically portrayed and able to mix it up in a horror setting, Steel gives a great performance for the series.

Aside from Steel, the rest of the cast sticks to their mold almost too perfectly. John Furey takes on the role of the typical boyfriend Paul Holt, Kirsten Baker plays the short shorts wearing eye-candy Terry, Stuart Charno goes off on a limb and portrays the extremely nerdy Ted, Marta Kober and Bill Randolph take on the sex craved teens Sandra and Jeffrey, Russell Todd valiantly embodies the pretty boy trouble maker Scott, Tom McBride plays the wheelchair bound athlete Mark, while Lauren-Marie Taylor hones in as his love-sick admirer Vickie. They are predictably stereotypical, but that isn't necessarily a bad thing, especially in an 80's slasher flick. Each one of them fits perfectly within the genre, and their various antics and untimely deaths are all the more interesting. Of course I can't forget Walt Gorney as Crazy Ralph, who reprises his iconic role from the first film in the same fantastically creepy way, including famous catch-phrase, “You're all doomed!”

If you are a fan of the series, then of course you know that this is where Jason Voorhees truly debuts and what an unusual introduction it is. Void of a hockey mask and covered by a sack of all things, Voorhees is still as creepy as ever, and it's interesting to see this early depiction of the iconic character before he really blew up on the horror cinema scene. I for one had the backward experience of viewing all of these films in a somewhat reverse nature, seeing that I didn't get fully introduced to the character until in my teens when the series was already up to part 9. With that being said, I always found it interesting to see this early iteration of Voorhees as some backwoods hillbilly with a sack on his head. It's strange and unsettling, but it fits perfectly against the overall approach of the original, making for an intriguing linear flow that maps out the growth of this ever expanding horror series and its larger than life killer star.

As for the atmosphere of Friday the 13^th Part 2, it successfully captures the succinct and haunting tone of the original. With its secluded camp setting, its genuine dread, and its vivid practicality in showcasing one horrific kill after another, Part 2 mirrors the magic of its predecessor without cheapening it to a run of the mill, pale imitation. Though it runs through the same formulaic attributes of the original, it still maintains its own sense of self worth by expanding on the mythology of Crystal Lake and introducing us to a badass killer in the form of Jason Voorhees. He may not have the iconic hockey mask, but the terror and mayhem that he leaves in his wake is just the same. Though lacking in Tom Savini's in your face special effects, it still manages to maintain a voice of its own, one that is bloody, savage, and oh so much fun.

Friday the 13^th Part 2 is a highly enjoyable flick. Churning out that same quality that made the original such a smash hit, director Steve Miner and company play it safe for the most part, as they attempt to expand on the mythos of the Friday the 13^th universe. Jason Voorhees' introduction is one that is most unexpected, and I'm sure that during the film's debut that his appearance in the flick was quite a shock to the pace of the series. The diverse cast of characters are another nice aspect of the production, with the stereotypical bunch coming off as likeable and wholly memorable.

The inclusion of the original's Adrienne King in the beginning of the film and being able to witness her continued story, is another nice touch that starts things off with a bang, consequently introducing us to the new baddie of the series. It's a hard task to be able to match the quiet and unsettling atmosphere of the original, but the filmmakers give a great effort in maintaining a seamless transition between each entries. With its high body count, unforgettable characters, and powerful mood, Friday the 13^th Part 2 is a worthy successor to the highly heralded originator of the series. If you haven't watched it in a while, give it a go. It's as fun as ever. Friday the 13^th Part 2 is.....

You know what I'm going to say motherfucker!

Hey asshole!

Camp Crystal Lake? Sounds like a fun place.

Oh sweet sassafras!

Ralph! Nooooooooo!

Words to live by.

This guy is just so kooky.

They really need to put up a Voorhees Crossing Sign on this road.

Living in the lap of luxury.

Please hammer don't hurt em!

Look what I caught.... a pervert!

Shout! Shout! Let it all out! You tell them Tears for Fears.

Look ma.... No poop stains!

Now that's just wrong Jason!

Sorry to wake you Sack Man.

Say cheese! Now that's a keeper!

Ginny you back stabber!

How about a hug!

REVIEW: Friday the 13th

Friday the 13^th

Director: Sean S. Cunningham

Year 1980

Friday the 13^th is the epitome of the 80's slasher. Gory, wild, and full of atmospheric dread, this granddaddy of the genre is a moody force benefiting from a fresh-faced young cast and an impressive effects department. Spearheading the trademark archetypes of the slasher genre, the film moves headlong into what would soon become a cinematic phenomenon, spawning countless imitators and a generation of horror fanatics. A classic in its own right, Friday the 13^th earns its iconic status as it has just the right amount of mood and horror to unsettle you, as it does character and lasting charm.

The film follows a group of camp counselors as they prepare for the coming season at Camp Crystal Lake to begin. During their preparations they are stalked by an unknown assailant and are picked off, one by one. But who could this mysterious murderer be and could it have something to do with the tragic death of a young camper in Crystal Lake's past? With so many questions there's one thing for certain, and that is that this place has a death curse!

Friday the 13^th, like all entertaining slasher films, has a great assortment of characters to help mix things up. Adrienne King rises to the task as Alice Hardy the surprisingly resilient counselor that proves too hard to kill. King is an interesting choice, as her character pretty much blends into the background during the early moments of the film and doesn't stand out until most of the cast has been killed, but I guess that lends to the fact that these were the early years of the genre, when things weren't so cliché and predictable. King does a great job as she gives a tremendously underplayed performance, playing the quiet and conservative young counselor and her genuine take on the character is rather impressionable.

The real memorable characters of the film are the supporting cast, as they show the more wild and promiscuous sides of the group. Lining up the various victims we have Kevin Bacon as Jack Burrel, Jeannine Taylor as Marcie Cunningham, Robbi Morgan as Annie, Harry Crosby as Bill, Laurie Bartram as Brenda, and Mark Nelson as Ned Rubinstein. Each of these actors feel natural and credible as a group of teenagers, and that combined genuine tone gives the film a believable foundation to support the gruesome things to come. Now truthfully there's nothing outstanding about the individual performances, it's just that they are played so authentically and naturally that it aids greatly in making the world of Friday the 13^th seem tangible. As for the performance that really explodes the film into motion, that credit would go to Betsy Palmer as Pamela Voorhees. Her character's dual personality is a thing of demented beauty and she really takes charge of the film when she bursts onto the scene. Off kilter and truly devilish, Palmer goes out on a limb to really inject a sense of dementia into the mix, giving stark realization that this film and its subject matter are quite out of their mind.

Aside from the cast, the real stars of Friday the 13^th are the atmosphere, locations, and special effects. There's nothing as potent as a secluded camp in the middle of no-where, aside a still lake, and this production makes great use of this tried and true scenario. The imagery and ambiance of the movie is top notch, often becoming so overpowering and weighty that you find yourself being sucked in to the visuals. This is all balanced perfectly with a pace and approach that is somewhat laid back and observant. In almost a voyeuristic way, the film allows us to become comfortable with our main characters and the spaces that they inhabit, often allowing for great moments of silence to engulf the scene as potential victims investigate a strange noise in the back of a dark and foreboding room.

The silence and restraint of these instances are tremendous precursors to the inevitable violent and bloody deaths that are sure to come, and special effects artist Tom Savini does wonders on ending them on high memorable notes. Necks are slit, skulls are chopped, throats are punctured, and heads are decapitated, all in glorious practical presentations that will make you cringe in disgust. Extremely effective and gruesome to boot, Savini's work in Friday the 13^th is a memorable footnote in what would eventually be a legendary career in the horror genre. With its spectacular atmosphere and iconic imagery, Friday the 13^th is without a doubt a stunning intro to what would eventually be a most interesting series of murders, mayhem and masochistic fun!

Friday the 13^th is credited for starting the slasher genre, but in essence it was pulling off of a very storied history of horror films. Black Christmas and The Texas Chainsaw Massacre are truer to starting the trend, but it was Mario Bava's A Bay of Blood that really set those killer wheels in motion in the first place. Mirroring the tone and feel of Bava's 1971 murder opus, Friday the 13^th brought the iconic set up into the 80's and from there the sub-genre set ablaze with countless imitators and handfuls of outstanding efforts. With its cast of characters and memorable deaths, Friday the 13^th upped the ante on what would eventually become the norm within the genre, marking its place as the cream of the crop.

The film's immersive atmosphere and undeniably vivid effects work aided in bringing the world of Friday the 13^th to life and in the process making Camp Crystal Lake seem like a real life place where horrible things can and will occur. Toppled onto that are the genuinely presented characters of the film, which also serve to keep that same sustained believability factor intact. It may be an over the top and violent affair, but the filmmakers make great efforts in easing us into the mayhem by slowly absorbing us into the world and quietly setting up the scares. The build up and payoff are enormously effective and the end result give way to a film that for me will always maintain its classic status. If for some reason this essential slasher has slipped through your fingers, then you owe it to yourself to witness the film that started the 80's slasher craze. It may not be high art, but it is extremely potent. Friday the 13^th is the undisputed.....

Shouldn't one of you assholes be watching the road? Hey Assholes!

What a strange time to be saying the Pledge of Allegiance.

Is that a hotdog in your speedo Kevin Bacon, or are you just happy to see me?

Stache and handkerchief.... Badass!

Hold it right there Tonto.

Did I mention that this place has a death curse?

Here's for that ridiculous boner Bacon!

She's got a splitting headache. Wakka, wakka!

The stache gets the chicks every time.

Sweet! It's a wet night gown contest!

Get that lens flare out of my face! Who the hell do you think you are, J.J. Abrams?!?!

Not looking so good buddy.

I make the same face when I have to take a shit too.

Hi there!

Psychotic Staring Contest.... GO!

Hi everyone. Just hanging around.

Stop right there or I'll shot you in the baby baker!

Mrs. Voorhees showing her, "Oh Shit" face.