Friday the 13th 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 13th. 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 13th 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
13th 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 13th 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 13th 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
13th 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 13th Part 2
is.....
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| You know what I'm going to say motherfucker! |
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| Hey asshole! |
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| Camp Crystal Lake? Sounds like a fun place. |
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| Oh sweet sassafras! |
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| Ralph! Nooooooooo! |
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| Words to live by. |
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| This guy is just so kooky. |
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| They really need to put up a Voorhees Crossing Sign on this road. |
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| Living in the lap of luxury. |
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| Please hammer don't hurt em! |
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| Look what I caught.... a pervert! |
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| Shout! Shout! Let it all out! You tell them Tears for Fears. |
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| Look ma.... No poop stains! |
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| Now that's just wrong Jason! |
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| Sorry to wake you Sack Man. |
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| Say cheese! Now that's a keeper! |
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| Ginny you back stabber! |
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| How about a hug! |
