It's been a while. I don't know how to keep my promises, do I? Well...sorry to everyone waiting for my latest review. Here it is, finally. It may be a little while before I get my next ones up, due to the end of the semester crunch and time away from the computer, but I'll try my best. Check back soon.
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2003)
Review by Jon Waterman
**
Back in the 70s some teenagers heading to a concert pick up a hitchhiker. The disheveled girl tries to tell them something but eventually gives in to her mind and shoots herself. When the teens look for help, they’re met with a lot of run around and eventually find themselves running around trying to escape. It seems there’s a chainsaw wielding murderer on the loose and this isolated town is his home turf.
Now, in order to properly critique the film, one must completely dispense of the fact that it is a remake. For people who haven’t seen the original in a while or perhaps never, this isn’t too hard to do. Diehard horror fans may have a much tougher time digesting the movie as they most likely thoroughly enjoy the film made back in 1974. Since, currently, I fit into the first group…here we go.
The movie begins as a “documentary.” It shows some police footage of the house and the narrator tells us about the case. After this we’re taken to the main narrative. The main purpose of the opening sequence is 1) to give a feel for the style of the movie and 2) to create a base for suspense right away. Instead of letting characters get developed before dropping in scares, the grainy and contrasty look of the opening implants unease in the audience. Both devises prove to be effective, however, the general discomfort doesn’t carry through like it should. The film loses momentum when it should be there most. Only when the police footage returns at the end does the sensation return, but by that point it’s too little too late.
The story seems to drag ever so slightly. I didn’t really like that all of the adults were such horrible figures. Perhaps I’m getting old, but creating such a clear-cut division between the teens and adults (especially in authoritative positions) seemed a bit much. I understand the fear involved with saying it’s inspired by a true story, but the story of Ed Gein was hacked to shreds more than the kids in this film. The script was obviously retooled and Hollywood-ized to give it some extra punch. Once again, it just wasn’t all there.
I’m not saying the movie is bad. But it isn’t great. The acting is remarkably good…for a horror flick. Also, I enjoyed the way it was shot. I thought the use of color and lighting complimented each other nicely (which follows the trend of beautiful yet mediocre movies – especially in horror). But after all the analyzing is said and done, it’s still a remake. It still should not have been made, because there is a film out on the video shelves right now that most would agree surpasses this retelling. Go ahead and rent that one instead.
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2003)
Review by Jon Waterman
**
Back in the 70s some teenagers heading to a concert pick up a hitchhiker. The disheveled girl tries to tell them something but eventually gives in to her mind and shoots herself. When the teens look for help, they’re met with a lot of run around and eventually find themselves running around trying to escape. It seems there’s a chainsaw wielding murderer on the loose and this isolated town is his home turf.
Now, in order to properly critique the film, one must completely dispense of the fact that it is a remake. For people who haven’t seen the original in a while or perhaps never, this isn’t too hard to do. Diehard horror fans may have a much tougher time digesting the movie as they most likely thoroughly enjoy the film made back in 1974. Since, currently, I fit into the first group…here we go.
The movie begins as a “documentary.” It shows some police footage of the house and the narrator tells us about the case. After this we’re taken to the main narrative. The main purpose of the opening sequence is 1) to give a feel for the style of the movie and 2) to create a base for suspense right away. Instead of letting characters get developed before dropping in scares, the grainy and contrasty look of the opening implants unease in the audience. Both devises prove to be effective, however, the general discomfort doesn’t carry through like it should. The film loses momentum when it should be there most. Only when the police footage returns at the end does the sensation return, but by that point it’s too little too late.
The story seems to drag ever so slightly. I didn’t really like that all of the adults were such horrible figures. Perhaps I’m getting old, but creating such a clear-cut division between the teens and adults (especially in authoritative positions) seemed a bit much. I understand the fear involved with saying it’s inspired by a true story, but the story of Ed Gein was hacked to shreds more than the kids in this film. The script was obviously retooled and Hollywood-ized to give it some extra punch. Once again, it just wasn’t all there.
I’m not saying the movie is bad. But it isn’t great. The acting is remarkably good…for a horror flick. Also, I enjoyed the way it was shot. I thought the use of color and lighting complimented each other nicely (which follows the trend of beautiful yet mediocre movies – especially in horror). But after all the analyzing is said and done, it’s still a remake. It still should not have been made, because there is a film out on the video shelves right now that most would agree surpasses this retelling. Go ahead and rent that one instead.
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