Review of Friday the 13th (2009) by Sleez B — 12 Nov 2012

Oh no, Friday the 13th review hit on a Friday the 13th and it's the same day Alfred Hitchcock was born!

From the producers of the Texas Chainsaw Massacre.

-cover of the movie.

I would have disassociated myself from that film if I were the guys who do the advertisement.

Yes, I was glad to see great improvements with Friday the 13th. Everything has been upgraded as in story, sense, purpose, writing, characters, personalities, acting, cinematography, and creative kills. However, it lacks horror, suspense, thrills, and excitement like some of the previous films. Well okay, the only recommendable so far for folks unfamiliar with films is Jason Lives even though I gave most of the flicks âyesâ? recommendation. I see the new flick as the 12th installment and nothing more even through they have first four Friday the 13th film influence. My Bloody Valentine was more fun than this. I blame the director Marcus Nispel and writer Damian Shannon and Mark Swift (Freddy vs. Jason) for not adding any good scares or fun. As for Nispel, this is his second slasher remake I have seen from him, for the first one was Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2004), terrible movie. However, the guys do give Jason Voorhees a couple of new tricks and a personality that helps the film a bit. As I saw the film, I was able to identify that Jason was sore throughout the time when he wasnâ(TM)t shown killing. Also, I noticed he was very territorial and has learned how to set up a couple of traps. Heck, he has a brain too! The film went on to give me mixed reaction of excitement and boredom.

Friday the 13th opens up in an excellent way as we see one camp counselor running and screaming for her life. She is ambushed by a middle age woman while the screen goes black showing the credits. This lady tells her that all is hopeless as she has killed all the counselors. The altercation escalates and soon the remake of the original film is over. From there, we move to the present and since then things have been a little quiet in Camp Crystal Lake. The reason is because this film is a remake and since thatâ(TM)s the case, none of other films ever happened. In other words, people can go to Camp Crystal Lake without worry or hesitation since the murders occurred 20 years ago. I say it was sort of a smart move because it would be awful if people â~forgotâ(TM) like they did in New Blood.

The people going to Crystal Lake this time is a group a friends with two of them on a secret mission. From there, the characters have personalities and are interesting like Wade the nerd, Richie the bandanna rebel, Wendy the cautious girl, and some other interesting characters. The lines written are not genuinely, but itâ(TM)s interesting than the previous films where no one said anything or the lines went nowhere. Anyways, they settle in and start to relax while Wendy and her boyfriend go for a walk out in the woods. Meanwhile, in an oblige move, two of them go into the tent to have sex which usually results in death. Oh wait, here comes Jason! The scenes done are somewhat suspenseful with some nice deaths and attacks without the clichà (C). This leads up until the screen goes black. End at that point, the title comes up.

We move to a character driving down the road with a moped or motor bike as he searches for sister (Wendy). It is there that I realized the movie is a blend from Friday the 13th Part II to The Final Chapter after the first one ends technically. The guyâ(TM)s name is Clay (Jared Padalecki) and heâ(TM)s looking for his sister (ode to Final Chapter). Heâ(TM)s told that she is least likely to be found alive by a bitter old woman, but this doesnâ(TM)t deter him and soon he meets up a new set of unknown players. The folks are Trent (Travis Van Winkle), Jenna (Danielle Panabaker), Bree (Juliana Guill), Chewie (Aaron Yoo), Chelsea (Willa Ford), Nolan (Ryan Hansen), and Lawrence (Arlen Escarpeta) and we see them step into a gasoline station. There they meet Clay and instantly, him and Trent become enemies. Anyways, the group arrives at a house owned by Trentâ(TM)s parents were they skewer on to different activities and have fun until thereâ(TM)s knock at the door. What do you know, its Clay again! Lines are exchanges between him and Jenna and Trent, soon Clay leaves to continue his search with Jenna assisting him. We donâ(TM)t get know anyone except for certain aspects of their personality like the douche Trent, friendly Jenna, and the comic relief of Chewie and Lawrence. As this happens, we move Nolan as he is in the act of helping Chelsea invent topless wakeboarding. Little do they and anyone know, Jason is nearby and looking to kill. It is there that I identify Jasonâ(TM)s motivation for the kills as he is defending what he considers his territory, so he can moan and be soar. Heck, he upgrades his image from bag (part II) to hockey mask (part III) to get ready. After he does away with Nolan and Chelsea (best death scene), he goes for the remaining folks at the cabin meanwhile Clay and Jenna search an abandoned camp. It is there that the film transpires into the usual chase scenes without the overuse of stalk and slashes effect. Good job, however, the films goes to the heâ(TM)s right behind you effect and that gets old. We get a few creative kills and resistance between Jason and the rest of the folks that I like watching and one hilarious moment that I wonâ(TM)t say what it is. We get one final chase scene that was interesting, but not suspenseful until its big finale.

I have seen this movie twice and will see it for a third time as well. The first time I saw it was at a theater charging one dollar for admission and went. As I saw the flick, the most frightening thing was the sound volume. The stabbings in the film and the knife sounds pierced my ears and thought I was going to bleed. Each sound felt like it went inside my ear; it was like getting an ice pick to the ear. Other than that, I felt like something was going to happen that would scare me (other than the sharp volume), but it never happened. I was disappointed until the final act that is jolting. When I saw the film for the second time, I enjoyed a little more and got to understand it a little more. I sometimes have to see a film for a second time to conclude and catch certain things that are vital for the movie. As one thing Iâ(TM)m sure of, there will be another sequel. Hopefully the sequel will be better, and heck, Iâ(TM)ll even write the sequel! Even better, maybe I could get a couple of the folks from this website and make a better film.

As I saw the film, I quickly identify the problem which is its not scary or suspenseful. As critic Ben Mankiewicz said I got extremely bored. I couldnâ(TM)t blame him because weâ(TM)ve seen this flick before only the bright side is it is enhanced with everything that was wrong with the Part II and Final Chapter and it had some creative kills. Itâ(TM)s a nice reboot/remake only it doesnâ(TM)t bring anything new to table other murder and enhancements. At least, it will save you a couple of hours if you want to avoid watching the first four.

Friday the 13th Part III- 3D.

Friday the 13th Part IV- The Final Chapter.

Friday the 13th Part V- A New Beginning.

Friday the 13th Part VI- Jason Lives.

Friday the 13th Part VII- New Blood.

Friday the 13th (remake).

Note: nod up for the invention of topless water skiers. What will they think of next?