Review of Friday the 13th Part 2 (1981) by Ashley B — 14 Jan 2012

Compared to the first, Friday the 13th Part 2 is a much more well-made film and it almost seems like a remake in some ways. It also has some distinguishable visual flair, and that's saying a lot for a series that's looked down on justifiably for being so cheaply made.

Thanks mostly goes to Steve Miner, who went on to direct the following sequel as well as previously helming The Prowler. The film also borrows heavily from Twitch of the Death Nerve; sometimes entire situations and murders lifted from that film.

In particular, the double impalement of two young lovers with a spear, as well as the infamous machete to the face. This movie doesn't hold back on who gets it either; even old men and the disabled can get murdered in this one.

Not only is the wheelchair-bound kid's murder my favorite kill of the entire series, but the film is also more concerned with character development than any other film in the series. They also try to get inside the psychology of Jason and the Legend of Camp Blood as told from Ginny's perspective, which is pretty much thrown away in the sequels.

Jason became merely a superhuman (and later a zombie) killing machine without the need to explore or develop further anything characteristic of a human being. I actually prefer Part 2 over the first one for all of these reasons and it's my favorite film in the series outside of Part 6.