Review of Friday the 13th Part III (1982) by Timothy S — 29 Sep 2012

One of the most critically reviled franchises in movie history returned with "Friday the 13th Part 3", and it remains one of the most successful entries in the series despite the fact that it once again recycles the formula of the previous two. In terms of quality, it is the least effective of the original trilogy, but as a horror fan I can still appreciate what it has to offer.

Harry Manfredini's score still chills although I have to question the music used to open and close the picture that sounds like disco meets a crappy science fiction movie from the 1950's. Steve Miner's direction is accomplished and there are a few genuinely suspenseful moments here, and the special effects are good as well. The hand-walking boyfriend chopped in half is one of my favorite death in the series, and special credit to Stan Winston for designing Jason's make-up this time out.

Of course the big draw here are the 3-D effects, and at the time they were quite good. However, now watching the film in 2-D, a lot of the "magic" wears off and you can clearly see some of the cables used in creating those effects like in the eye-popping sequence. The filmmakers get a lot of mileage out of it, though, using it not just for weapons of mass destruction but also for sillier stuff like yo-yo's and juggling fruit. At least the technique didn't go to waste.

The final showdown between Dana Kimmell and Vorhees is well filmed and exciting, but oddly enough doesn't end with the promise of a new sequel. The box office receipts of "Friday the 13th Part 3" would ensure that happened though. There is good and bad in every genre, and I liked this sequel even though the wear and tear is starting to show.