Review of Friday the 13th Part III (1982) by Shelby B — 26 Mar 2014

Friday The 13th Part 3 is a slight improvement over Part 2 but, still a mixed bag though it does hold some nostalgic importance to me as it was another film seen at my cherished Oritani theater in Hackensack, N.

J. Released during the 80s 3D revival, sparked by Comin' At Ya, the film was made and released in 3D and is filled with objects being thrust at the camera which is just plain distracting when watched in 2D and wasn't that great in pre-digital 3D either.

The film opens up the story formula somewhat with this chapter being set at a lake house and not a summer camp. This installment has pretty Chris Higgins (super cute Dana Kimmell) returning with friends for a getaway at her family's house on Crystal Lake where 2 years earlier she survived an attack in the woods by a deformed man.

.. hmmm, who could that be? It's no stretch to guess that soon Chris' friends and anyone else in the vicinity of the house start to be dispatched in gory ways by that same deformed man. Steven Miner directed again and this time he does get a little intensity going, especially in the last act which is an extended chase with Chris going all final girl with Jason.

The film does start out with a bit slower pace and takes awhile to get going but, the last act does kick into gear and having twice the budget then the last film, shows it with a slightly larger scale and more elaborate stunts.

Miner also directs with a bit more of a humorous touch in this installment too, which works both for and against it. It gives it a bit different tone but, also keeps the first and second acts a bit light till Jason really gets going and things get serious.

It does kinda take the edge off of the impact of the kills and atmosphere till the final half hour when the intensity kicks in. But, this is also the film where Jason (the late Richard Brooker) not only gained his iconic hockey mask and look but, was also portrayed as a bigger and stronger adversary that he remained throughout the series.

He has a lot more of an imposing persona and more of his trademark relentlessness here then in Part 2. The kills are a little bloodier too, but, still not as gory as Part 1 and some of them are a little silly such as a character bringing a spear gun to a house on a lake.

The cast are again fine with Kimmel being my favorite of the sequels' final girls. She is not only adorable but, makes a good damsel who is also feisty and resourceful and fights back with intensity.

The rest of the characters are a little more colorful then usual, including a 3 person biker gang and 2 hippie stoners. The young, attractive actors give these characters some added life so, they are more likable and a bit less cliche' then in the previous entry.

Overall an entertaining enough entry, it still can't touch the first movie but, it was better then the mediocre sequel it followed. It also was fun enough to keep one interested in the series and awaiting the next adventure of Mr.

Voorhees... which would be one of his best.