Review of Friday the 13th Part VII - The New Blood (1988) by Foreverfinalgir — 20 Dec 2021

When I was younger, this was one of the Friday the 13th movies that I really didn’t like. I think the whole telekinesis aspect was what I didn’t like. Now, after this rewatch, I don’t hate it as much as I used to. I’m still not fond of it, but I do like Tina a little more now than I used to.

PLOT.

Tina (Lar Park-Lincoln) and her mother return to Crystal Lake after being gone many years because of an accident that killed her father. Meanwhile next door is a surprise birthday party for friends. Tina has special telekinesis powers that she accidentally uses and awakens Jason. She must now try to save her mother and the other people from a reawakened Jason.

MY THOUGHTS.

I really like Jason in this movie. I like how the spine is showing in the back. The slash in the face is there as well. This Jason is grittier and grimier than others. This was Kane Hoder’s first go as Jason, and I think it’s my favorite so far. Also, Jason is unmasked the longest in New Blood rather than any of the other movies. We do get about 16 kills in this movie.

Remember Crazy Ralph (Walt Gorney) from the first two movies? He does the voiceover during the flashbacks. The director, John Carl Buechler, plays the firefighter who picks up Jason’s broken mask at the end of the movie.

The acting was ok. Nothing outstanding other than I felt Kane Hoder’s Jason was a lot better than the previous. Terry Kiser was slimy as his usual characters. I felt that Melissa (Susan Jennifer Sullivan) was over the top with the **** Though that’s more the writing/directing and not the actress. And, I know Eddie (Jeff Bennett) is supposed to be nerdy, but it’s more annoying. Again, not the actors fault. I guess I’m being too critical of the characters in a basic slasher movie. LOL.

My main complaint is the whole telekinesis plot line. I just wasn’t buying it. Yes, Jason is a supernatural killer, but that doesn’t mean the final girl should have powers too. I don’t know, I just didn’t like it. And don’t get me started that she doesn’t end Jason, but she brings back her dad to kill him. The dad who has been in the water for many years but doesn’t look like he’s rotted any.

Overall, for a completionist like myself, yes watch it. But it’s not one I willingly rewatch just for the hell of it.

This film had to be cut 9 times in order to get an R rating.

This was the last ‘Friday the 13th’ film to use footage from any of the previous films.

At the time of its release, this was the first Friday the 13th film to have a “peaceful” ending that doesn’t hint to Jason or some other killer returning for a sequel.

If you want to see my other Friday the 13th reviews, click here: Friday the 13th Franchise.

Let’s get into the rankings:

Kills/Blood/Gore: 2.5/5.

Sex/Nudity: 1/5.

Scare factor: 2.5/5.

Enjoyment factor: 6/10.

My Rank: 3/5.

IMDB: 5.3/10.

Rotten Tomatoes: critics: 3.2/10 audience: 3.7/10.

Letterboxd: 2.