Review of Jason Lives - Friday the 13th Part VI (1986) by Jon C — 19 Feb 2009

The makers of the Friday the 13th series realised that they made a huge mistake not having iconic killer Jason in Part 5 so decided to bring him back to life as a zombie in part 6. What we get is the best film of the series, it has plenty of humour, buckets of gore, the best kills of the series and is great fun from start to finish.

The film picks up where part 5 left off with Tommy Jarvis still experiencing visions of Jason coming back to life. He decides to take a trip to Jason's grave to finally make sure he is dead for good. Tommy digs up the body but when the body is exposed it gets hit by lightening which somehow brings Jason back to life! Cut to Camp Crystal lake (now called Forest Green) and a new bunch of teenagers and a group of children this time (why do they keep opening the camp) are holidaying in the cabins. Needless to say zombie Jason is annoyed with this and starts another murderous rampage. The difference with this installment is that all the characters are likable, they are funny and we have none of the stereotypical stoner and sex addict characters. Tommy tries to warn the town that Jason is back but no one believes him until half the town has been massacred in the most creative ways of the series.

Director Tom McLouglin realises that since this is the 6th installment that nobody is going to find them scary anymore so he makes the film with a real tongue-in-cheek feel throughout by including lots of jokes, plenty of 80's rock music, some interesting characters and a badass zombie Jason who relentlessly stalks and kills his victims. An excellent climax and great effects throughout make this a very good film and easily the best of the series. I have no idea why he didn't direct any of the further sequels, he was very harshly treated in my opinion.

Best of the series by a good way and just pure horror fun from start to finish.

8/10.