Review of Jason Lives - Friday the 13th Part VI (1986) by Sleez B — 12 Nov 2012

It begins with a laugh. One is laughing and the other is dead serious.

Original Review written June 18, 2005.

Friday the 13th Part 6 I believe is one Jason's best horror film in the series since Part 3 when he gets his mask!

What happens this time is Jason was still dead! So Tommy goes with a friend to dig him up and burn him! Along the way he stabs Jason with a steel pole even before he is burn, so next he returns as a SUPERZOMBIE! Nice! He tries to warn the authorities but is arrested and learns they change Camp Crystal Lake name to something and worst kids are going to be camping in that place! And yes there's still some horny teens, but no nudity! Neither panties! But the kill are better than Part 5's cheesy kills!

Rent this movie? Yes! It has humor and some good kills! You will not be disappointed! If you are, then you're an IDIOT!

Review Lives!

I retract the last sentence I made about the folks who don't like the film.

Jason has haunted and terrorized everyone at Camp Crystal Lake and each sequel brings something new to the table, but lacks something unfortunately in each one. Before we start, I will analyze the last few films that I reviewed so you can get an idea were I was at. I argued:

3D was iconic, but was very inept in the first and second act and had unlikeable characters.

Final Chapter, the special effects were astounding, but the movie lacked direction as characters as the sole purposes of the film was to have characters get hacked up. Joseph Zito could have added something more to the script.

A New Beginning had interesting story line, characters, high body count, T&A, and funny moments, but had horrible special effects and death reaction.

After 5th installment, producers decided to make a 6th one and got a little serious. In a way, they went to get Tom McLoughlin rather than get a couple writers and directors who have come out slasher film/screenplay school. Anyways, McLoughlin wrote and directed the film and had all three elements and added some new ones to.

In Jason Lives, there are sufficient amounts of gore, body count, acting, story, likeable characters, and suspense. Along with humor, there is a small amount gothic appeal from the 1930s films at the beginning of the film. Heck, I found logic and competence in the film, for there actions take in the film are reasonable and understandable if you don't mind the elaborated deaths. Unlike the previous films from Part 2 to Final Chapter, there was no real reason to go to Crystal Lake other than to have sex and do drugs, for in real life I don't think dozens of teens would go to a location where dozens have been slain. The only areas like that are in cities that have gangs let along one serial killer once in a blue moon. In slasher films including sequels, there has to be a real purpose or reasoning for the people going to a certain place that could mean death for them and "I got it for a cheap price," has been worn out. Previous F13 films, it usually has a number of teens and friends going to Camp Crystal Lake despite the media coverage and films about dead teenagers, but they just kept going and got hacked up, but in A New Beginning, there was an understanding at least. The location was a mental facility (far away from the camp) and people knew Jason was dead, for he was destroyed by Corey Feldman. Heck, the film gave counter reassurance at one point when a mayor questions law enforcement about the deaths, and if you seen it already, we know why. Anyways, Jason Lives follows that logic where the folks know Jason is dead and everybody can come to play to Camp Crystal Lake and play. Only this time, the area has a new name and Camp Crystal Lake has been upgraded and given a new name. There is nothing to fear right.

Right, except for one guy, Tommy Jarvis, last time we has him, he was suffering from paranoia, delusions, and had psychosis breakdown, but by watching him, there is an impression that he gets his back to reality only when Jason Voorhees is alive or is imitated by someone. Anyways, I guess he wants closure, so he decides to pay a visit and that's where we begin. Like I said, it starts with a laugh while the other looks dead serious. Laugh comes from Hawes, Tommy's friend, and he is psyched and finds it comical. Of course, we all do stupid things. He interacts with Tommy (Tom Mathews) about what they're going to do. This scene is very excellent and well acted since it captures the stupidity and excitement people do at time. Anyways, the two stop at the cemetery and begin looking, but at this point Hawes gets nervous. The two find Jason's grave and begin to dig it up despite the ominous signs and Hawes's doubt. At this point, Tommy should have been smart enough to remember the dream he had in part 5 (the two lunkheads at the beginning) another ominous sing, but he ignores it. Once they dig up the grave, they see that Jason is dead and decomposing (reassurance to the folks), but Tommy goes on a tirade and stabs it and goes for the gas after stabbing it, but boom, lightning strikes. It is there that we see that Jason has been resurrected and is (due to McLoughlin) a super-zombie. The two try to destroy Jason, but fail and find out that Jason is a lot stronger than ever. That is all I'm going to say about the film because it's really well done and I don't want to spoil anything more. I will give you a few more details though.

Anyways, Jason's back and Tommy follows his instinct by going to the police station (smart move), but is unable to convince them due to two factors. (1) The police and towns folks have moved on and don't want to hear anymore about Jason (due to Final Chapter). (2) They know that Tommy is somewhat ill due to his trouble past, and ultimately, he is thrown in a cell to be taken back to facility. Around this time, we see the new camp counselors and they have children to take care of. Huh, the people really did move on. Anyways, they set up camp and all, but are forewarned by Jarvis about Jason. All are concerned except for Megan (Jennifer Cooke) who finds Tommy attractive despite her dad's, Sheriff Mike Garris (David Kagen), warnings. Hmm, I think there some sort of chemistry between them. Anyways, the counselors head back to camp waiting for two other counselors to arrive. Unbeknownst to them, Jason is alive and heading back to camp and killing anyone he sees in elaborated ways. The people here are adults doing a number of activities which is something new to the film. The folks are minding their own business until bam, kill. The kills are creative, but silly. According to McLoughlin, he said there was a reason to doing this and his decision to make the deaths a certain way are wise. Anyways, the scenes that feature Jason's journey are shot excellent and are humorous rather than the attempt of being supposedly scary. The movie goes one like this until Jason reaches Camp Forrest Green (Crystal Lake's new name). By then, certain folks are in the area that is necessary for the climax and Jarvis has escaped to confront Jason one more time.

Friday the 13th Part VI- Jason Lives will have one believing in exhaustion and tiredness since this is the sixth installment, but the film is actually worth watching. The techniques, writing, acting, special effects, and direction are well done. Watching it, it will feel like and is a real movie. Heck, it winks at you and takes you in to have fun. The acting and the human actions are done well and competent. It pokes fun of itself and the opening credits are awesome and trivial. I enjoyed this film a lot and place it as the best Jason film of all. Heck, it's not only for fans of the franchise, but it's a film that I can actually recommend to anyone. If you want to see a fun horror film, Friday the 13th Part VI- Jason Lives is the one. It's the best slasher film sequel of all time (gotta watch New Nightmare).

DVD Special Features.

The features include an ingenious theatrical trailer, but making of the film, commentary, and some other cool extras.

Friday the 13th Part III- 3D.

Friday the 13th Part IV- The Final Chapter.

Friday the 13th Part V- A New Beginning.

Friday the 13th Part VI- Jason Lives.

Friday the 13th Part VII- New Blood.

Friday the 13th Part XII.