Review of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2003) by John K — 08 Jul 2011
The real problem with this remake is that it is not a remake of the original classic horror film. Fundamentally, a remake should include the same basic story and the same principal characters of the original (Nightmare on Elm Street 2010 is a good example of this), but this version of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre has NO original characters, other than Leatherface, and the story's basic framework is completely changed.
Though the 2003 film is well made and maybe even a decent horror flick, the overhaul of the original classic (and I emphasize CLASSIC) is the worst kind of blasphemy I can think of. Plain and simple: these cash-in remakes need to treat the original material with respect, and this film simply does not do that.
Instead, it pisses all over the story, omits all the classic scenes, and alters the only remaining original character. This film needs a different title (much like that Dawn of the Dead remake) - that might lessen the blow a bit.
If the original film is not in your top 20 of all time, you may be fine with this film. As I said, it's well made, more overtly gory, and even has R. Lee Ermey playing his usual shouting drill sargeant type guy.
What's mssing is the rawness and crazy realism and the labor-of-love honesty of the original, this one is very much a high-budget Hollywood horror that fails to stand out as anything special DESPITE its title.
This review of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2003) was written by John K on 08 Jul 2011.
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre has generally received mixed reviews.
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