Review of Toolbox Murders (2004) by Ben K — 05 Apr 2008

This is better than most of the recent slasher films in circulation, in large part testament to the talents of Tobe Hooper. Though Hooper has spent some time in the wilderness, this shows that there[s still some of that fractured genius that made Texas Chainsaw 1 & 2, Eaten Alive, The Fun House, etc, horror classics left in him.

What sucks, though, is that in the last 20 minutes Hooper makes the same mistake that Rob Zombie made in his Halloween remake & makes the heroine pretty much useless. It's not quite as bad here, but maybe on another level slightly worse: whereas the lead in Halloween was a tall glass of water, here the part is played by Angela Bettis, a great horror actress (May, Sick Girl) and filmmaker who brings substance to the part, only to find herself tied up & needing to be rescued at the end by her husband and the police.

Quite disappointing in that respect.