After a brief diversion to clear out/escape from the nearest morgue, Jason returns from his machete-assisted hibernation to resume slicing and dicing the denizens of Crystal Lake. This time we shake up the formula a bit, introducing a relatively innocent single-parent family to the mix, though the vacationing kids across the street are more than happy to continue with the sex, drugs and rock'n'roll that's so familiar.
It's a grab bag, really, a bunch of randomly-associated (or, often, not associated whatsoever) snippets that float around in the wash and occasionally bump into one another. I found it curious to spot a few name actors in the crowd this time: Crispin Glover is his usual awkward self and Corey Feldman plays the same mouthy, bratty kid you might expect given his early '80s stardom. Kevin Bacon's appearance in the first film may have set this stage, but it's still a little strange to see recognizable faces in the midst of such a transparent, genre-specific story, especially when one of them catches a grievous head wound near the climax.
Every bit as indulgently gore-soaked, under-written and simple-minded as the previous chapter, if perhaps with an even looser grasp on reality. It's roll-your-eyes bad, but not quite change-the-channel bad.
20 minutes left but this one is my favourite so far. The kills aren't as elaborate but overall its much better than the previous ones. Though I don't understand how Jason is alive. Best not to ask too many questions. This one has the most characters I liked. Including Teddy. The acting is a lot better and so are the effects. Especially the Dingy and Shower scene.
Im pretty desensitised when it comes to horror but I find it more shocking when I am actually engaged in the characters story, that way the kills can be less dramatic but still have a bigger impact.
I just watched the entire Nightmare on Elm street series, which has a great concept but poor execution. This seems to be the opposite. There's not much of a concept, but the execution is pretty good. At least from a special and make up effects point of view, I can tell these people made this with love. Even if the production company just wanted to cash in.
I see now why this series is a classic, which I didn't understand after seeing the 2nd one.
The BTS on the bluray with Corey Feldman was good too.
Review by VicenteBlockedParent2020-04-19T17:27:56Z— updated 2020-04-24T02:32:59Z
This is my favorite film of the franchise so far. It’s not necessarily a great movie, but it is fun movie.
I liked the pacing, you don’t get bored while waiting for the night scenes where the action can start. Joseph Zito is good slasher director, he also directed The Prowler, a good movie as well. Wish he had directed more.
The killings are creative and the gore and special effects are pretty good, thanks to the master Tom Savini who helped create Jason in the first movie. This time he wanted to help kill off Jason.
One thing that helps the movie not being so formulaic or making it interesting enough are the victims. Yes, you have the usual reckless and stupid young people, but the main characters are a family that happens just to live near Crystal Lake (which is kinda weird, but ok) making the film at least a little bit different and not that unbearable. Among the stupid ones there’s George McFly, I wasn’t expecting that, it was cool.
There’s also the most nudity I’ve seen in one of these movies. I’m not complaining, quite the opposite, just pointing out.
Jason visual is also my favorite.