Well I finally got around to watching one of the most notorious films of all time: Silent Night, Deadly Night. I picked it up at Circuit City for like $7.00 a couple months ago and just got around to watching it. I was pleasantly surprised to see that it didn't suck. It was actually an alright slasher film with some alright gore scenes. It wasn't spectacular, but it's still worth a watch if you've never seen it. But you do have to see the "Uncut" version on DVD from Starz Home Entertainment if you see it.
Rather than posting 6 Different Reviews in 6 Different posts, I've decided to compile all six of these together...
Let me start by stating that I LOVE THIS SERIES. There isn't one bad entry (in my opinion). But I'm gonna start with:
THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE (1974) ( 10 of 10)
This is the masterpiece that shocked the world and got banned in numerous countries for being "too disturbing" or "too graphic", even though there's not a whole lot of gore or blood in the entire film. But there isn't a shortage of terror either. It's creepy and eerie from the very beginning. The corpse on the tombstone was a hell of a film-opener. And the "true story" scroll screen made it that much more effective. It has terrified audiences for decades and has the power to continue doing that for years to come. If you haven't seen it, I demand you go watch it right now!
THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE II ( 9 1/2 of 10 )
Although it doesn't reflect the original film very well, aside from the fact that Lefty Enright is on a man-hunt for the cannibalistic family responsible for the disappearance of his brothers kids, (Sally and Franklin), it's still a great entry in the franchise. It feels very '80s, which works well for the film. This is the one that has all the gore! LG getting his face cut off and the bunch of guts spilling out of the wall when Lefty puts a whole in it, along with the body parts hanging on meat hooks, it was all so disgusting ...and I LOVED IT! This is definitely a must-see. Even if you're not a Chainsaw Fan, it's still a great popcorn flick.
LEATHERFACE: THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE III ( 8 of 10 )
Once again the family dynamics of Leatherface's clan change entirely. But I Still Liked it. This outing follows 2 collegians on their way across open deserted roads. Soon they run into some real trouble... Leatherface's demented "Family" and realize that if they want to stay alive, their gonna have to fight like hell! The DVD for this film has both Theatrical and Unrated Cuts, but you HAVE TO watch the UNRATED Version to get all the gore and nastiness...
TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE: THE NEXT GENERATION ( 7 1/2 of 10 )
Here is indeed the weakest of the franchise. It's not great, but it sure isn't as bad as everyone makes it out to be. It STILL beats 98% of all the Straight-To-DVD Horror Movies out there today! This one has Matthew McConaughey and Renee Zellweger. In this installment, Leatherface is a cross-dressing, wimpy face-wearing psycho: How's that for a twist?
THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE (2003) ( 10 of 10 )
Okay, Here It Is: The BEST CHAINSAW MOVIE in the series! Well... It's a tie! This one ties with the original. I like them both for different reasons. I like the original for it's grittiness and brutatlity and the ability to get under your skin. While I like the remake for it's entertainment value, for it's shock factor and the overwhelming sense of dread that feel for its characters. I love the cast in the remake and truly feel that it couldn't have been done much better. This is the film that made Leatheface scary again. This is the first remake that most people didn't bitch about and actually liked. So if you're avoiding this film simply because it's a remake... DON'T! If you haven't seen it go see it. In fact, rent or buy this and the original and view together and make your own dicision on which one's better.
THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE: THE BEGINNING ( 9 1/2 of 10 )
Witness the birth of fear... Literally. This is the latest in the franchise and I must say, it was pretty brutal. We get everything we wanted: We see leatherface's first kill, his first chainsaw kill, how he gets his first mask, how Old Monty loses his legs, and how Sheriff Hoyt became the Sheriff. It's all here and more. It seems that some people have beef with this one and I'm not really sure why. I liked it and if you haven't seen it: don't judge it based on what people are telling you and see it for yourself...
No, I'm not talking about the one it theatres right now with Brendan Fraser. I'm talking about the 1989 snore-fest of the same title. It's BAD ...and I mean really bad. With such an incoherant storyline and unlikable characters. I mean there really isn't alot going for this film. There is one reason to watch it though: The crazy black-haired rocker chick! She's looks badass!
(I'd post the trailer here but it's sooo bad that there isn't one online!)
I went into this with an open mind and too high of expectations... Which of coarse meant i came out of it truly disappointed. I mean, although it did have a few good points. Emphasis on the word "FEW", it felt like what it was. Instead of feeling like the much-anticipated sequel to the cult phenomen that is the original film, it felt like a Made-for-DVD follow-up with little to do with its prodecesor. So in closing, i would recommend that you skip it entirely or catch it on cable.
