Friday the 13th DVD Review

Friday the 13th (2009)

Looks Like We’re Going Back to Crystal Lake…

By: Brittany (Guest Writer)

I’m going to be honest; I usually hate remakes. I don’t really get the point of them and for some strange reason I sort of feel offended on behalf of all the parties originally involved. So I don’t have a problem telling you that I had already made up my mind that I wasn’t going to like the new Friday the 13th. As a horror movie lover, that particular film series holds a special place in my heart and I wasn’t interested in seeing it slashed to pieces like one of Jason’s million victims. But then I realized that it wasn’t a strict remake but a “retooling” of the series, and even though I didn’t really know what that meant, I decided to open my mind a bit.

I’m so glad I did!

Young and handsome Clay (Jared Padalecki of TV’s Supernatural) is searching for his missing sister Whitney (Amanda Righetti) when he comes upon a group of friends vacationing at a secluded lake house. Unfortunately for everyone involved, the peaceful and secluded (yet modern and fully equipped) lake house happens to be right beside the ruins of Camp Crystal Lake. Total bummer. I don’t even need to tell you anything more about the plot because if you’re even remotely familiar with the series you can guess what happens next. The partying kids break all the rules (they drink, they get high, and they have sex) so you really can’t blame Jason for going on a rampage. I mean, that’s his job after all. These kids stumble into his camp, run amok, play loud music, and generally act like hooligans.

I think what sets this film apart from others in the series is that it’s pretty darn entertaining. There’s the usual horror movie fare of blood and guts and nudity but there’s also a fair amount of humor. I found myself laughing at the dumb jokes even when I tried not to. Chewie is the token funny man of the group and has one of the best parts in the movie when he bumps into Jason while sweeping up some broken glass in a tool shed with a hockey stick and asks him if he’s looking for the stick he’s holding because it “completes his outfit.” You really have to see it to appreciate it because it seriously made me giggle.

So where’s the retooling part? Well, the film takes the premise that years and years ago a young boy drowned while at summer camp and his mother killed all the counselors for revenge. Sound familiar? Keep reading. But, the legend says, the boy didn’t really die. He made it back to camp in time to see his mother’s head chopped off at the hands of one of his counselors and the legend goes on to say that the boy, Jason, still roams the woods
taking it upon himself to kill as many people as he can.

The kids still do dumb stuff (Why would you go BY YOURSELF out to look for your missing friend when you KNOW there’s a crazy killer running around killing people? WHY?) and some of the dynamics are a little confusing (Are Jenna and Trent dating or what?) but it all comes together in a pretty satisfying conclusion. The ending won’t be for everyone but us horror movie purists will certainly appreciate it.

Though I really did enjoy the film, there are a few unanswered questions that will make you scratch your head. Did Jason feed Whitney? Does he mail a check every month to pay his electrical bill? Why in the world is the 80s song “Sister Christian” played just before a death scene? Since when is water-skiing topless a good idea? And I’d also like to point out that while Jason was very tough and scary in this movie, the farm-hand guy was miles scarier. I’ll be checking under my bed every night to make sure he’s not hiding there.

Watch this film for some laughs, for some scares, and to feel better about your own IQ. I wouldn’t, however, watch it the night before a big camping trip because, well, you just never know, do you? Four stars out of five.

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