Director: Marcus Nispel
Writer: Damian Shannon, Mark Swift (Screenplay) Damian Shannon, Mark Swift, Mark Wheaton (Story) Victor Miller (Characters)
Starring: Jared Padalecki, Danielle Panabaker, Amanda Righetti, Travis Van Winkle, Aaron Yoo, Derek Mears
Plot: Jason is reborn, wait Jason wasn’t the killer in the original Friday The 13th. After a thirty second telling of how Jason’s mum went on a rampage before being murdered on front of him we meet a group of hikers looking for a bounty of cannabis. Whitney (Righetti) and her friend end up in Camp Crystal Lake and fall victim to Jason Voorhees (Mears). Clay Miller (Padalecki) Whitney’s brother goes in search of the truth about what happened to his missing sister; along his way he meets a group of rich college kids who are staying in ones parent’s vacation home for a weekend of drinks, drugs and sex. Before long Jason appears and causes problems for all of them.
Verdict: Remake, reboot whatever you want to call it that just is not the same.
Story: Reboots are always way over the top and lose the old school atmospheric build ups and this is no different go for gore and blood over a good scare. The story is clichéd and offers nothing new to the franchise. The only positive I can take from this film is that they try to humanize Jason showing how never recovers from his mother’s death. (5/10)
Actor Review: Jared Padalecki – Desperate brother who goes all out to find his sister and meets finds an unstoppable force. Jared much like Jensen Ackles tries to get away from TV’s supernatural and even though Jensen’s My Bloody Valentine wasn’t that bad they both fail to make an impact in cinema. He doesn’t give a dominating enough performance required to become a cult hero of the Friday the 13th fans love. Failed Breakout Performance Award (6/10)
Actor Review: Danielle Panabaker – Jenna the nice girl from the group of friends who hangs around with the wrong crowd. This opened the door in horror for the actress who does a good job in this role but also doesn’t show the true panic a leading lady character would normally make. Unluckiest Character Award (7/10)
Actor Review: Amanda Righetti – Whitney the missing sister and object of Jason affections. Amanda has the screaming down to a tee after spending most of the film screaming and in constant terror. Does a good job in the situation she is in and becomes the only character with real emotions shown. (8/10)
Actor Review: Derek Mears – Jason ruthless killer who will stop at nothing to defend his territory. Dominating figure on screen creates a brutal killer. Iconic Performance Award, Scariest Character Award (9/10)
Director Review: Marcus Nispel – Working on remakes and reboots clearly is this guy’s thing but he clearly doesn’t know how to truly honour the classics. (4/10)
Horror: Way over the top kills, plenty of blood and gore, but against everything this franchise was about. (7/10)
Special Effects: Some great effects in the kills. (9/10)
Music: Doesn’t use the music as well as the original. (6/10)
Believability: The serial killer side yes but he supernatural side no. (2/10)
Chances of Tears: No (0/10)
Settings: Set around Crystal Lake rather than just the Camp show Jason to be a territorial killer but it doesn’t create the atmosphere there originals did. (6/10)
Suggestion: Friday the 13th is one of my favourite film franchises and I would suggest this even though I don’t think it is by any means one of the better ones. The new era slasher fans that have never seen the original one will more than likely enjoy this as it caters to the more hack em’ slash em’ audience. Horror fans in general will enjoy the basic side of the film but non horror fans avoid. (Horror Fans Watch)
Best Part: Trent getting what he deserves.
Worst Part: Ruins a classic.
Kill Of The Film: Chewie as it offers a more solid use of new horror kills.
Trivia: Producer Michael Bay walked out saying there was too much sex.
Oscar Chances: No
Chances of Sequel: Reboot that failed is getting rebooted in the future again.
Similar Too: Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2003, Halloween remake.
Overall: Reboot that made money but fails a classic
Rating 58%
