Friday the 13th: Part 2 (1981)
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| Directed by: |
Steve
Miner
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| Starring: |
Amy
Steel/Ginny |
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John
Forey/Paul |
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Stuart
Charno/Ted |
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Warrington
Gilette/Jason |
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| RATING
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PLOT-CRUNCH:
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Five years
after the original film, a group of dumb teens decide to re-open a camp
NEAR Camp Crystal Lake. They are warned not to venture across the fence
because Camp Crystal Lake is condemned but of course they don't listen.
That really pisses Jason (Gillette) off and he spring cleans their asses
while wearing a pillow case on his head.
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THE
LOWDOWN: |
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I’ve
always been half and half with this sequel. On one end, I dug the opening
sequence with Adrienne King, truly grooved to one of the kills
(wheelchair) and enjoyed the creepy and jolt filled final showdown. I also
appreciated seeing Jason finally getting into the body count ring. Yup,
this entry marked Voorhees' first appearance in the Friday the 13Th
series. He wore a pillow case on his head and carried his mom’s head
around. What’s not to love? Lastly the ample showcase of female flesh
helped make the proceedings go down smoother than a hooker stroking you
after having banged three call-girls. Call me a perv…but in my book, hot
naked ladies are always a plus when it comes to enjoying a slasher.
On
the other hand, the whole felt a lot like a poor imitation of the first
film to me but with a shakier screenplay structure. We get a lot of
copycat scenes and shoddy writing. An example of the latter; why was that
badly executed bar scene even in the film? Could’ve found something more
compelling to cut away to. And why was that Stu dude introduced in the
first place? He was never killed off! That always annoyed the crap out of
me. Furthermore, I often felt like I was watching a porno but with
“kills’ replacing “cumshots”. That would’ve been fine if at
least the flick delivered in the gore department. But we don’t even get
that sweet jive to sugar things up! What’s the point then? Add to that
the fact that apart from Ginny (Steel) and Paul’s INSANE hair cut, I had
a hard time giving a fudge about anybody in this Zoo and you get a slasher
that didn’t give me much to hold on to throughout.
Overall
Friday the 13Th Part 2 was yes, watchable (At 87 minutes, it
better be!) and it sported a couple of standout scenes but the whole
failed to blow me to completion. You’re call Campers!
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| ACTING: |
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Amy Steel was
the sole actress that left an impression on me. She played a psychology
student named Ginny who had lots of attitude and charm to spare. Ginny was
an original when it comes to slasher flicks. She was actually smart, attractive, independent, sexually active and she
survived…GO GIRL! I’m
surprised Miss Steel didn’t become a full on star, because she had that
star quality…you can always see her in April’s Fools Day. Warrington
Gillette and his “one” eye were effective as Jason.
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| GORE: |
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Don’t
blink or you might miss the kills; although brutal, the flick cut away
mucho fast after they happened. We get an ice pick in the temple, choking
with barb wire, hammer in the head, slashed throat, knifings, machete in
the face, double impaling and a severed head.
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| T
& A: |
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YES SIR!!!
Lots of it. I think all of the women in this film took off their shirts at
some point! We’re treated to an exquisite butt shot, full frontal nudity
and lots of bra shots. In this one teens don't need an excuse to take off
their clothes, they just do!
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| DIRECTING: |
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Miner (in his
directorial debut) did his best Cunningham impression. The flick didn’t
have its own “visual” voice and that took away from it. Miner did
“ace” the opening and the conclusion on a visual standpoint though;
I’ll give him that. If only he would’ve gone that way throughout!
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| SOUNDTRACK: |
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The
same as in the first…it still worked. You can have someone clipping
they’re toe nails; put that Ki Ki Ki in the background…and you’ll
get a creepy scene.
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| BOTTOM LINE: |
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Friday the 13th
Part 2 looked, smelled and acted like all those Friday The 13th
clones that came out after the original. It was by the numbers, it copied
the original too much while managing to be somewhat dumber. If the gore
quotient would’ve been jacked up, I would’ve been way more lenient on
this puppy. I say, see it for Amy Steel, a couple of strong scenes and all
the TNA you can eat and then watch part 3 and 4 to gap the void!
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| BULL'S EYE: |
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Miner had such a good time directing Part 2 that he decided to direct Part
3 too. In Part 2 notice the cat jumping through an open window, it’s so
obvious it’s some dude (probably Miner) throwing the poor feline in.
That pussy flies! Part of your therapy Miner? You sick bastard…I love
you.
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