nemesis
08-02-2001, 03:58 PM
Texas Chainsaw Massacre(9/10)
Probably one of the greatest horror films of all time, this masterpiece of ambient terror set the standard for many others to follow. Low budget, gritty and absolutely terrifying. The disturbing music score rumbles and rattles as the notorious and demented family terrorize and kill young folks who fall into their clutches.
There's no gore but it is not needed, the brutality would not be considered much today. What is hard about watching this film is the emotionally draining scenes where Leatherface is chasing young and terrified Marilyn Burns over and over again. The trauma she suffers when she's caught and subjected to the images inside the family's house; it's absolute madness! The ending to this is quite good and it makes you think they're still out there.
The many sequels were unnecessary, as usual, and some say this is nothing but exploitation fare. Supposedly and very loosely based on serial killer Ed Gein.
Texas Chainsaw Massacre part 2(7/10)
Enjoyable sequel to the classic original. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre was never this humorous and the approach Hooper used in this sequel makes it different and a very good watch. I watched the original 95 minute version of the film and I was disappointed. Tom Savini's gore was cut out and this really spoiled it for me. Well, those gods of horror film releasing Elite have unleashed this very necessary 111 minute version with all the trimmings.
The twisted Sawyer family are back and they're still in the meat business. The story has a couple of young punks raising hell in a car. The two call up DJ Stretch (Caroline Williams) on a cell phone and she hears them meet their gory demise. The rest is history as witness Williams is pursued by the crazy family. She enlists the help of Lefty (Dennis Hopper in an incredible OTT role).
A statement I have made more than once: TOM SAVINI IS A MAKE-UP GOD!!!! There are some very similar scenes to the first movie in this. Very good film nonetheless.
Leatherface:Texas Chainsaw Massacre 3(4/10)
The third installment falls very short, to the point that I thought it was disappointing. The so-called uncut version didn't have a whole lot more gore and it was missing a very famous scene that I kept hearing about. This one is more like a remake of the first with the exhuming of bodies, gas station sequence, the old house in the backwoods and the introduction of more family members. Maybe this is not supposed to be a remake though, as Leatherface is wearing a brace on his leg from the wound he received in #1. In a way, it would have to be a remake, due to the fact that he was killed in #2 (who can forget Savini's astonishing gore). Anyway, it's got a lot of inconsistencies!
The movie isn't all that bad, the opening is superb with Leatherface carving himself a new mask. Some nice metal music and Ken Foree kicking the families butts from here to Tuesday. The film just didn't try hard enough for the genuine scares though, they take the easy path with the obvious and predictable ones . Worth a watch but don't expect anything spectacular.
Return of the Texas Chainsaw Massacre(1/10)
You don't know how anxiously I wanted to see this. The only problem is I was let down, as in dropped off a sixty story building. I couldn't believe what original TCM writer Kim Henkel and the writer/director did. Henkel ruined everything fans loved about the films by turning Leatherface into a stupid looking sissy who towards the end of the film dresses up as a fat lady.
He chases around Renee Zellweger very unconvincingly as Zellweger tries to do a very bad impression of Marilyn Burns.
All the terror is lost and this can't even qualify as a sequel, it's more of a lame tribute or remake. Matthew McConaughey has an awful role and the family in general isn't nearly as creepy. They're not even real cannibals anymore, instead they eat pizza, what a farce!
The film never explains itself and the outcome leaves you very dissatisfied. The ending was awful and after seeing this tripe I'm drooling to see the original again.
Probably one of the greatest horror films of all time, this masterpiece of ambient terror set the standard for many others to follow. Low budget, gritty and absolutely terrifying. The disturbing music score rumbles and rattles as the notorious and demented family terrorize and kill young folks who fall into their clutches.
There's no gore but it is not needed, the brutality would not be considered much today. What is hard about watching this film is the emotionally draining scenes where Leatherface is chasing young and terrified Marilyn Burns over and over again. The trauma she suffers when she's caught and subjected to the images inside the family's house; it's absolute madness! The ending to this is quite good and it makes you think they're still out there.
The many sequels were unnecessary, as usual, and some say this is nothing but exploitation fare. Supposedly and very loosely based on serial killer Ed Gein.
Texas Chainsaw Massacre part 2(7/10)
Enjoyable sequel to the classic original. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre was never this humorous and the approach Hooper used in this sequel makes it different and a very good watch. I watched the original 95 minute version of the film and I was disappointed. Tom Savini's gore was cut out and this really spoiled it for me. Well, those gods of horror film releasing Elite have unleashed this very necessary 111 minute version with all the trimmings.
The twisted Sawyer family are back and they're still in the meat business. The story has a couple of young punks raising hell in a car. The two call up DJ Stretch (Caroline Williams) on a cell phone and she hears them meet their gory demise. The rest is history as witness Williams is pursued by the crazy family. She enlists the help of Lefty (Dennis Hopper in an incredible OTT role).
A statement I have made more than once: TOM SAVINI IS A MAKE-UP GOD!!!! There are some very similar scenes to the first movie in this. Very good film nonetheless.
Leatherface:Texas Chainsaw Massacre 3(4/10)
The third installment falls very short, to the point that I thought it was disappointing. The so-called uncut version didn't have a whole lot more gore and it was missing a very famous scene that I kept hearing about. This one is more like a remake of the first with the exhuming of bodies, gas station sequence, the old house in the backwoods and the introduction of more family members. Maybe this is not supposed to be a remake though, as Leatherface is wearing a brace on his leg from the wound he received in #1. In a way, it would have to be a remake, due to the fact that he was killed in #2 (who can forget Savini's astonishing gore). Anyway, it's got a lot of inconsistencies!
The movie isn't all that bad, the opening is superb with Leatherface carving himself a new mask. Some nice metal music and Ken Foree kicking the families butts from here to Tuesday. The film just didn't try hard enough for the genuine scares though, they take the easy path with the obvious and predictable ones . Worth a watch but don't expect anything spectacular.
Return of the Texas Chainsaw Massacre(1/10)
You don't know how anxiously I wanted to see this. The only problem is I was let down, as in dropped off a sixty story building. I couldn't believe what original TCM writer Kim Henkel and the writer/director did. Henkel ruined everything fans loved about the films by turning Leatherface into a stupid looking sissy who towards the end of the film dresses up as a fat lady.
He chases around Renee Zellweger very unconvincingly as Zellweger tries to do a very bad impression of Marilyn Burns.
All the terror is lost and this can't even qualify as a sequel, it's more of a lame tribute or remake. Matthew McConaughey has an awful role and the family in general isn't nearly as creepy. They're not even real cannibals anymore, instead they eat pizza, what a farce!
The film never explains itself and the outcome leaves you very dissatisfied. The ending was awful and after seeing this tripe I'm drooling to see the original again.