Friday the 13th (1980)

[urbanlegend23]

FRIDAY THE 13TH
STAR RATING: * (out of 5)

DIRECTOR Sean S. Cunningham
STARRING Adrienne King, Betsy Palmer, Laurie Bartram, Harry Crosby, Jeannine Taylor, Kevin Bacon, Mark Nelson, Robbi Morgan, Peter Brouwer
GENRE Horror (although it more fits in “Comedy” for me)
CERTIFICATE M – No Notes
YEAR OF RELEASE 1980

Ahahahahahahahahaha…phew…woah…okay, I’ll calm down. Sorry, I just got finished watching FRIDAY THE 13TH and I still can’t get over how funny it was. That was just by far the funniest comedy I’ve watched in a long time. Oh…what, you say? It’s meant to be a horror film? Even funnier!

As much as I wanted to like this movie, I really just couldn’t bring myself to agree with the 5-star reviews that claim this movie to be “genre defining.” It defines comedy perfectly. But horror, as its intended genre is? No! I’ll just explain the comedy parts now – all of it. This is an endlessly unintentionally funny film, and that’s the only reason it kept me watching. FRIDAY THE 13TH is seriously so bad, corny, contrived, silly and predictable its funny. The part where Marcie is killed is one of the most laughable scenes in the film; her scream is a classic, extremely funny! MAJOR SPOILERS FOR THE END OF THE FILM The ending is however, the most laugh inducing, and one of the stupidest finales I’ve ever seen. Betsy Palmer is presented with a very dumb twist. “Kill her Mummy…kill her!” The revenge story is really stupid, and raises many questions that, of course, are unanswered. The beheading of the killer is hilarious! I was chuckling about that all night! Although most viewers claim the ending to be “shocking”, “disturbing” and “horrifically scary”, I found it uproariously and unintentionally funny. And after the heroine has killed her she just goes and sits in a canoe and falls asleep. Oh, man what a good move! The ending also really annoyed me though; it presents a killer we haven’t seen throughout the entire film that totally ruined any element of mystery. Also, what was with the Jason guy grabbing the chick at the end? He’s been underwater for 30-40 years, and suddenly he’s just ALIVE! I know this inspired the killer of the rest of the series, but please, who is stupid enough to buy that? It’s also confusing because at first it appears to be a dream and then turns into reality, it ultimately felt me muddled. END SPOILERS

Another horrible thing about the movie was the characters and actors who played them. I hated all the characters and didn’t care at all about their deaths. The only one I really even liked mildly was Brenda, who would’ve been a better heroine than laughable Alice was. The characters are people I didn’t respect and who did such stupid things (oh my gosh, I’ve just found a couple of dead bodies…so now I’ll run into the dark part of the forest, screaming my head off, so the killer can hear me!). The actors are all bad, none of them bring life to their dull characters and none of them give plausible or memorable performances. Betsy Palmer tries to be creepy with her role but just isn’t scary at all. It is mostly due to the terrible script, which gives her some ultra-stupid lines to utter. Adrienne King is the worst of all, the scene where she is trying to block the killer from coming in the house is very badly acted (a smart move by the character though), and she says “oooh” and “no” too many times and is needed to shut the hell up and use some source of communication (I’m sure there’s other things besides phones at camps). She really sucked in her role and I hated her character the most.

The rest of the actors are mostly just forgettable. Harry Crosby is over-horny and annoying, Laurie Bartram (looking a lot like Jamie Lee Curtis) is the only actress who managed to be at least average in her role. Mark Nelson isn’t bad but isn’t great. Jeannine Taylor goes way over-the-top. Robbie Morgan (who plays Annie, but look at her first name!) appears to be a very keen actress but like Taylor is over-the-top. Kevin Bacon doesn’t have much to do and like Nelson isn’t bad or great.

FRIDAY THE 13TH is a movie that definitely doesn’t live up to its potential. It had plenty of good ideas in here, the “Friday the 13th” setting is never done to justice though. There is but one sentence about it actually being the full-moon 13th it is but the plot could’ve been thickened by the potentially good idea that the Friday the 13th theme is. Crazy Ralph (Walt Gorney) could’ve had some cool plot twists in the story and maybe more involvement but he has 2 scenes and then disappears.

There were a couple of good points in the movie. It entertained me because it was so unintentionally funny and if it didn’t try to be a horror movie and was actually a comedy in the first place, it would’ve been a way better film. The movie has some cool creepy music (Chi Chi Chi…Ha Ha Ha Ha…) and a few of the killings are terrific and gory (Kevin Bacon gets it bad in a great death scene).

What is lacking though is any likeable characters, good actors, any real style or visual flair and its overall a movie that didn’t live up to the movie it could’ve have been or I heard it was. A big disappointment. As a comedy this would receive like a 4-star rating because its just one of the funniest movies ever, but as a horror or a serious film altogether it receives a very poor grade.

ANY GOOD?
‘Good’ is not a word that can be mished or mashed with FRIDAY THE 13TH. The category this movie belongs in is “laughable.” A true embarrassment to the film industry.
urbanlegend23

[Jason Voorhees]

Personally, If a movie gave me as much enjoyment and merriment as this one seemed to give you, I wouldn't give it a low rating at all. I mean, When is there such a thing as bad laughter? Oh well.

[Cyclonus]

Awww...now I feel much better about panning this movie when I re-watch it. (Coming later this fall! :))

[The Prowler]

Wow I thought the first Friday the 13th was pretty good. I didn't find it laughable at all, if u want to see laughable watch the last three Jason sequels. If you think about it, this was the one of the first slashers to feature some good on the screen kills. I thought all the actors did fine but I do wish that some were killed earlier than others. If you think of all the talent involved with this you have to appreciate the film (ie--Steve Minor, Tom Savini, Harry Manfredini, Sean Cunningham). The setting was very effective but there were scenes that got boring during the middle of the film. This film is an influence for most of the slashers to follow and thats a good thing. If u don't take things serious like the ending this is an effective slasher.....8/10

[The Professional]

Originally posted by The Prowler
If you think about it, this was the one of the first slashers to feature some good on the screen kills.

that definitly makes it a classic. while this film is an obvious cash-in on the success of Halloween, it does excell in atmosphere. nothing remarkable like its been made out to be by horror fans 6/10

[The Claw]

I still think this is one overated movie. i dont like it now. i didnt like it when i saw it the first time i think, an overated, bad, boring, stupid movie and i'm glad the sequels got better and better.

[Michael_myers]

you people only didn't like it cause it didn't have Jason Voorhees in it. In my opinion, this movie did re-invent the slasher genre. Halloween really didn't re-define anything, it was a slasher with not much gore and pretty annoying actresses. This one does a commendable job with gore, effects and acting,. Mrs. Voorhees was more frightening when she beat up alice, than all of Jason Voorhees work put together All togethe ran exceptional film. The deaths were actually creative (hint Halloween, put down the knife and get out the axe or something)

** possible soilers ahead*

Marci and Jack's death still make me cringe, But I didn't dig the offscreen deaths of brenda and Ned. They coulda been way better. the end where Mrs. Voorhees get decapitated still gets me. The film is tight, the picture is clear, and I liked it better than your so called "freats" like Texas Chainsaw Massacre and A Nightmare on Elm Street. but hey, that's just me talking.

[Requiem-for-a-Dream]

Friday the 13th- 10/10

Rated R for Brutal/Gory Murders, brief Nudity and Terror.

Friday the 13th is classic. I don't care how many movies it was trying to cash in on. The atmosphere is amazing, it has solid characters, great death sequences and one hell of an ending.
You guys can dislike it as much as you want but I love it and love the rest of the series as well (some more than others of course).
I'd like to comment on the lack of Jason Voorhees. Do you think the audience who first watched this flick were expecting Jason to do all the murders? OF COURSE NOT!!!! He was introduced in the next flick for a reason.

Gore- 7/10
Decap, axe in the face, arrow through neck, slit throat, arrows in body and one in the eye.

Nudity- 2/10
One breast shot from Kevin Bacon's girl. And Kevin shows his ass for you ladies.

Matt

[FT13TH Addict]

I don't really care what anybody says about the first film (professional review or otherwise), this film is a classic that brought laughable clone teeny bopper movies that are filmed today.
May I make that famous quote from Dirty Harry: "Opinions are like a**holes......everybody has one!"

[Michael_myers]

I really enjoyed this. BEtsy Palmer is one of the scariest horror villains of all. Murder sequences galroe, and although I did like this film better, I don't appreciate your bashing of it.

[Candyman'sBitch]

Let's be real Michael MEyers Without Friday the 13th Halloween 2 would have never been made in 1982 after Friday the 13th in 1981 (around my birthdate mind u) I still find it scarier than the post Scream/WB/MTV predictable garbage scary movies like ( Halloween 7 and 8 , I Still KWYDLSummer, and Urban Legends 2) we are victims of today.:eek:

[Candyman'sBitch]

MY bad Michael Myers My message is to Urban Legend 23
the host of this thread. I respect your opinion but you must be drunk as Crazy Ralph if you think Urban Legend and the Scream clones would've been made without Friday th 13th Hell Case i Scream ws asked about the kiler in Friday the 13th Thatwas the trickiest question for some. Matter fo Fact Paela Voorhees opened the doorfor psycho bitch Brenda in your fave Urban
Legend

[The Claw]

I never liked this movie. Not when i first saw it many moons ago. Not when I rewatched it. A bad, boring, unintresting movie. Really one of the most overated horror films ever. imo. still not 1 out of 5 star bad now, IT did have its moments. maybe a 2 out of 5. still I didnt enjoy it very well. at least most of the sequels got better.

[mjg 15]

Originally posted by Candyman'sBitch
Matter fo Fact Paela Voorhees opened the doorfor psycho bitch Brenda in your fave Urban
Legend

If I'm not mistaken urbanlegend23 has stated several times before that his name is NOT based on that movie, and if I believe he only thinks the movie is so-so.

urbanlegend23: If I'm wrong I apologize. I may have mistook you for someone else.

[Michael_myers]

Originally posted by Candyman'sBitch
Let's be real Michael MEyers Without Friday the 13th Halloween 2 would have never been made in 1982 after Friday the 13th in 1981 (around my birthdate mind u) I still find it scarier than the post Scream/WB/MTV predictable garbage scary movies like ( Halloween 7 and 8 , I Still KWYDLSummer, and Urban Legends 2) we are victims of today.:eek:

You are so reight about that. It may have been corny, but without it, lots of Friday the 13th movies YOU like may not have existed. Bloody Birthday, April Fools Day, Child's Play, and A Nightmare on elm Street may have turned out differently, because Wes craven once said 6that he wanted freddy to be original, but still follow in the footsteps of Jason and Michael myers as a major horror figure. Without Friday 2, Halloween 2 may never have exsted, Nightmare OES would never jhave got off the ground, and more Halloweens, TCM's Psycho movies and such would have been a thing of the past. Although you may all hail TCM and Halloween, Friday the 13th breathed fresh life into what was modern horror.

[Cyclonus]

Friday the 13th (1980)

Director: Sean S. Cunningham

Cast: Adrienne King, Betsy Palmer, Harry Crosby, Laurie Bartram, Jeannine Taylor, Kevin Bacon, Mark Nelson, Robbi Morgan, Peter Brouwer, Walt Gorney

Screenwriter: Victor Miller

Producer: Sean S. Cunningham

A Paramount Pictures release


http://www.joblo.com/arrow/arrowimages/arrowfridaythe13th.jpg


One of the difficulties in reviewing Friday the 13th is that like Halloween, the film has been imitated and ripped off numerous times, too often to look at it in a fresh light. As a matter of fact, this movie was made to cash in on the success of John Carpenter's film. Still, in the long run, this is actually one of the better 1980's slashers. Although it adheres to the traditional formula, it holds up better than much of the subgenre, including some of its own sequels. While the plot may be a bit thin, it does have a certain eerie, gritty atmosphere generally lacking in many other slashers. This is due in no small part to Sean S. Cunningham's effective lensing; in fact this may be the best-directed entry in the series. It did have a pretty low budget, but that rarely hurts the film; its dark, shadowy look lends it a creepy feeling a more polished film may have lacked. The use of point-of-view shots is copied from Halloween, but it's put to good use as the killer stalks the young cast; it is thankfully not overdone. The legendary "Chi Chi" score comes into use for the first time; it may have grown redundant as the series proceeded, but it works like a charm here.

One refreshing aspect of the film is that the teenage characters are not nearly as irritating or obnoxious as most of their counterparts in later entries. We are invited to identify with them and sympathize with their plight, as they fail to realize that a killer is in their midst. Some of the murders are fairly memorable, especially the part where a character gets an arrow in the throat. Said character is played by a pre-fame Kevin Bacon, perhaps the most interesting bit of casting in the series. Betsy Palmer gives an over-the-top performance as the legendary Jason Voorhees' psycho mother, seeking vengeance for the drowning (more on that in a moment) of her son years earlier. It's very unsubtle, but it works in the context of this movie. Her death scene is as gratuitous and crude as they come, but it's a logical conclusion for a slasher.

Oddly enough, Friday the 13th wasn't intended with sequels in mind--at least I think that is what the writer said at one point. Still, the ending, with Jason's spirit haunting the lone survivor of the massacre does allow for that possibility. It's still a pretty eerie scene. Of course, the very next film would contradict this, saying that Jason has been living in hiding for many years. Later on, they would take even more liberties with the character's parameters, to the consternation of some "purists." These type of films are not renowned for their sense of continuity in any case, so let us not dwell upon this further. Overall, this movie makes for a diverting midnight viewing, although its critical reception is unlikely to improve at any time in the near future.


6/10.

[Downfall]

Friday the 13th is a waste! "Halloween" and "A Nightmare on Elm Street" I can still watch today and enjoy it like its a new movie but Friday the 13th is very lame in my book.

But I still do enjoy watching some of the movies from the series just not the first one, big let down!


1/5

[Odd Emu]

Actually I find the First Friday the 13th wayyyyyy overated. it wasn't that good of a movie, 3/5 tops, the fun started in the sequals.

[urbanlegend23]

Originally posted by mjg 15
If I'm not mistaken urbanlegend23 has stated several times before that his name is NOT based on that movie, and if I believe he only thinks the movie is so-so.

urbanlegend23: If I'm wrong I apologize. I may have mistook you for someone else.

Thanks a lot mjg! It's just a name. The movie is only OK, but i like the words "urban" and "legend." I'm sorry if theres a problem with that.

Looks like I've really caused a riot with this thread :(

[Gluttony]

Friday the 13th

Release Date: 1980

Starring: Kevin Bacon (Tremors and Footloose)
Betsy Palmer

Directed by: Sean Cunningham (Terminal Invasion)

Rating: (5/10)

Sequel(s): Part 2, Part 3, The Final Chapter, A New Beginning, Jason Lives, The New Blood, Jason Takes Manhattan, Jason Goes to Hell, Jason X

Nudity: yes, gore: some

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Plot Summary: A killer is murdering camp counselors trying to restart Camp Crystal Lake after it was closed because of some cloudy events. It’s just that short and sweet.
Yeah I know, this is a “classic”, one of the first to bring in the powerful sub genre of slasher film and what not. But that isn’t fair to judge it on what it has done, sure I have respect for the movie, but it doesn’t mean I have to give it a 10.
I admit to liking the film though, I found quite a bit to like actually; Cunningham for starters does a competent job in the directing chair. He kept it dead on and added the occasional stylish shot, such as the shoddy POV shot, to keep me interested and for the most part he does things right. I will admit that he could have done better with some different angles and maybe some pan shots but he does fine and portrays the ominous thunderstorm perfectly.
The slasher genre did have good reason to take this as the lead, the atmosphere is pretty well thrown together and although I never felt threatened the music and the dark woods made it a little unnerving. The movie does well with some good stalk sequences and the kills were nice pay off for the time. The blood is good for the flowing here; we get some stabbing, slit throats, an arrow in the neck (my favorite), and some nice dead bodies too. I felt like the film was going pretty well with these areas but alas the film has its flaws in the most fatal of places.
The characters for starters were not anything to write home about, Kevin Bacon was fun to watch just because he is a long way from his Tremors days. The rest of the cast is cliché and it bothered me mostly because the flick puts enough focus on them that it became a sore thumb stuck in my face (Better than part three were they stuck it in my eye!!!!!). I did find Betsy Palmer to be quite entertaining but she is in the film for a short amount of time so she didn’t get to much effect.
Friday the 13th did give some good talent going behind the screen, Tom Savini did very well with the gore FX here and I commend him for that arrow in the neck, it was just so cool! Otherwise, the film is given average treatment and the material was no better. It was worth the time but most of the sequels are superior to this venture. Maybe rent it.

[Drago Floyd]

Friday the 13th sucks. It's that simple. There is nothing classic or frightening about it, only the first in a row of dumb films. That said, I still find it enjoyable to watch the "Friday" films, mainly because they are so dumb and laughable.

But Friday the 13th does have one great thing about it: the soundtrack, classic stuff.

[Michael_myers]

Friday the 13th? heres what I really think. Yes, cheesy, yes laughable, but some people (wink wink nudge nudge) also find the Exocirst, Psycho, Rosemary's Baby and the Texas Chainsaw massacre rather laughable outdated effects yes, but so are those used in The Exoricst and most of a Nightmare on Elm street, something that Scream and that shit doesn't have is a cast of care free teenagers. They know they suck at acting, they know theyre just around to be corny they know it. I cared because of what they said, I cared, and yes I was surprised by Betsy palmer's psycho acting at the end. Yes the over did it ALOT, but don't you think halloween and A Nightmare on Elm street have been milked to death? I think so too! so think about it. Watch it again, nd pretend your in 1980.

[the night watchman]

I watched "Friday the 13th" Parts 1 and 2 back to back on Showtime for the first time the year Part 3 (in 3-D!) came out theaters. I knew its reputation from friends and Fangoria magazine, and from the controversy surrounding it. At the time, I was fairly inexperienced in watching horror movies, and the flicks scared me silly. But you know, looking back on it, I was more afraid of seeing what I thought I'd see, rather than anything that was actually on the screen.

Nowadays, "Friday the 13th" strikes me as turgid and boring. Without a semblance of genuine suspense, any interesting characters or story lines, gore effects are the only things F13 has to offer. And frankly, once you've seen one axe in the head gag, you've seen them all.

In contrast, though many people roll their eyes at "Halloween" and "Psycho" for their lack of violence and gore, both movies have much to offer even after their capacity to scare you is gone. Gimme an interesting movie over a plethora of squibs and collapsible machetes any day.

[heretic]

I think this is a great movie, but often overated however I would still give it 90% if not just for the movie but the greate effect it had on the slasher genre. Would we have ANOE if there was no F13?

[the night watchman]

Originally posted by heretic
Would we have ANOE if there was no F13?

I'm not convinced "A Nightmare on Elm Street" is a slasher, and I don't think slasher movies had a great influence on it. Without them, ANOES might have been a little different, but the ideas that lead to the script came to Craven fully independent from that subgenre.

[Michael_myers]

I heard Craven started working on Nightmare long before Friday the 13th made it big.

[Inglorious]

Now this is funny. This argument has been going for some time now! Can't we all just... get along? LOL! We're horror genere fans, that doesn't work alot of the time around here! I do know we're all pretty close though (now, don't take it the wrong way) but we're all alike with some different opinions. I love every, YES EVERY, Friday the 13th movie 1-... wait I hate that dumb as Hell stupid Ass 9th so I like 1-8 and X. You see I know most of you hate 5 and X, and the original. That's what opinions are for, but guess what, you know what the most argued thing about on our precious horror boards is? Opinions, I've seen it stated by many, and also by me many times, funny huh? :D

All right, hope this really long post helps... Don't forget you Schmoes are the best! I'd love to meet you all in person, I'm way busy lately, but one day someone should organize a horror schmoe get together where we can organize what movies we can watch, for like the first 10 who sign up, then if everyone agrees and so fourth, and we can have a limited sign up for how many people can come and all, but I know I'm just dreaming so stop me fast. Someones brought it up, but it just hit me, we might be able to pull it off. Oh well, LOL, I must be crazy...

[The Arrow Jr.]

This film rocked! One of the scariest movies of all time. It was orginial and fun. Kevin Bacon's first movie role was this film. He probably had the best death, too. LOL.

I think this is the 2nd best of the series after part 3.

THe only thing missing outta this film is Jason. No F13 is F13 without Jason. But Jason was really there yet so it doesn't matter. I absolutely LOVE this film! The best deaths, good acting, and a great ending.

4/4

[Andrew Tom]

Friday the 13th(1980)*SPOILERS*

This movie is considered a classic among many people and it's highly regarded here on the boards as well. But is it really worth of the "classic" status? The movie was on TV last night and I decided to watch it once again, since I wanted to review something that everyone here has seen or at least knows of. They showed the unrated cut.

You all know the story so I won't go it to that. Now the first few minutes are done well. The atmosphere was close to that of Halloween's. But after the opening credits, it sank like grandpa on christmas eve. The atmosphere is gone, and there's nothing there really. The main characters are introduced to us. The scene with Alice and Steve, where Alice is fixing the roof(?) of one of the huts is one of the worst scenes I've ever seen. Nothing works in that scene. Then comes the first murder, in which the throat-slit looks good.

Then it's just the teens having a good time. I'm guessing Cunningham tried to get us to sympathise(sp?) with them, but I was just mostly annoyed and bored of them. Another death comes along, but this time it's off-screen.

Then we get to the best part of the movie. Kevin Bacon's death. With looks awesome uncut, let me tell you. And the axe in the face is good also. All in all, the deaths are very well done. Bravo, Mr. Savini.

I'll skip to the end with the chase. Betsy Palmer overacts so bad it's almost as bad as Nic Cage's early work. The worst part of the chase is that there's no suspense. And the chase is at least 10 minutes long. At one point Alice is caught, but "lucky" for us Mrs. Voorhees only slaps her a couple of times. In the end Alice decapitates Mrs. Voorhees and all is well. The "Jason-out-of-the-water" thing was cool and must've scared someone. Too bad I knew it in advance.

So, why is it a classic? The on-screen kills is a part of it. But I think(and a friend brought this fact up) the fame belongs to the name. Can you think of a better title to a horror movie? Yep. I think if this was under any other title, the movie would've been forgotten ages ago.

My rating for Friday the 13th:4/10

[pig farmer]

I give it 3 of 10 just for the yellow lightning flash on Kevin Bacon's face. SPOILERS FOR PART 2 I'm glad Alice got what was coming to her in the second one, I hated her so much END PT2 SPOILERS.

[horrorfreak13]

Considering the various noticable spoilers it's an excellent movie. I don't find any scenes that are anything comical.

10/10

[Jason13thh]

F13th first chapter is certainly not my favorite of the serie I prefer much more : F13th 6, 7 and 4.

[myersfan31]

The movie is a Halloween ripoff. it's not original and it's not scary.

But it is one of the best horror movies, great movie. :D

[X-Nightcrawler]

Originally posted by myersfan31
The movie is a Halloween ripoff. it's not original and it's not scary. I dunno...I don't think it's a Halloween ripoff...I think this had a lot of differences, first of, the killer being an old lady with a motive (im not 100% sure but I think Michael didn't have one in the first Halloween), a relatively high odycount and a relative high amout of actual gore. A 'new' campground setting, setting the rules for most slashers (no sex, no booze, no drugs), now token characters (a practical joker, a bitch, a virginal heroine, a hunk, etc...)and a lot of original moments imo.

As a movie it stands well IMO and carries its classic title well, good characters (I actually CARED for them! *hangs head in shame*), a nice story, motive and setting, good original kills (at the time of course), gave birth to great series and agreat UBER (:D) popular killer (Mr. Voorhees people) and an ending I loved. 10/10 in my book.

[myersfan31]

Well the movie WOULD NOT have been made if Halloween didn't come out. It's just a rip off in the sense on how it's played out.

[Inglorious]

Originally posted by X-Nightcrawler
I dunno...I don't think it's a Halloween ripoff...I think this had a lot of differences, first of, the killer being an old lady with a motive (im not 100% sure but I think Michael didn't have one in the first Halloween), a relatively high odycount and a relative high amout of actual gore. A 'new' campground setting, setting the rules for most slashers (no sex, no booze, no drugs), now token characters (a practical joker, a bitch, a virginal heroine, a hunk, etc...)and a lot of original moments imo.

As a movie it stands well IMO and carries its classic title well, good characters (I actually CARED for them! *hangs head in shame*), a nice story, motive and setting, good original kills (at the time of course), gave birth to great series and agreat UBER (:D) popular killer (Mr. Voorhees people) and an ending I loved. 10/10 in my book.

X! It's your 666th post, congrats!!

[X-Nightcrawler]

Originally posted by Penut
X! It's your 666th post, congrats!! WoHOW! I hadn't noticed that!! Thanks!

myersfan31, you have a point...well made.

[ERIN_LoJ]

I'll be honest, I also found this one pretty slow for my tastes and just not my thing. I do enjoy other slower films so there must have been something about this movie I just didn't find that interesting. But I will say one thing: I respect it. It was a good plot if we pretend "Jason" was never re-born afterwards, it was well-done for a movie of its time and age, but I definitely don't think it deserves to be called a "bad" movie - I see it as a well-done film that I just didn't care much for.

I agree with the night watchman on NOES. Ignore the sequels of nightmare, and it would seem to me as well that the original nightmare was not meant to be a "slasher" either. Definitely not in the same sense as Friday the 13th. Even the earlier sequels had major differences. *Now* I consider them of the same vein.

[Draven2277]

i'm going to be honest as well, and do with me what you will....but

i never really cared for this movie, or any of its sequels. and i'm a big hockey fan too. go figure:rolleyes:

[the night watchman]

"Friday the 13th" was just a movie in the right place at the right time. The market possibilities following the success and popularity of "Halloween" were ripe for exploiting, and the slasher subgenre would rear its ugly head no matter what movie got the drop. The only advantage F13 had was that it was the first one out of gate.

[Antonio]

FRIDAY THE 13TH (1980) Directed by Sean S. Cunningham. Starring Betsy Palmer, Adrienne King, Harry Crosby, Laurie Bartram, Mark Nelson, Jeannine Taylor, Robbi Morgan, Kevin Bacon, Peter Brouwer and Walt Gorney. Despite its low budget and worthless sequels, the original FRIDAY THE 13TH stands out among the crowd of blatant HALLOWEEN ripoffs. The story is basic: a group of would-be camp counselors are murdered one at a time by an unseen killer. Without giving away the ending (for the three of you out there who haven't seen it), the final cat-and-mouse game between the film’s heroine Alice (played to perfection by King, a worthy successor to Jamie Lee Curtis's Scream Queen crown) and the film's killer is the ultimate experience in pure horror filmmaking and moviegoing. And that ending! It sure still packs a wallop after 20 years! The presumed dead Jason jumping out of the murky waters of Crystal Lake and attacking Alice in the canoe is a far better dream sequence jolt than the infamous CARRIE finale (where Amy Irving, looking like a zombie bride, is attacked by a hand from beyond the grave). Bacon (in one of his first film roles) is fun as Jack, who gets it in the throat with an arrow after making love to his girlfriend Marcie(Taylor), Gorney is effectively creepy as the town loony Crazy Ralph ("You're all doomed!"), and Morgan is terrific as the first victim, Annie (who audiences mistakenly believed would be the film's heroine since she was the first established character in the post-credits scene). The rest of the cast is pretty good for this type of amateur outing. Tom Savini's makeup effects are superb, as is the "shrieking violins" score by Harry Manfredini (an obvious PSYCHO riff, but still effective). King still stands out as my favorite leading lady in the FRIDAY series. Whatever happened to her? My grade for this original: A

[ERIN_LoJ]

Originally posted by myersfan31
The movie is a Halloween ripoff. it's not original and it's not scary.

But it is one of the best horror movies, great movie. :D

If a vampire film does big, they make more vamp films - same with everything. So Halloween was the FIRST slasher film. So someone else thought they would make a diffferent type of slasher film they hoped would be as popular and used a different plot but same type. It's ALWAYS done. I don't consider it a ripoff and don't get why people say this.

Sure, F13th may not have come out otherwise, but then again maybe the other slashers wouldnt have either.

Just my thoughts as usual :D

[X-Nightcrawler]

Originally posted by ERIN_LoJ
If a vampire film does big, they make more vamp films - same with everything. So Halloween was the FIRST slasher film. So someone else thought they would make a diffferent type of slasher film they hoped would be as popular and used a different plot but same type. It's ALWAYS done. I don't consider it a ripoff and don't get why people say this.

Sure, F13th may not have come out otherwise, but then again maybe the other slashers wouldnt have either.

Just my thoughts as usual :D You go! I said the same back there. But....are you all SURE Halloween was the first slasher?

[the night watchman]

Originally posted by X-Nightcrawler
You go! I said the same back there. But....are you all SURE Halloween was the first slasher?

It depends on how you how you define the slasher subgenre. "Halloween" set up the formula, for sure, but it was inspired by movies like TCM and even "Psycho." I don't consider either of these slasher flicks. (In fact, I don't really even consider "Halloween" a slasher".) Other movies like "Bay of Blood," also had their influences on the slasher genre, but again, it seems like slasher movies are specifically about teenagers or young adults getting graphically whacked "Ten Little Indians"-style by an unknown killer, for mysterious reasons. There's usually very little plot or characterization, and much padding between the murder set pieces.

[Mojo67821]

I've been thinking about Friday the 13th for a while, ever since I first saw this thread because I started to wonder why I do like it as much as i do.

The answer I came up with is "Nostalgia". You can't underestimate the power a film has on you when you watch it as a little kid, it just stays in your head. The first time I saw it I was too young and probably shouldn't have been watching it, and it scared the crap out of me.

A good example is Dawn of the Dead. Most Schmoes saw it when they were young, and think it's the best film ever. I saw it for the first time when I was 20, and I think it's highly overrated, and very boring in spots. I don't have those memories in my head of loving it as a kid.

So in answer to the question at the heart of this thread, a lot of us like 'Friday the 13th' because in many ways it broke many of our 'horror cherries', and you can't underestimate having a long standing relationship with a film.

[ERIN_LoJ]

Hm, pretty good point there. I never considered that. It's similiar to some of the wierd horror I loved as a kid simply because that was all there was I could watch at the time in that genre.

[Function13]

Heretic, Arrow Jr, Horrorfreak13 and Antonio- Well done, you actually sound like you know what you're talking about. It seems that the problem most of you have against this film is that it sucks when you compare it to other films and to offer an objective review you need to see a film as it is, not what it could've been or isn't as good as. Friday the 13th isn't as good as part n because part n includes Jason, or is more exciting, or has a better premise, I wonder, can any of you nay-sayers still watch Psycho without falling asleep? Or Halloween? Or any slasher films that rely heavily on suspense rather than cheap thrills?

The music used in Friday the 13th is a very primitive variation on the Psycho soundtrack but works well, the sharp chords at the climax jangle your nerves in just the right way. The stalker that isn't just rarely seen but barely seen capitalises on the suspense films dependence on the viewers imagination and this seems to be where most people encounter problems. Sometimes to get as much out of a film as possible, you have to put something into it. In this case you have to empty your head of all the other slasher films you've seen, don't compare it, turn the lights off, the sound up and watch alone in your house. This film takes what Halloween does and makes it better, stronger and easier to relate to in that we could all understand the teenagers motivations of wanting to have fun, and the killers motivations of revenge.

Objectivity is the key to enjoying film.

[the night watchman]

Originally posted by Function13
I wonder, can any of you nay-sayers still watch Psycho without falling asleep? Or Halloween? Or any slasher films that rely heavily on suspense rather than cheap thrills?


Yes, because "Psycho" and "Halloween" rely on suspense rather than cheap thrills. Both movies are much more creative and interesting (and technically competent) on a purely cinematic (acting, cinematography, pacing, editing, script structure) level than F13, so they maintain interest even after they are no longer scary. When "Friday the 13th" -- or any move that exists purely on "cheap thrills" -- fails to thrill any longer, what is left to it? Tom Savinin's special effects? I'll look in the pages of Fango. The score? I'll get the soundtrack.

[AliLarterFan]

This is the best in the series. 10/10

Here is my order of the series.

1. Friday The 13th(Boo Ya It Rocked) 10/10
2. Part 2 8/10
3. Part 5 8/10
4. Part 8 7/10
5. Part 7 7/10
6. Part 4 7/10
7. Part 6 7/10
8. Part 3 6/10
9. Jason X 5/10
10 JGTH(Uhh It Sucked) 2/10

I loved It.:D :cool: :) :p ;)

[Santa Claus]

I thought the first Friday The 13th movie was awesome.

In fact, I think all the ones with human Jason are the most creepy.

But we all have different opinions.

I didn't care for a lot of the Nightmare On Elm Street movies and don't see how anyone could be scared of them. They all remind me of Disney movies with how unrealistic they are, and the only people who should fear Freddy are little girls.

With Jason, he gets you awake or alsleep...male or female...no matter how old you are....in fact, only things that are safe with Jason are dogs....and little girls. LOL.


But I don't want to turn this into a "Freddy vs. Jason" debate.

I am just saying we all have different tastes in what scares us.

Most movies that scare me take place in the woods it seems......and the killers who scare me the most are the ones who say nothing, and let their actions do all the talking for them.

[Lara]

Originally posted by ERIN_LoJ
If a vampire film does big, they make more vamp films - same with everything. So Halloween was the FIRST slasher film. So someone else thought they would make a diffferent type of slasher film they hoped would be as popular and used a different plot but same type. It's ALWAYS done. I don't consider it a ripoff and don't get why people say this.

Sure, F13th may not have come out otherwise, but then again maybe the other slashers wouldnt have either.

Just my thoughts as usual :D


Some people say that a movie called Black Christmas inspired Halloween.

Black Christmas came out in 1974, four years before Halloween. So no Halloween isn't the first slasher film. I'm not even saying Black Christmas is either mind you.

[robk]

I agree that it wasn't much of a horror film compared to Halloween(due, in large part, to the fact that it was much easier to root for Donald Pleasance & the 3 girls in that film). I also agree that Friday the 13th is one of the(unintentionally?) funniest movies ever made.
What amazes me the most, though, is that out of the cast of nobodys in that film, only Kevin Bacon went on to have anything resembling a career; indeed, today, he's one of our best character actors(in 1980, he was only known as 'the guy from Animal House').

[TheJadedGamer]

4th Favorite Friday.

1. Friday the 13th Part VI (8/10)
2. Friday the 13th Part IV (8/10)
3. Friday the 13th Part III (8/10)
4. Friday the 13th (7/10)
5. Friday the 13th Part VII (7/10)
6. Friday the 13th Part V (7/10)
7. Jason X (7/10)
8. Friday the 13th Part II (6/10)
9. Friday the 13th Part VIII (6/10)
10. Jason Goes to Hell (6/10)

[chaos666]

6/10 for this one. granted this movie ain't halloween but it's sequels were a major staple of my early years of horror watching. the low budget gives this movie a gritty, almost crude atmosphere that really helped out.
best scene: jason leeping out of the lake at the end.

[DaRkToOtH]

fuck halloween and fuck michael myers :)

o yeah. friday the 13th really wasnt all that, the sequels r much more enjoyable imo

[BleedingBoy]

Wow, there's a lot of people on here that liked part 6. Personally I think part 6 blows dogs for quarters. Well just wanted to state my opinion real quick! :D