Horror 101 Part 1

First in a series of my favorite horror films.

Friday the 13th redefined the horror genre. Sure, the genre was kick started with John Carpenter's Halloween, but it took Sean Cunningham to take it to the next level. I'll leave it to you to debate whether this was a good thing.

To date Friday has spawned ten sequels and a cult icon, maybe the most famous star in horror, Jason Voorhees.

After eight films the franchise was sold to New Line Cinema. Or part of the franchise anyway. New Line bought the Jason name, leaving everything else behind. This partnership spawned one underwhelming film, Jason Goes to Hell. Neither a box office or critical success, the franchise probably could have ended right there.

Then somebody had the idea to team up two horror icons. What if we took Freddy Krueger and Jason and put them in the same film?

Interesting, but that's not what this post is about. You see as the years dragged on and Freddy Vs. Jason took the long route to the big screen, Sean Cunningham got restless. He decided he needed to get Jason back on the screen and Jason X was born.

Jason X is certainly the most unique of the Friday films. It as much a science fiction film as it is a horror film and though no one is ever going to put it in the same class as Alien, it is a rather interesting twist on the genre.

Is this a great movie? No.

Let's face it, if you watch these movies because you are looking for great cinema, you have gotten off at the wrong stop. I might suggest you get back on the bus and go rent something else.

Is this a bizarre romp through the horrific world of Camp Crystal Lake in space? Yes!

After summer camp, New York and a trip to hell what can you do? You go to space, of course. I'm amazed that the folks behind this were able to head to the nearest galaxy at all. Space movies demand a lot more budget than the Friday films have ever had, but amazingly these guys managed to wring a lot out of the meager 10 million they were given to make this movie. This leads me to suspect these sets were leftover from another film (or TV series) and the Jason X producers, in classic Irwin Allen style, borrowed them.

Why do I like this film?

In most of these movies the teenagers have no chance. The mindless killer moves from one scene to another, hacking them to pieces. Not in Jason X. These kids have Space Marines on board. Space Marines with BFG's. They even call their guns BFG's! How cheesy videogame movie can you get!

They also have a kick-butt android who is souped up, smart and strong. In other words, old Jason has a challenge on his hands.

Well, not really.

The reality is the Space Marines are no more than machete fodder and the android gives Jason a good run early on, but even she can't stand up to what Jason becomes later in the film when he is exposed to the ultra-modern healing technology on the space station. Yep. Jason on steroids, with big and mean robotic parts (I love killer robots).

As for the cast, Lexa Doig puts on the best performance. You may have seen her in Gene Roddenberry's Andromeda or Earth: Final Conflict. She's building up quite a few credits in the Sci Fi world, so I would say she definitely doesn't fall into the category of making a Friday movie and then dissapearing.

I got a kick out of Lisa Ryder as Kay Em also. Androids are tough to play and she does a nice job. They probably should have added her to the Enterprise cast, heaven knows that show needed something. Kane Hodder continues in the role of Jason and he is perfect in the role of the hulking brute. I guess if the Oscars ever add "hulking brute" as a category, he's got it made.

Then there's the female factor. I suspect this is probably the number two reason people see these movies (the males anyway). Kristi Angus is cute, but screen time is minimal, see next paragraph regarding the liquid nitro. Melyssa Ade lasts a lot longer and is a better actress, so keep your eye out for her. I love the look and hairstyle of one of the VR girls (Kaye Penaflor or Tania Maro). Sorry, I have no idea which girl is which? But it is just so late 70's early 80's. Perfect. My wife had that exact hair style in high school!

The best scene in the film? You HAVE to see Jason enter the Virtual Reality world of Camp Crystal Lake. This scene is just over 2 minutes, but it's "horror film" perfect.

As for the unique ways in which Jason's victims are dispatched (the number one reason people see these films), the liquid nitro one right at the beginning of the movie is pretty darn unique. After that, there's a lot of standard stuff, though the giant "drill bit " scene qualifies as the worst line in the movie. Imagine this - Space Marine falls on a giant inverted corkscrew, it penetrates his chest and he slowly spirals to his death. Later he is discovered by another Space Marine. Her comment? "He's screwed."

See what I mean? It's so bad, it's good!

Jason X didn't do big numbers at the box office, it basically recovered costs, but the much delayed Freddy Vs. Jason did eventually make it to the screen and that film came close to the 100 million mark. It's not nearly as entertaining as this film.

Will we see more of the maniac in a hockey mask? You bet we will.

So begins my list of horror film favorites. Yes, you have to check your brain at the door for this one. But taken in the approriate spirit, this film is an entertaining romp through slasher movie cliches and low budget science fiction.

'til  Jason meets Will Robinson. Danger ! Danger!

Keep the Adventure Alive,

AT

Comments

[Dan]

My wife is a huge horror film fan. She has the entire Friday series on DVD. I've seen Jason X, and could barely sit through it. I will say I really enjoyed Freddie V. Jason. It had a sense of humor through out it.

[gnumoon]

This is so funny...I spent most of yesterday brainstorming and then producing our "Midnight Madness" campaign.
Since it's on Oct. 13, and has a Halloween feel every year, I had to go with the "Friday the 13th" theme.

http://www.appstate.edu/~prattlc/madness.png

[Tom Calhoun]

Great design! I love the way you did the year.