The most anticipated sequel to a horror film never made it to the big screen but instead was relegated to the four color world of comics. After the huge success of the film Freddy Vs. Jason there was takes about a sequel, the most talked about being the proposed Freddy Vs. Jason Vs. Ash story that would combine the two kings of the slasher genre with that of the hero of The Evil Dead and Army of Darkness films. This never fully materialized (for various reasons) but the treatment for that proposed film was the outline for this six issue limited series that makes up the graphic novel. Published by Dynamite Entertainment and Wildstorm the story of Freddy Vs. Jason Vs. Ash is one that every fan of any of the series would have loved to have seen as a film.
The story begins after the events in the Freddy Vs. Jason movie where Freddy finds himself trapped in the mind of Jason. Freddy’s only hope of getting out is through the help of the Necronomicon, The Book of the Dead which currently resides in the old Voorhees home (as witnessed in Jason Goes To Hell: The Final Friday). At this same time S-Mart is opening a new Super S-Mart on the former stomping grounds of Camp Crystal Lake and Ash is on hand to help the store get in shape before the grand opening. Ash, being the hunter of deadites that he is, believes that he is being lured there by the Book of the Dead for some nefarious reasons. It is not long before Ash encounters what’s left of some of Jason’s victims and he believes it is his destiny to rid the world of Jason (whom he thinks is a deadite). It doesn’t take long before Ash realizes that Jason is only the tool of a greater evil, Freddy, who with the Book of the Dead will be able to meld the dream world and the real world together so that he will have total reign. In true Army of Darkness fashion, Ash will blunder and kill anything and everything that gets in his way from destroying the Book of the Dead once and for all.
One of the reasons why this story works so well is the care with the story (Story by Jeff Katz & Script by James A. Kuhoric) and art (by Jason Craig) given to book which references all three film franchises both in terms of story and visuals. For The Evil Dead fans there are a lot of visual nods to The Evil Dead II, which just allow the comedy to flow. Surprisingly, Freddy is wisely not seen as the comic element in the story (although he does have his moments) but instead he is the grand mastermind behind an elaborate plot that’s more complex then anything seen in his films. Jason is given plenty of room to kill…well, just about everybody as this series has more blood flowing then any of the films (thank the heavens). This is definitely a Hard-R rated comic with plenty of surprises by the end.
Having only read a handful of the various comic book series based on these characters now being released by Dynamite Entertainment and Wildstorm it was a relief to know that I didn’t have to have read any of those series to enjoy this story. In fact, you don’t really need to have seen the film Freddy Vs. Jason as the series gives a quick recap of the events of the film for those readers just familiar with the characters.
This is one of the few books I think should have been made into a film but if all I have is this graphic novel then I’m not really going to complain any more.
CITY GARDEN - "The Old Woman & The Park"
On the set of the short film "A Gift"
Showing posts with label Friday the 13th. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Friday the 13th. Show all posts
Friday, April 17, 2009
Saturday, April 11, 2009
THE LAST HOUSE ON THE LEFT (2009) Tries To Bring New Life To The Remake Genre!
Having not been a big fan of the original Wes Craven film I had mixed expectations about this modern day remake The Last House On The Left (2009). The original film written and directed by Craven is a cult classic more because of the taboos it broke when originally released especially in terms of the rape and murder brought upon to the main characters. It is a film more remembered for its exploitation aspects and the fact that it is Craven’s first major motion picture then it is for actually being a good film.
The new film written by Adam Alleca and Carl Ellsworth and directed by Dennis Iliadis couldn’t rely on breaking cinematic taboos or violent carnage because its all been seen and done before (just take a look at what the French have been releasing over the last few years with Inside, High Tension, and Frontiers). The new film expands on the original story while also relying mostly on mood, suspense, and very good performances by the entire cast.
Craven, who produces the remake, has made it a career with polished horror films for the main stream audience from the Scream franchise to the more recent Red Eye and The Hills Have Eyes remake (and its sequel) and that same aesthetic is on display here. This film has none of the low budget trappings of Craven’s earlier films but is refined and has a few name actors with Monica Potter (of Along Came A Spider and television’s Boston Legal) and Tony Goldwyn (of Ghost, Kuffs, and for you horror film-fans Friday the 13th Part 6: Jason Lives), to name a few.
I could go into detail about the plot of the film but when it comes to remakes the plot never really changes from the original and I don’t like to sound like a broken record but I will say that this film, as directed by Iliadis, is more suspenseful and exciting then the Craven original and actually makes for a better cinematic film. Unlike the Craven film (which isn’t really a film for everyone), this newer version is a film that most audiences can enjoy in the same guilty pleasure as Craven’s more recent Scream franchise or films like Saw, Hostel, or Halloween (2008).
The new film written by Adam Alleca and Carl Ellsworth and directed by Dennis Iliadis couldn’t rely on breaking cinematic taboos or violent carnage because its all been seen and done before (just take a look at what the French have been releasing over the last few years with Inside, High Tension, and Frontiers). The new film expands on the original story while also relying mostly on mood, suspense, and very good performances by the entire cast.
Craven, who produces the remake, has made it a career with polished horror films for the main stream audience from the Scream franchise to the more recent Red Eye and The Hills Have Eyes remake (and its sequel) and that same aesthetic is on display here. This film has none of the low budget trappings of Craven’s earlier films but is refined and has a few name actors with Monica Potter (of Along Came A Spider and television’s Boston Legal) and Tony Goldwyn (of Ghost, Kuffs, and for you horror film-fans Friday the 13th Part 6: Jason Lives), to name a few.
I could go into detail about the plot of the film but when it comes to remakes the plot never really changes from the original and I don’t like to sound like a broken record but I will say that this film, as directed by Iliadis, is more suspenseful and exciting then the Craven original and actually makes for a better cinematic film. Unlike the Craven film (which isn’t really a film for everyone), this newer version is a film that most audiences can enjoy in the same guilty pleasure as Craven’s more recent Scream franchise or films like Saw, Hostel, or Halloween (2008).
Friday, January 16, 2009
FILM REVIEW: FRIDAY THE 13TH: THE FINAL CHAPTER - THE WORKPRINT
Anyone who has seen the original theatrical release of FRIDAY THE 13TH: THE FINAL CHAPTER knows that this film was meant the be the one that put the nail in the coffin on Jason Voorhees. Coming on the heels of the third part (which had its 3-D gimmick) this film was the one in which Jason dies. History know that you just can’t keep a good mass murderer down and after the unexpected success of this film the series had a new lease on life and the carnage continued (to this year’s remake).
If you’re lucky to get a copy of the WORKPRINT version of the film then you’re in for a treat (in regards to the die-hard Jason fans) because there are several scenes that were trimmed from the final release version. Although none of these scenes add any blood to the proceedings they do add to characterization especially in regards to the Tommy Jarvis (Corey Feldman) character. There are several added scare moments in regards to Tommy and his masks. One scene extends the scene in which Tommy & Trish (Kimberly Beck) are having car troubles before getting help from Rob (Erich Anderson) and the scene with Tommy and Rob in his bedroom are extended.
There are several other scenes like this that are extended but no scenes that were ultimately cut and then re-instated. It appears that nothing significant was missing from the film (although I always thought that the off-screen death of Tommy’s mother was left on the cutting room floor). Like my viewing of the CREEPSHOW: WORKPRINT, not much was left out that truly adds to the plot and/or story of the film but it’s interesting to finally see some of the scenes that were trimmed in their entirety (unless of course that death scene of Tommy’s mother truly was filmed and I’m still missing out).
I will say that I find it very interesting the differences between the release version of a film and its workprint or alternate cut. With the impending release of the FRIDAY THE 13TH remake, the first three films in the series will finally be released uncut so many fans will finally be able to see those films in their entirety. I just hope this version is not so far behind.
If you’re lucky to get a copy of the WORKPRINT version of the film then you’re in for a treat (in regards to the die-hard Jason fans) because there are several scenes that were trimmed from the final release version. Although none of these scenes add any blood to the proceedings they do add to characterization especially in regards to the Tommy Jarvis (Corey Feldman) character. There are several added scare moments in regards to Tommy and his masks. One scene extends the scene in which Tommy & Trish (Kimberly Beck) are having car troubles before getting help from Rob (Erich Anderson) and the scene with Tommy and Rob in his bedroom are extended.
There are several other scenes like this that are extended but no scenes that were ultimately cut and then re-instated. It appears that nothing significant was missing from the film (although I always thought that the off-screen death of Tommy’s mother was left on the cutting room floor). Like my viewing of the CREEPSHOW: WORKPRINT, not much was left out that truly adds to the plot and/or story of the film but it’s interesting to finally see some of the scenes that were trimmed in their entirety (unless of course that death scene of Tommy’s mother truly was filmed and I’m still missing out).
I will say that I find it very interesting the differences between the release version of a film and its workprint or alternate cut. With the impending release of the FRIDAY THE 13TH remake, the first three films in the series will finally be released uncut so many fans will finally be able to see those films in their entirety. I just hope this version is not so far behind.
FILM REVIEW: FRIDAY THE 13TH: A NEW BEGINNING - VERSION 2
Not being a fan of this film in particular I was curious when I heard about “Version 2” which claimed to have alternate scenes and takes and different music, so, I decided “what the hell” I’m game. As directed by Danny Steinmann FRIDAY THE 13TH: A NEW BEGINNING was a departure from the previous films in that the killer was not Jason Voorhees but a paramedic who wanted revenge for the death of his son. To many people this film was a lame attempt trying to find a way to revive what should have been a dead franchise, but it did just this (as the subsequent 5 sequels and upcoming remake will attest). Don’t be ashamed, I thought it was a lame movie as well, until now.
Upon viewing the film again (for the first time in many years mind you) I realized that the film had a good template as a starting off point; it was just the “green” cast that made the film seem worse then it was. There are many parallels to the original film mainly in that like the original the killer is never seen but only hinted at whenever s/he kills someone. This was meant to hide the identity of the killer. The first film had the huge reveal of it being Pamela Voorhees who is the killer whereas this film has the killer being the paramedic. Both killers are motivated by the death of their child at the hand s of a caregiver; in the first film the caregiver was the camp councilors whereas in this film is was the so-called half-way house for disturbed teenagers. Both films also feature the death of random teenagers/characters (although in this film the killer seems to mover all over the place to various locations).
Although both films are filled with relatively fresh actors (so that you don’t know who will be killed next), the first film had an excuse as it was done on an extremely low budget whereas this film should have had a higher caliber cast given the much bigger budget. What this film does have is a huge body count even though the deaths are somewhat less imaginative then in some of the previous sequels. Another asset to this film is the continued reliance of the character of Tommy Jarvis (from the previous film) who is still haunted by the image and presence of the Jason Voorhees after having killed him in the previous film.
All in all the film had the marks of being an interesting sequel that would take the franchise in a new direction but producers of the subsequent films had a change of heart and resurrected Jason in the next installment.
Getting back to the “Version 2” aspects of the film, I hate to say this but I saw no significant differences between this version and the original release version. Some takes and scenes may be alternates but they’re so miniscule that you’ll never even notice and even if there were music cues that are different much of the score is similar so there couldn’t have been that much of a change (unlike say the original theatrical version of HALLOWEEN: H20 versions the PRODUCER’S CUT which restores the original music cues of composer John Ottman). Unless you truly are a devout fan of this film the “Version 2” has nothing new to offer even though the film as a whole was an interesting rewatch.
Upon viewing the film again (for the first time in many years mind you) I realized that the film had a good template as a starting off point; it was just the “green” cast that made the film seem worse then it was. There are many parallels to the original film mainly in that like the original the killer is never seen but only hinted at whenever s/he kills someone. This was meant to hide the identity of the killer. The first film had the huge reveal of it being Pamela Voorhees who is the killer whereas this film has the killer being the paramedic. Both killers are motivated by the death of their child at the hand s of a caregiver; in the first film the caregiver was the camp councilors whereas in this film is was the so-called half-way house for disturbed teenagers. Both films also feature the death of random teenagers/characters (although in this film the killer seems to mover all over the place to various locations).
Although both films are filled with relatively fresh actors (so that you don’t know who will be killed next), the first film had an excuse as it was done on an extremely low budget whereas this film should have had a higher caliber cast given the much bigger budget. What this film does have is a huge body count even though the deaths are somewhat less imaginative then in some of the previous sequels. Another asset to this film is the continued reliance of the character of Tommy Jarvis (from the previous film) who is still haunted by the image and presence of the Jason Voorhees after having killed him in the previous film.
All in all the film had the marks of being an interesting sequel that would take the franchise in a new direction but producers of the subsequent films had a change of heart and resurrected Jason in the next installment.
Getting back to the “Version 2” aspects of the film, I hate to say this but I saw no significant differences between this version and the original release version. Some takes and scenes may be alternates but they’re so miniscule that you’ll never even notice and even if there were music cues that are different much of the score is similar so there couldn’t have been that much of a change (unlike say the original theatrical version of HALLOWEEN: H20 versions the PRODUCER’S CUT which restores the original music cues of composer John Ottman). Unless you truly are a devout fan of this film the “Version 2” has nothing new to offer even though the film as a whole was an interesting rewatch.
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