Internet Janitor
This review may contain spoilers.
In 1985, they tried to take the Friday the 13th series in a different direction. In this new beginning, it would turn out that Jason really did at the end of the fourth film at the hands of young Tommy. We even get a brief cameo from Corey Feldman (around the same time he was filming The Goonies) at the beginning. This is a ridiculous romp with memorable, albeit cartoon characters that teased a new beginning, which never happened. The fact that it was directed by someone who got their start in hardcore pornography did not go unnoticed by the prudes of the time.
We begin many years after the horrific events of the fourth film with a new adult Tommy (played by John Shepherd from The Kidnapping of Baby John Doe) being taken to an alternative facility for the troubled and traumatized. He is greeted by a very colourful cast of mifits and welcomed by Pam (played by Melanie Kinnaman from Thunder Alley) into the home. However, the peace that was promised to Tommy is broken after a tragedy happens and “Jason” returns to stalk the very horny young people.
When it comes to the Friday the 13th films, people either love this one or hate it. The killer, who is not Jason but instead a paramedic named Roy exacting vengeance for the death of his son early in the film. Back in the day, with no easily accessible Internet or smartphones, the twist ending of it not being Jason was likely a surprise. Which is interesting, as the movie tells you over and over and over again, that it’s not Jason. To a ridiculous degree, but I believe it still worked because, “Why would there be a Friday the 13th movie without Jason?”
One thing I don’t understand and have not found a good answer to is why the post features a traditional goalie mask, which is never at any point used in this or any other Friday the 13th Movie? It’s the mask you see with this review.
The original plan was to have Tommy become the new Jason, which is hinted at in the final scene. Also, contrary to popular belief, this movie was not a box office failure at all. It actually did rather well. However, if the stories are true, the intense negative reaction to it not being Jason had them bring the big guy back to life in Part 6, beginning his zombie era.
As I said, it’s trashy and the hillbilly, so much a living cliche they are loud, angry, and the mother and son covered in dirt, 24/7. They own the farm near the facility and are at war with them over kids sneaking onto their land. The son is a cartoon character, and neither of them knows what soap is. Now I know they are there, and as much as I complain, they make good fodder for “Jason”. We even have the legend himself, lover of enchiladas Demon (played by Miguel A. Núñez Jr. from The Return of the Living Dead), and I know people who despise this movie that still talk about this character.
To me, this is one of my favourites of the series. It’s over the top, but still dark and while it’s not Jason its still brutal and feels like the last of the original style before Part 6 almost went total comedy. I like it a hell of a lot better than Jason Goes to Hell and Freddy vs Jason, that’s for sure. The mask, which should have given it away immediately, as well as this “Jason” having both of his eyes, looks awesome.
If you’ve never seen it due to what you’ve heard, see it. Good kills, a lot more flesh than usual, bonkers characters and as I said, the last film of the series to feel like the first films.