As a horror fan, I found myself believing that Freddy vs. Jason would be a huge disappointment. The long-awaited film, which had been in planning for ten years, couldn't possibly live up to the name of its predecessors. Most horror films made past 1995 have proven to be excruciating to watch, filled with annoying characters and thin plots. After the pure torture of Jason X, I was almost frightened to go see this newest installment. This wasn't necessary, as I soon found out.
The picture opens with a rare glimpse at Robert Englund without make-up, giving a history of Freddy Krueger's crimes, and eventually his afterlife. He explains that he's been forgotten by the people of Springwood, thus rendering him out of the picture. In Hell, he found someone to do the killing for him, to bring back the fear that enabled his return: Jason. Cut to opening credits, and then a classic Voorhees murder at Crystal Lake. A minute and a half into the film, and already a pair of breasts on the screen.
From there, Jason kills enough to bring Freddy back to full power... but he's tasted murder again, and he likes it. When Jason starts stealing his kills, Freddy's pissed and everyone knows it. Lots of slaughter ensues on both ends.
One of my favourite scenes in the movie takes place in a corn field. The high school kids of Springwood hold a rave in a giant field, out of which Jason eventually emerges. Two stoned teens set him ablaze with a torch, only angering him. He walks through the rows, burning a nice trail, and into the main party circle in which he slices every teenager who didn't get away quick enough. As one smashed party-goer put it, "That goalie's pissed about something..."
The final battle, roughly twenty-five minutes long, is worth the price of the movie ticket alone. It's filled with action, laughs, gore, and girls and almost makes you excuse the ten-year wait.
In the end, Freddy vs Jason measures up. It's got everything you could want in a horror and a little bit more. Go give it a look-see; any horror fan will like it.
|   |
