Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter

Assuming that Part II began on a Friday the 13th, and I don't recall that it did, then this movie opens on Sunday the 15th, the rest of the film takes place on Monday the 16th, with Tuesday the 17th. It's also, by far, not the final chapter, so title fails to deliver on any promise.Beginning right after the massacre at Higgin's Haven (why they waited many hours until dark to remove the bodies is beyond me) the "dead" body of Jason is taken to the local morgue where he promptly regains consciousness and begins his massacre anew.Just to be clear, Part II is not set at Camp Crystal Lake, but at Camp Packanack which is nearby. After Ginny invades Jason's wilderness shack he moves on to the edges of the town of Crystal Lake and heads off to Higgin's Haven, a different location. Once he's up and around this time he wanders to a new lake house at a different lake. It's supposed to be set in rural New Jersey, where there are plenty of lakes to skinny dip. Though it is shot entirely in Los Angeles, in Topanga Canyon, to be precise.This particular lake house is the new home of the Jarvis family, who enjoy the peace and safety of the country. A group of horny teens move into the house opposite and quickly make friends with the Jarvis kids. A couple of beautiful twins soon show up too, and Jason is spoiled for choice when it comes to practicing his butchery skills.The older brother of Sandra from Part II is also in the woods, hunting for Jason like he's been planning it for years instead of having just a couple of days to figure out everything that the cops and Feds were unable to do.Directed by acclaimed master of schlock Joseph Zito, there is a noticeable change in tone from Part III. Gone is the sense of fun and adventure, giving the movie a rather lurid and unpleasant feel. For some reason he chooses to cut around Jason instead of keeping the star of the show front and centre. There is a 30-minute segment near the beginning where Jason just disappears, then when the massacre starts he's kept in the shadows and off-screen. This is particularly frustrating during most kills, but especially during the death of Sarah, who is axed in the chest through a closed door. I'm not sure of the physics of this one but it's so badly shot too that it's just confusing instead shocking.For some reason Richard Brooker was not asked back to play the part, instead it was given to 58-year-old Ted White, who was a lifetime veteran of action movies and westerns as a stunt performer, doubling for Clark Gable in the early days of his career. That's right, kiddies, Ted White bridges the gap between Rhett Butler and Jason Voorhees, and we're grateful for it. White has a distinctly different gate from Brooker, giving Jason a tough, cowboy swagger. He had nothing but disdain for the movie and series, though he seems to have warmed to it in recent years, much like the mainstream in general.The Friday the 13th series has never won over critics, and The Final Chapter does nothing to help that with its sleazy, exploitative edge that it doesn't have the moxie to fully embrace. I can understand it's status as an iconic horror, especially the famous poster art, but it's just not very good.It's not all in poor taste, though. Kid Corey Feldman and young Crispin Glover are genuinely good, and Harry Manfredini's score has some epic moments. I'm glad this wasn't the true end of Jason as there was plenty of fun left to be had in his zombie days.

Love the movie 🎬 simon

I'm surprised that this is the only Friday The 13th film i have reviewed. I guess I've just seen them all so many times and left it for others to review. I recently upgraded to this 2009 Deluxe Edition and it's a cracker. Of course the transfer is great but the extras on here really get the juices flowing. You have 2 commentaries. 1st with the director and 2nd a fan commentary with horror directors Adam Green and Joe Lynch. Also are featurettes and interviews,a lost alternative ending! and slashed scenes. There are some great extended and cut scenes that never saw the light of day until now that are a joy to watch for fans.The Final Chapter is often considered the best in the series by many fans and I won't argue with that. This is a high quality slasher with dark atmosphere and suspense. It's the last time that Jason looked truly chilling and with Tom Savini back for the FX the deaths are cool. The ending in the rainstorm is very atmospheric and the whole chase and face off is exciting and superior. This part contains 2 of my fave Friday characters Jimbo and Ted, don't ask me why but I just find their banter amusing! (and who can forget Jimbo's dance moves). After this none of the sequels to come could be taken seriously as proper horror, but that's not to say that they are bad. Some that followed were very entertaining especially part 6 when Jason returns in zombie form.

Paramount has re released all their Friday The 13th films but unlike parts 2 and 3 which have been remastered and have some new special features, parts 4,5,6,7 and 8 are exactly the same releases. Even the dvds themselves are the same with the older covers. All Paramount have done is put a new sleave on each release. This is extreamly dissapointing and shows just how little Paramount care about this excellent series of films. I mean if you are going to remaster parts 2 and 3 and put some new extras on the dvds then why can't you do the same with the rest of the series? Some commentary tracks, making of or deleated scenes which are on the American box set would have been most welcome.The actual film is one of the best in the series (5 stars for the film itself) but wasn't actually the final chapter. Tom Savini (who also did the special effects in part 1) once again did some amazing affects - even though alot of them were cut to get a R rating. The print is rather washed out in places and could do with being cleaned up. At least the price is reasonable - but I would rather pay more and get a special edition packed with extras. With the new Friday The 13th film out soon this would have been an ideal time to remaster the entire Paramount series of Friday The 13th but no they just do parts 2 and 3. A wasted opportunity.

Very good condition and very reasonable price

It’s a good slasher movie & definitely worth watching.

First off, do not be fooled by the new box art for this dvd release. This is NOT a Special Edition release as with Paramount's Friday The 13th Parts II and III (2009). Those releases had remastered picture,sound and new special features which are duplicated from the U.S Deluxe Edition versions. This dvd is just the 2002 disc in a new case and therefore a disappointment in the picture,special feature and sound department.None of the films from 4-8 on region 2 are the special edition versions. Films 4-8 are available as deluxe editions on region 1 dvd.That said, this disc still may be the film for you. The picture is a vast improvement on the old VHS tape and comes with a trailer. If I had not seen the special Edition versions of the first films, then I would have been happy with this dvd. I'm buying the rest of the series as Deluxe Editions from the U.S.