I am a massive fan of all things horror, and when I go into a horror movie I keep an open mind and judge it for what it is. Like most genre films, it's content within the story and film that matters most, and in terms of horror movies (particularly slasher movies) they need to provide a certain tension and suspense, and characters that are more than wallpaper. I would also include an imaginative villain, which the 'Chainsaw' series certainly has.
I knew of the terrible reviews that was given to the film going into it, so I wasn't expecting much, as is usually the case with most other horror films. This isn't the only time that the Texas Chainsaw films have been rebooted, the 2003 remake and the prequel were actually decent in my opinion, and rather entertaining.
The film follows on from the original, and begins showing the house from the original, without spoiling anything the film then jumps forward to the present after a dramatic shoot out scene. The main protagonist is Heather Miller (Alexandra Daddario). On receiving a letter that she has inherited an estate from her Grandmother she immediately travels with her friends to Texas. As with the originals, they pick up a hitchhiker on the way, it's when they arrive at the house, where the chainsaw wielding villain hides that the film begins.
The film itself has been stripped down to the bones, and it's low budget is noticeable, not that you necessarily need a lot of money to make a good horror film. You would think that this could benefit the film, as Mark Kermode mentioned in his BBC review, the original 'Chainsaw' relied very little on buckets of gore, it was it's psychological effect on the audience that worked well and shocked.
The moments of suspense are few and very far between, and end too swiftly to make any impact. Despite this the build up is not too bad, and kept me engaged throughout, but it's when the eventual appearance of Leatherface and the killings begin that the film just falls flat in every way.
It's ironic in an age where horror films seem to be nothing more than a blood fest that Texas Chainsaw 3D comes across as timid, and the death scenes boring and unimaginative. It's made even worse with the fact that none of the characters make you think or feel for them, so once their dead, they are just dead, move on to the next victim.
Hints of Leatherface's persona and psychique are touched upon when his basement lair is explored, and as the film progresses into the last third there is an aspect to his story that is linked to the beginning of the film. He certainly isn't the brutal beast that appeared in the 2003 remake and prequel, who's menacing appearance on screen was one of the reasons why they worked reasonably well.
But it's the last fifteen minutes of the film that really kills it, as it descends into an illogical mess and contrived silliness. One particular one liner was very cringey (you will know which one I'm talking about if you chose to see the film). The 3D is non existent, by my own recollections there were only two moments where the effect was used, and one of those was the title opening. I did not have the option to go to a standard screening, but if you can please do, the extra money for the glasses just isn't worth the cost.
The film is not entirely terrible and unwatchable, you'll just be watching the whole thing thinking you would have done things differently, there are the customary pretty ladies which are nice to look at of course, and at 92 minutes long there are certainly worst ways to spend your time.
Verdict-1.5/5
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