T. Rigney (![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small} filmfiend) wrote,@ 2006-10-22 15:06:00 |
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Jason X
Livin' astro.
---
Leprechaun in Space. Hellraiser 4: Bloodline. Critters 4. Not exactly titles to use as a design plan for re-inventing your floundering horror franchise. Of course, that didn't stop New Line Cinema from taking one of the most recognizable horror icons in film history and launching him into the stratosphere, complete with a flashy, stylized Matrix makeover. In fact, it seemed to be the next logical step, considering anything else would have been an exercise in cinematic regurgitation. Crafted a few years before Ronny Yu's wonky Freddy vs. Jason, Jason X honestly tried to do something different with a drab, lifeless genre series, one that I'll readily admit to despising with every inch of my being. The Friday the 13th films, in my humble opinion, are homogenized, candy-coated sleeping pills; empty calories for mindless drool-babies. This snarky definition doesn't apply to EVERY Friday fan, mind you, but it does encompass quite a few of the drones you'll see wandering like zombies at your favorite horror convention. That said, don't you DARE get your Jason Voorhees Underoos in a bunch, okay? Take a look at some of the movies I enjoy before you launch a smear campaign against me. I'm no better than you. Seriously. After all, anyone who enjoys both Skinned Deep and Van Helsing -- yes, THAT Van Helsing -- can't be worth much more than those who worship at the altar of Kane Hodder.
Jason X opens with our favorite hulking brute chained inside a futuristic holding cell that seems far removed from the log cabins of Crystal Lake. Apparently, a scheming doctor -- played by none other than David Cronenberg(!) -- wants to unravel the mystery of Jason's regenerative powers, though doing so will require the hideous mutant freak to be transported to another location for testing. As usual, things go horribly wrong, Cronenberg bites the dust, and Jason is stuffed into a cryogenic freezing unit while the would-be heroine lies bleeding -- and freezing -- on the floor. Hundreds of years later, Jason and the lovely little lady are discovered by a team of good-looking teenagers who decide to bring these ancient popsicles back to life aboard their high-tech space craft. However, by the time the heroine is perky and pretty and ready to warn them about the deadly threat known as Jason, it's already too late. He's alive, he's armed, and he's ready to carve some meat. Now the group of soldiers, students, and science-types must band together to face a common threat, one that has a reputation for dying hard.
As much as I wanted to hate it, Jason X charmed me like a two-dollar hooker, promising 90 minutes of pure debauchery for very little bread. Though purists will hang me out to dry for this one, I totally believe that Jason X is the best entry in the series. Honestly! I wouldn't mess with you like that. Instead of dressing the character up in lame mysticism and making pathetic attempts to broaden the mythos, the film is content with just setting up one grisly murder after another. It's a back-to-basics Friday flick that just so happens to take place in space, nothing more. The filmmakers don't rely too much on gimmicky technology or sci-fi conventions to drive the story; the ship, its crew, and their leggy cyborg are window dressing for a formula that was perfected WAY back in the 80's. I can appreciate that. I really can. Though I do think the standard, by-the-numbers slasher is an antiquated concept, I respect films that try to put their own spin on dusty ideas. Jason X is completely different than its predecessors, and at the same time, relies on the same setup that made the series so popular in the first place. Nifty!
For the first time in the history of the series, Jason X uses computer-generated effects to increase the amount of squishy carnage on-screen. Arms are severed and reattached before your very eyes. Bloody impalements galore. A beheading, too, if that's your thing. Thanks to the advancements in technology, the filmmakers were able to take the franchise one step further in terms of violence, realizing a handful of gory moments that simply would not have been possible otherwise. While some may say that the Friday series should keep its feet firmly planted in the world of physical effects, I strongly beg to differ. If Jason wants to continue being relevant, if he truly wants to compete with other like-minded horror films currently on the market, those who choose to tackle Jason's future exploits must be ready to embrace the use of QUALITY CGI enhancements. When utilized by those who know what they're doing, computer-generated violence can have a substantial impact on the audience, which is why I stress QUALITY. CGI is used by too many lazy directors to fill-in-the-blanks, so to speak. I'm of the belief that it should compliment the physical effects, as opposed to replacing them altogether. A History of Violence is a fine example of such...
Whoops. Heh.
Sorry about that. I have a tendency to rant at-length on occasion, especially with subjects like this. The point of that rambling passage was to compliment Jason X's willingness to take its grue to another level. Oh, and the Virtual 80's scene is brilliant. Classic, even. For me, it completely justified the two dollars I spent on a used copy of the DVD. Good stuff, folks. Mindless, but good nonetheless.
Jason X isn't really a good movie, but it's certainly a blast to watch. The acting is strong enough to keep the picture moving, even when things start to drag for a moment or two about halfway through. But it's JUST for a few seconds, dear readers, as Jason X is backed by a breathless pace that requires your full, undivided attention. Not because you're miss important plot points, mind you, but because you may miss someone getting sucked through a baseball-sized hole in the wall of the spacecraft. That kind of stuff. Even if you hate the franchise as much as I do, Jason X changes the rules enough to satisfy even the most jaded of genre fans. Hell, it even usurped Jason Goes To Hell as my favorite Friday the 13th effort. That's right. I said it. Jason Goes To Hell used to be my favorite, evil worm and all. Sometimes a sagging series needs a new twist, and Jason X definitely breathes a little life into this stale franchise. It was certainly a step in the right direction.
Too bad New Line blew it with Freddy vs. Jason.
Livin' astro.
---
Leprechaun in Space. Hellraiser 4: Bloodline. Critters 4. Not exactly titles to use as a design plan for re-inventing your floundering horror franchise. Of course, that didn't stop New Line Cinema from taking one of the most recognizable horror icons in film history and launching him into the stratosphere, complete with a flashy, stylized Matrix makeover. In fact, it seemed to be the next logical step, considering anything else would have been an exercise in cinematic regurgitation. Crafted a few years before Ronny Yu's wonky Freddy vs. Jason, Jason X honestly tried to do something different with a drab, lifeless genre series, one that I'll readily admit to despising with every inch of my being. The Friday the 13th films, in my humble opinion, are homogenized, candy-coated sleeping pills; empty calories for mindless drool-babies. This snarky definition doesn't apply to EVERY Friday fan, mind you, but it does encompass quite a few of the drones you'll see wandering like zombies at your favorite horror convention. That said, don't you DARE get your Jason Voorhees Underoos in a bunch, okay? Take a look at some of the movies I enjoy before you launch a smear campaign against me. I'm no better than you. Seriously. After all, anyone who enjoys both Skinned Deep and Van Helsing -- yes, THAT Van Helsing -- can't be worth much more than those who worship at the altar of Kane Hodder.
Jason X opens with our favorite hulking brute chained inside a futuristic holding cell that seems far removed from the log cabins of Crystal Lake. Apparently, a scheming doctor -- played by none other than David Cronenberg(!) -- wants to unravel the mystery of Jason's regenerative powers, though doing so will require the hideous mutant freak to be transported to another location for testing. As usual, things go horribly wrong, Cronenberg bites the dust, and Jason is stuffed into a cryogenic freezing unit while the would-be heroine lies bleeding -- and freezing -- on the floor. Hundreds of years later, Jason and the lovely little lady are discovered by a team of good-looking teenagers who decide to bring these ancient popsicles back to life aboard their high-tech space craft. However, by the time the heroine is perky and pretty and ready to warn them about the deadly threat known as Jason, it's already too late. He's alive, he's armed, and he's ready to carve some meat. Now the group of soldiers, students, and science-types must band together to face a common threat, one that has a reputation for dying hard.
As much as I wanted to hate it, Jason X charmed me like a two-dollar hooker, promising 90 minutes of pure debauchery for very little bread. Though purists will hang me out to dry for this one, I totally believe that Jason X is the best entry in the series. Honestly! I wouldn't mess with you like that. Instead of dressing the character up in lame mysticism and making pathetic attempts to broaden the mythos, the film is content with just setting up one grisly murder after another. It's a back-to-basics Friday flick that just so happens to take place in space, nothing more. The filmmakers don't rely too much on gimmicky technology or sci-fi conventions to drive the story; the ship, its crew, and their leggy cyborg are window dressing for a formula that was perfected WAY back in the 80's. I can appreciate that. I really can. Though I do think the standard, by-the-numbers slasher is an antiquated concept, I respect films that try to put their own spin on dusty ideas. Jason X is completely different than its predecessors, and at the same time, relies on the same setup that made the series so popular in the first place. Nifty!
For the first time in the history of the series, Jason X uses computer-generated effects to increase the amount of squishy carnage on-screen. Arms are severed and reattached before your very eyes. Bloody impalements galore. A beheading, too, if that's your thing. Thanks to the advancements in technology, the filmmakers were able to take the franchise one step further in terms of violence, realizing a handful of gory moments that simply would not have been possible otherwise. While some may say that the Friday series should keep its feet firmly planted in the world of physical effects, I strongly beg to differ. If Jason wants to continue being relevant, if he truly wants to compete with other like-minded horror films currently on the market, those who choose to tackle Jason's future exploits must be ready to embrace the use of QUALITY CGI enhancements. When utilized by those who know what they're doing, computer-generated violence can have a substantial impact on the audience, which is why I stress QUALITY. CGI is used by too many lazy directors to fill-in-the-blanks, so to speak. I'm of the belief that it should compliment the physical effects, as opposed to replacing them altogether. A History of Violence is a fine example of such...
Whoops. Heh.
Sorry about that. I have a tendency to rant at-length on occasion, especially with subjects like this. The point of that rambling passage was to compliment Jason X's willingness to take its grue to another level. Oh, and the Virtual 80's scene is brilliant. Classic, even. For me, it completely justified the two dollars I spent on a used copy of the DVD. Good stuff, folks. Mindless, but good nonetheless.
Jason X isn't really a good movie, but it's certainly a blast to watch. The acting is strong enough to keep the picture moving, even when things start to drag for a moment or two about halfway through. But it's JUST for a few seconds, dear readers, as Jason X is backed by a breathless pace that requires your full, undivided attention. Not because you're miss important plot points, mind you, but because you may miss someone getting sucked through a baseball-sized hole in the wall of the spacecraft. That kind of stuff. Even if you hate the franchise as much as I do, Jason X changes the rules enough to satisfy even the most jaded of genre fans. Hell, it even usurped Jason Goes To Hell as my favorite Friday the 13th effort. That's right. I said it. Jason Goes To Hell used to be my favorite, evil worm and all. Sometimes a sagging series needs a new twist, and Jason X definitely breathes a little life into this stale franchise. It was certainly a step in the right direction.
Too bad New Line blew it with Freddy vs. Jason.
