Grade (D-)
This was a weak entry in the once frightening horror series, with a character who at one time brought fear and intimidation to the silver-screen, but in this one was turned to more to bumbling buffoon.
It goes without saying that most people watch horror movies with a grain of salt. Overall entertainment is always a goal, but quality writing, intricate plots, or solid acting are usually not things to be expected in the genre. Some however do bring some of these film qualities and rise above the rest of the clutter but unfortunately this film did not.
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre has seen several faces over the years since the classic original in 1974. Some installment’s have fared better than others, and after a slight quality drought in the 80’s and 90’s, the franchise somewhat revitalized itself with some surprisingly entertaining film’s in ’03 and ’06. The newest in the series came out this winter simply titled, “Texas Chainsaw 3D”, the perfect time to boast the chain-saw wielding killer in multiple dimensions while the cinema trend is hot.
The story-line begins back in the early 70’s when town people suspected the Sawyer family of horrendous acts. A mob of townsfolk gather outside the home and set fire to it, killing most of the remaining Sawyers. Only, a baby is pulled from the carnage by a young couple who raises her as their own, keeping from her the horrible secrets of that night.
Fast forward to present day when a young woman is given an inheritance from a family member she didn’t know she even had. Her and a group of friends travel to rural Texas to see she has been given the Sawyer estate. Her presence is received with mixed reactions from the towns population and as the woman and her friends get comfortable in the house, they realize things are not what they seem, and something very dangerous is roaming all around them.
First I can start by saying the first-act of the film is mildly entertaining as the second and third continue into a train-wreck. The cast is made up of relatively random television actors and Trey Songz, a move I’m sure was to draw a younger majority of crowds given his fan base. The characters are thin at best but most would say they were all cliche characters to a film that begins in decent, but generic fashion, and soon turns to absurd.
I could understand if this plot was constructed of carbon copy elements of many others, it happens and even then the films can be a fun viewing. But this plot started out like many others and turned towards a direction that almost challenges your nerves, making you ask yourself, ‘did they really just go there?’ Not it a good way I might add.
If the scripts direction could have held its focus then this could have been a slightly above-average entry into the series. Unfortunately, it did not, and soon the character decisions and dialogue become as laughable as the filmmakers interpretation of the chain-saw killer. He was dumbed down to the point where he was not at all scary, and much more annoying in action as opposed to intimidating and ominous.
The 3D in the film not only failed to bring life to the screen, but at times was a hassle given the eye-popping moments were few in far between in a muddled mess of a film. The couple moments of what could be called recycled 3D techniques, (the saw blade or debris coming from the screen) do not stand shoulder-to-shoulder with other current films.
The Texas Chainsaw franchise has always delivered a relatively decent product to the screen even if some were not as good as hoped. The series took a major hit with this one and “Texas Chainsaw 3D” was a little to much like “Shark Night 3D” and not like the other good films in the franchise. Pass on this film if you value your time in any way.
Time: 92 min
MPAA Rating: R (For strong grisly violence and language throughout)