When I first read in Fangoria magazine that there was going to be a remake of my favorite horror film, "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre", I was more than a little upset. I was downright p***ed. Then I saw the trailer, and it actually looked scary... damn scary. But I didn't keep my expectations too high because this was a Hollywood remake of an independent horror classic.
Man, was I surprised!!! This movie kicked ass! But in totally different - and yet some of the same - ways that the original did. For example; in the original there was practically no gore (with the exception of Leatherface accidentally slicing some meat off his own leg), but the scares came more from the suspense and psychological horror and torture the victims were subjected to. Whereas the remake supplies plenty of gore (not an exploitative amount though) that is used to disturb and scare us. Also there was always an overwhelming sense of dread for what was to become of the victims in the original masterpiece. And the remake keeps that same sense throughout the whole film.
The acting in the first "Chainsaw" was pretty good for an independent horror film in the 70's, but this one's got it beat. Jessica Biel is superb as a scream queen. The supporting cast is very effective also.
All in all, this is a perfect horror film. And while it may not replace the original as my favorite... it definitely places in my top ten of horror. I only hope the "Dawn of the Dead" remake fairs as well (although, with running and jumping zombies instead of slow and lumbering, I have my doubts).
1) The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974)
2) The Evil Dead
3) Dawn of the Dead (1978)
4) Re-Animator
5) Return of the Living Dead
6) Day of the Dead
7) The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2003)
8) Zombie
9) Cannibal Holocaust
10) From Dusk till Dawn
Man, was I surprised!!! This movie kicked ass! But in totally different - and yet some of the same - ways that the original did. For example; in the original there was practically no gore (with the exception of Leatherface accidentally slicing some meat off his own leg), but the scares came more from the suspense and psychological horror and torture the victims were subjected to. Whereas the remake supplies plenty of gore (not an exploitative amount though) that is used to disturb and scare us. Also there was always an overwhelming sense of dread for what was to become of the victims in the original masterpiece. And the remake keeps that same sense throughout the whole film.
The acting in the first "Chainsaw" was pretty good for an independent horror film in the 70's, but this one's got it beat. Jessica Biel is superb as a scream queen. The supporting cast is very effective also.
All in all, this is a perfect horror film. And while it may not replace the original as my favorite... it definitely places in my top ten of horror. I only hope the "Dawn of the Dead" remake fairs as well (although, with running and jumping zombies instead of slow and lumbering, I have my doubts).
1) The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974)
2) The Evil Dead
3) Dawn of the Dead (1978)
4) Re-Animator
5) Return of the Living Dead
6) Day of the Dead
7) The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2003)
8) Zombie
9) Cannibal Holocaust
10) From Dusk till Dawn
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