Originally a crossover with the popular Nightmare on Elm Street series, (which was surpassing the series in box office number), there were a number of other ideas for the 7th film in the series, before Manusco, associate producer Barbara Sachs, and screenwriter Daryl Haney agreed to do a "Jason vs. Carrie" scenario. Basically, the "final girl" in this film is psychic. Sachs had hoped to make this addition more respectable, and even sought out directors like Fredrico Fellini. Taking over the director's chair this time, however, is John Carl Buechler, known for The Dungeonmaster and Troll, and taking up the mask was Kane Hodder, who impressed Buechler in the film Prison, which Buechler worked as special effects director. Hodder would become associated with the character in subsequent appearances. As always, cuts were made to avoid a dreaded X rating, toning down the film significantly, and cutting it down. While it wasn't nominated for an Oscar, it made a decent showing at the box office.
As Jason (Kane Hodder) sits at the bottom of Crystal Lake after his latest misadventures, Tina (Jennifer Banko) flees after her abusive father (John Otrin) goes on his own rampages. After Tina heads to the center of the lake, her father tries to plead with her. She finally has enough, and uses telekinetic powers to kill him. Ten years later (time works weird in these films), Tina (Lar Park Lincoln) and her mother Amanda (Susan Blu) still live in the house, along with Dr. Crews (Terry Kiser), a psychologist researching Tina's power, and is generally aggressive towards her and implied to be exploiting her abilities for fame. After a particularly stressful session, she goes out to the lake, and makes a big psychological wave, which breaks the rock Jason is attached to, freeing him. Tina sees him and is scared off. Meanwhile, we have our group of teens, this time waiting for Michael (William Butler) for a surprise party held by his cousin Nick (Kevin Blair). Tina befriends these teens, and has a certain attachment to Nick. Of course, Jason cannot allow the presence of teens around Crystal Lake to stand, and kills Michael, right as Tina has a vision of him killing Michael. So, Jason goes about his business, but finds a new formidable opponent.
Once again going off the trend of the last film, this takes the formula of the films, and adds new elements to it to give the viewer something new. In this case, we have the psychic powers of Tina. Normally, the addition of another supernatural element in another supernatural series would feel haphazard, but, like The Shining , it integrates these elements well enough. The action film elements carried over from the last film also does well. Kane Hodder does well in the mask, adding a bit of confusion and thinking to his performance. Dr. Crews is a good secondary villian, whose cruelty and cowardice are well hidden until he is backed into a corner.
Once again, the cuts are abundantly clear, and it is a bit disappointing that there isn't more gore. I don't blame the filmmakers for this, and I know there are uncut versions around. The ending was a little confusing, considering how it comes about. There were some creative kills in these, but in comparison to the last one, it's a bit more boring and conventional.
You know, with this and the last one, I'm starting to see the appeal of these films. Kane Hodder, while not my favorite Jason, is a dynamic presence and I do see why he became associated with the role. Once again, fun horror film, nice for a weekend watch, and appealing enough to non-horror fans.
As Jason (Kane Hodder) sits at the bottom of Crystal Lake after his latest misadventures, Tina (Jennifer Banko) flees after her abusive father (John Otrin) goes on his own rampages. After Tina heads to the center of the lake, her father tries to plead with her. She finally has enough, and uses telekinetic powers to kill him. Ten years later (time works weird in these films), Tina (Lar Park Lincoln) and her mother Amanda (Susan Blu) still live in the house, along with Dr. Crews (Terry Kiser), a psychologist researching Tina's power, and is generally aggressive towards her and implied to be exploiting her abilities for fame. After a particularly stressful session, she goes out to the lake, and makes a big psychological wave, which breaks the rock Jason is attached to, freeing him. Tina sees him and is scared off. Meanwhile, we have our group of teens, this time waiting for Michael (William Butler) for a surprise party held by his cousin Nick (Kevin Blair). Tina befriends these teens, and has a certain attachment to Nick. Of course, Jason cannot allow the presence of teens around Crystal Lake to stand, and kills Michael, right as Tina has a vision of him killing Michael. So, Jason goes about his business, but finds a new formidable opponent.
Once again going off the trend of the last film, this takes the formula of the films, and adds new elements to it to give the viewer something new. In this case, we have the psychic powers of Tina. Normally, the addition of another supernatural element in another supernatural series would feel haphazard, but, like The Shining , it integrates these elements well enough. The action film elements carried over from the last film also does well. Kane Hodder does well in the mask, adding a bit of confusion and thinking to his performance. Dr. Crews is a good secondary villian, whose cruelty and cowardice are well hidden until he is backed into a corner.
Once again, the cuts are abundantly clear, and it is a bit disappointing that there isn't more gore. I don't blame the filmmakers for this, and I know there are uncut versions around. The ending was a little confusing, considering how it comes about. There were some creative kills in these, but in comparison to the last one, it's a bit more boring and conventional.
You know, with this and the last one, I'm starting to see the appeal of these films. Kane Hodder, while not my favorite Jason, is a dynamic presence and I do see why he became associated with the role. Once again, fun horror film, nice for a weekend watch, and appealing enough to non-horror fans.
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