Remake’s predictable killings still bring high scare factor to viewers

Photos courtesy of John P. Johnson

Credit: DKS Editors

Editor’s Note: This review contains spoilers. You’ve been warned.

Welcome back to Crystal Lake in a chilling re-imagining of “Friday the 13th.” The movie begins with a brief prologue that explains the legend of Jason Voorhees drowning at summer camp and the killing spree his mother takes up, only to be beheaded by the last surviving counselor.

Then the words “20 years later” appear on-screen, and we are introduced to five college-aged campers who head to the old Camp Crystal Lake grounds in search of good times and a supply of marijuana.

Faster than you can say “let me get my pants back on,” the crew is dispatched by the hulking Jason in very creative ways, including an eerie scene that involves a hot girl and an even hotter fire.

Real Quick: FRIDAY THE 13TH Starring Jared Padalecki, Derek Mears, Danielle Panabaker Directed by Marcus Nispel Distributed by Warner Bros. Rated R Runtime 97 mins. Stater rating (out of five): ☆☆☆

Flash forward six weeks, and we’re introduced to Clay Miller (Jared Padalecki). Clay’s sister, Whitney (Amanda Righetti), was among the group that disappeared while camping near Crystal Lake. Despite warnings from the locals, Clay pursues what few leads he has in the search for his missing sister. He earns the sympathy of Jenna (Danielle Panabaker), a young woman he meets among another college-aged group heading up to the lake. But obviously, they are about to find anything but a good time after entering the domain of one of the most terrifying specters in American film history.

As the movie unfolds, the audience is treated to the excessive nudity and graphic violence that has become a staple of the series. One of the more memorable scenes of the film, in terms of both nudity and graphic violence, is the boat scene featured in the trailer. The killings are guaranteed to warrant the audience’s appreciation. While somewhat predictable, the film still manages to achieve a relatively high scare factor.

Despite some bad acting scattered here and there, the cast is attractive and semi-likeable. Padalecki gets the chance to show some emotional range, and Aaron Yoo is sure to bring in some genuine laughs from the audience as the pot-smoking Chewie.

While Derek Mears remains silent throughout the film, he does a great job at conveying the morbid inner workings of Jason and manages to fill the footsteps of the great Kane Hodder pretty well.

Despite some really cheesy and unnecessary vulgar dialogue, which seemed intent on proving the “coolness” of the characters, this film holds up. The re-vamped Jason got some great kills, and we have to admit, we were definitely a little scared. But overall, the script and the acting from the rest of the cast were the real killers in this one.

Contact all editor Denise Wright at [email protected].

Contact all reporter Robert Checkal at [email protected].