And then it all went to hell. After two very strong movies, the series would take a massive turn in direction.
Let's see what we got here. 3D fad? Check. Keep in mind this was made in 1982, we're just now getting back into 3D. There are so many moments in the movie laughably out of place because they're only there for 3D. Juggling, yo-yo's, snakes. Cheesy porno esque music? Check. Gone is the understated and eerie tone setting score of the first two and in it's place is something more apropos of some sort of haunted disco.
For whatever reason, the makers decided to move out of the location the first two movies were made in NJ, and instead this movie is shot nowhere near a lake. In fact while the lake is alluded to, it's never shown, and in the end when the lead character is supposed to be in a lake, it looks more like a kids pool filled with mud and water. Just awful.
Part 3 also gives us a pivotal character by the name of Shelley. Shelley is.......fucking retarded. He's a doofus who's written and portrayed as an 8 year old in a mans body. Always pouting, always complaining girls don't like him, always playing practical jokes and then getting yelled at like a little kid, and going into a sulk over it. I fucking hate Shelley. He does bring the iconic hockey mask though, so whatever.
Ok, so the movie starts within a day or two after the previous film. A rather bland, faceless group of kids are going to the farmhouse owned by the lead characters parents. The lead, a girl named Chris, had an awful experience here a few years ago so she's going back with a group of friends for the first time in two years. The chicks are pretty hot but rather bland. The characters all seem to be cherry picked for how they can be used rather than how the organically fit together. Waiting for Chris at the farmhouse is a yuppie ex boyfriend of hers. Also tagging along with the group are a pair of Cheech & Chongs who are TOTALLY out of place.
Shelley and one of the chicks go into town to get some supplies and run into what I can't even fathom. A 3 man biker gang consisting of a black dude, a black chick and a white dude. Multiculturalism never looked more out of place.
So yeah. There's not a whole lot of chasing, it's mostly just kills. Jason is still sort of human but it's clear he's stronger than everyone else, unless he gets hit awkwardly with a club or a tree branch, then he topples like a deck of cards. Don't worry though, he's just resting. Some of the kills are played too cute. A spear gun to the eye and head squeeze that are only there for 3D.
The film ends with a rather clumsy looking and retarded call back to the first two films.
Listen, this is pure camp. There are some legit fright moments that made me jump and maybe in a different atmosphere I'd have enjoyed this more for what it was, but after watching the impressive first two films this just comes across as a rushed, gimmicky jaunt designed for the sole purpose of cashing in. There's also no nudity and limited sexual situations, probably to get the widest audience possible.
Forgive me if I take this Friday off.
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