Friday The 13th - Part 4 - The Final Chapter Details

Barnstorming return to form!

Recently been watching the Friday the 13th films in order, but had never seen parts 4 or 5 before. I have to say how pleasantly surprised I was to find that this now ranks up there as one of the best, possibly even favorite (fingers crossed 6 holds up as well as I remember). The most impressive thing is how it's so focused on what makes Jason great. It rotates scenes of comedy, teenage sexuality and gore every few minutes so that it all forms into a gloriious whole with everything going on at once. Tom Savini returns as the special effects guy, and it's really top notch inventive stuff. Also a joy to have 2 hollywood icons in the cast with Corey Feldman and Crispin Glover. Looking forward to part 5!

Despite some slicker direction (no doubt helped by not having to perform 3D tricks for the camera) this is a dissapointingly formulaic retread of the previous film (which was itself a clone of Part 2 - the last film with any originality). As with Part 3 the script is entirely lacking in new ideas, or anything approaching a plot. The story itself lacks focus, the narrative being mixed-up between following a family living on Crystal Lake; a man searching for Jason to avenge the seath of his sister; and yet another bunch of sex-obsessed teenagers who trun up to be bumped off one by one. The only consolations are a few decent death scenes, with fittingly enough Jasons own death (yes - he finally bites the bullet in this one) being the most spectacular in the series thus far. Unfortunately this ending is then undercut by an additional coda with the young boy who dispatches him - which instead of being unnerving is hilariously cheesy. Just about watchable if youve enjoyed the previous installments, but youll have to turn your brain off to find this anything other than predictable.