The Texas Chainsaw Massacre on DVD (2003)

David Gray from Clackmannanshire, Scotland , 24/02/2004

Lets face it. the original film sucked. The shock value which made it so controversial back in the 70s was laughable when the film was finally re-released. The plot of the film was decent enough, but for the most part the murders and acting weren't up to par.

Thank god then for this 'reimaginging' of the orignal. Since this is a 'reimaginging' rather than a remake, liberties have been taken throughout to expand and elaborate on things much more greatly, as well as give the film a wider appeal.

The gore on show in this film is simply flowing from every scene. Leatherface really goes to town with his chainsaw, and there is one POV shot going THROUGH a bullet hole in someones head that simply blew my mind.

The teen cast don't provide great performances; they're there to do what the gotta do - be worthless bait for Leatherface to have his way with. The exception to this is Jessica Biel, who actually does a good job as the 'screaming heroine who runs away alot'. I however, really liked Pepper, played by Erika Leerhsen. She really know how to look good.

The showstealer of this film however is R. Lee Ermey as the twisted Sheriff Hoyt. Best known for his role in Full Metal Jacket, Ermey does what he does best here with plenty of great one liners and shouting.

If you hated the orignal, give this a try as you may be pleasantly surprised. If you were a fan of the original, be prepared to be let down as the plot couldn't be further away from the original if it tried. Overall though this slasher horror film goes straight for the jugular and will keep you entertained throughout.

  35 out of 56 people found this review helpful

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Horseflesh from devon , 12/07/2004

“Monty Python and the Holy Grail”. King Arthur vs The Black Knight. “None shall pass!” Remember that? That’s the last time I remember slapstick levels of comedy limb-lopping before seeing the remake of “Texas Chainsaw Massacre”.

If you’ve not seen the original and don’t care it might well be terrifying. Its certainly very uncomfortable viewing. All the implied violence, gore, torture and abuse hinted at in the original movie without ever being seen is dragged out endlessly before your eyes in the new version. And it has none of the originals crazy humour that gives even a hint of sympathy to the rural family.

In fact you’ve no sympathy for anyone. The incredibly fit, thin, spotless (in the 70’s?) tourists face off against the genetically degenerate locals with an almost Nazi level of attention paid to the physical differences between the two . There are rampant levels of “I’ll just walk into the abandoned filthy meat factory on my own” stupidity and some silliness involving a dead body.

Perhaps the daftest thing is the way chainsaws and even a hatchet perform almost like light sabers, not only severing limbs with ease but also cauterising the wounds instantly.

On the plus side its well directed, well acted and looks fantastic. The only move I can see the remake going with is “Straw Dogs”, and I guess if you are in a mood for pitiless torture and abuse with a rural twist it might make for an interesting evening.

  28 out of 38 people found this review helpful

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JediSi , 07/09/2007

A pack of five teenagers on their way to a concert pick up a female hitch hiker who tells them, 'You're all gonna die!' before blowing her brains out with a concealed weapon. After stopping at a nearby gas station for help, the teenagers find themselves in an awkward position when a mutated backwoods hillbilly sends his chainsaw-wielding son after them.

What is great about this film is that it concentrates on pure terror. Not gore, gore, gore even though obviously it has gore it is not over the top or unnecessary. The whole film is pretty much the thrill of the chase and seeing what Leatherface is capable of. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre is a fast, often terrifying and ultimately extremely satisfying take on the original that is sure to please at least to some extent even the die hard fans.

  18 out of 24 people found this review helpful

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Stuart McDonald from Birmingham , 13/06/2005

A remake thats better than the original. I remember seeing the original at about age 13, it scared the living daylights out of me. But as other people have said 'in todays standards its got no shock value at all'

the new one has, it seems to me to be a follow on from the original rather than a remake. Its shock in every corner. Well worth a watch if you like these sort of films. ;-)

  12 out of 15 people found this review helpful

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