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Re: The Slasher Face-Off Part IX: The Final Chapter
I've been very busy and finally after a week here comes the end game. Round 8 saw a win for the virtually uncontested Freddy vs. Jason, with that win being credited to Freddy, not Jason, because of Jason's higher number of films. It was also Freddy & Pinhead's last involvement.
The contest now comes down to steak and potatoes, and the future of the franchises on the table. This is Halloween reboot vs. F13 reboot. Let the slaying begin...
Current Standings:
Michael - 2.5
Leatherface - 2
Freddy - 2
Jason - 1.5
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My vote goes easily to Halloween 2007. Not that I think Halloween 2007 is a vastly superior film to F132009, 'cause it's not, but I still think RZ:H is a clear winner.
Halloween 2007 is a bit of a mixed bag. In some ways Zombie rebooted the franchise with some great moves, in an almost Batman Begins-esque format, and in other ways certain things were done wrong. The first film smacks of being a clusterfuck. Too many people with too many opinions diluting what i'm sure was Zombie's vision for the film. Granted there are somethings that should be there... Michael's mask, the Halloween theme... stuff like that, and Zombie thankfully incorporated it. The Dr. Loomis character was also mixed emotions for me. On one hand, I can see that Zombie didn't want to just recreate Pleasence's Loomis out of respect for the character and Donald's memory and what he means to the Halloween franchise, but at the same time I can't help but to not be crazy about the new Loomis. Malcolm McDowell is a fine actor and performed the character well, but the whole opportunistic side of Loomis I don't like at all, and I wish it would be abandoned. Now on to the good stuff, the film's atmosphere (although not of the greatness of the Carpenter Trilogy), at least returns the film to 'feeling' like a Halloween film, and that it takes place at Halloween time, unlike H5, H6: T-cut & H:R (I think this is something H2O got right). Scout was also a good casting move for Laurie, but unfortunately her stuff was rushed imo, and we really didn't care about the character in the first film. The problem with that second-half is it feels so rushed, and so tacked on, and it compresses the first half. It really should've been fleshed out to be two films. Michael as a child and escaping Smith's Grove should've been new-H1, the return to Haddonfield should've been the new-H2, and the aftermath should've been the new-H3, imho. I personally don't think this was Rob's fault, but TPTB. What we're left with is an okay film, that'll be good groundwork for a new franchise. But I don't think it'll take much for the new-H2 to surpass this film imo. At least this time it feels like it it'll be raw Zombie, uninterupted.
F132009 is another okay film, like RZ:H. I respect that F132009 tried to just be another sequel, and paid respect to the earlier films, as well as bringing in strong leads with Jared Padlecki & Amanda Righetti. But the love ends there. Steve Jablonsky's music fucks the entire atmosphere up leaving it feeling like Friday The Chainsaw Massacre. The return to Crystal Lake is a good point imo, but it just feels too much like Texas 2003. The film also suffers from being two unneccessary films sandwiched together, like Halloween 2007. This reboot could've just been Whitney and her friends go camping and run afoul of potato sack-Jason. Then the new-F13P2 would've been Clay searching for his missing sister, although the second portion there would've been loaded with issues. One thing most of us can't get past is the fact Jason takes a prisoner, seemingly for no reason at all, other than to plot drive the film for Clay. It's also hard to believe that Whitney would've been there for weeks with her pretty makeup and pearly white teeth, and virtually no harm, unless Jason, because she reminded him of mom, was taking her to a bathroom, feeding her, and brushing her teeth this whole time (although he did shave a Sheriff's deputy once, so it's not that hard to believe). I'm also not a big nutswinger for Derek Mears. He just lifted Hodder's Jason imo. I didn't see any Ted White or Richard Brooker, or anything like was rumored or even supported by the F13 Kool Aid-drinking folks after the film's release. I saw a new-era guy doing Kane Hodder's take, and if we were going to do that... just call Hodder. I'm sure alot of fans would be happy. I understand that the people trying to make this film were going for 'traditional' but the characters are just too cliched for me. The rich jock, the girlfriend of his who doesn't really like him but he's cute, the slut that wants to get with him, the token black guy, the pothead... meh. I got that for 11 films, maybe we could do something different. Not to mention the plot-black hole when Jenna completely just forgets that her boyfriend is with another girl, and the story just ignores it. This film has pros and cons, and like Halloween 2007, it's neither great, nor horrible, it's just kind of there. But in Halloween's case, at least the film is 'okay'. I think this film is 'so-so'.
Re: The Slasher Face-Off Part IX: The Final Chapter
I voted for Halloween simply for the reason the F13 remake is one of the worst horror films I have ever watched. I will never watch it again either. It had no redeeming qualities whatsoever. I'm still hoping someone gets blacklisted for that plot hole I could fly the space shuttle through.
Another cool thing about Halloween is how we got two versions of it. That leaked workprint and of course the theatrical release. Other than that unnecessary rape scene, I preferred the work print.
Re: The Slasher Face-Off Part IX: The Final Chapter
I have the Director's Cut, and I think it was a blend of the Workprint & the Theatrical Cut. I think it's the best, other than the rape scene. I think alot of people feel that that's one thing the T-cut had right was the escape sequence, with Michael just destroying the guards in that one scene. Bit Jason Voorhees-esque, but it worked. The rape scene did not. It was not effective, it was not scary, it just didn't work.
I like that the D-cut incorporated Loomis living, but keeping intact the T-cut ending, which is superior imo. I can't remember if the Workprint had that ending or the original ending. There was an alternate ending that just had Michael walk out and just slammed with a barrage of police fire and drop, kind of like H4's ending. It was a bit of an anti-climax.
Re: The Slasher Face-Off Part IX: The Final Chapter
Yeah, the workprint was sort of an homage to Halloween 4, and really surprised me when watching it the first time. While he was obviously remaking the original, casting Danielle and filming that sequence shows he is an H4 nutswinger like myself.
You never watched the actual workprint itself?
Re: The Slasher Face-Off Part IX: The Final Chapter
I watched it when it came out. But it's been two years since i've seen it, and I only saw it once. I've seen three different versions, so it's hard to keep them together. Saw the workprint like once in 2007, Theatrical once in 2007, and the Director's Cut is the one i'm most familiar with, i've seen several times from 2007 to the present.
I remembered the workprint having the H4-esque original ending, showing a surviving Loomis. The T-cut pretty clearly showed Loomis dying and then had the Laurie ending. And then the D-cut was a mix, primarily with the T-cut ending, but adding in the little shot from the workprint to acknowledge Loomis lived.
I assume H2 is going on the D-cut being Zombie's foundation for the sequel. Correct me if i'm wrong.
And as for Danielle Harris, I thought that was from fan persistence that Harris should be brought back into the new franchise as Annie, as she was a fan favorite. 'Cause I remember the fans wanting all of the old cast being in the film. I think they wanted Danielle as Annie, and Charles Cyphers as Loomis, and PJ Soles as Laurie's mom... stuff that just was never going to happen.
Re: The Slasher Face-Off Part IX: The Final Chapter
I have the workprint somewhere. DTJ got her hands on it before the film even came out, and sent it to me. I was standing by the mailbox foaming at the mouth.
Haven't watched it in a long time though. Used to watch it quite often in late 07/early 08. When I track it down I'll send it to you.
Funny you mention which cut is the basis for a sequel as its a really good point. Instead of fans asking Zombie dumb questions, they should ask things like that.
Re: The Slasher Face-Off Part IX: The Final Chapter
Do you think the workprint was superior? I don't remember any major changes. Certaintly not like the Halloween 6: Producer's Cut which the entire final act of the film was different, as well as many alternate and extended scenes as well as score in-between.
As for Zombie, I think the Director's Cut will be the basis for the sequel, with Malcolm returning. The T-cut had his head crushed, and the D-cut had him crawling on the floor, grabbing at Michael's leg.
Re: The Slasher Face-Off Part IX: The Final Chapter
Yes I do. I actually need to see it again for a refresher, but there were differences. I remember Kristina Klebe's boyfriend was killed in a different way. In the theatrical, the kill was a rip off from the original. In the workprint, he's killed in the van. There were some added scenes of Michael when he was young also. Like you mentioned above, some of the Loomis scenes were different.
The use of Monster Mash was a better choice than the use of Kiss. I think it fit the opening much better.
Re: The Slasher Face-Off Part IX: The Final Chapter
I did remember the Mash being the opening, and also thinking it was better.
I enjoy Zombie's use of classic rock in his films (my tastes), but God of Thunder just did not fit any moment of Halloween at all.
If he wanted KISS so bad, he would've been better suited using Deuce during Judith's sex scene.
Re: The Slasher Face-Off Part IX: The Final Chapter
Well, according to the results of the 9 threads, Michael comes out the victor among these slashers. It's not surprising to see Halloween be the preferred franchise of them all.
It always did seem to be the 'classier' of the bunch.
