While some of it is stuff we’ve already seen, with its new cast of characters and great makeup effects, Friday The 13^th: The Final Chapter is the most refreshing sequel since Part 2.

Presumed dead, Jason awakens at a morgue and returns to Crystal Lake to resume his deadly activities, which just so happens to be where a group of teenagers are staying for the weekend. As Jason attacks, the teens are totally helpless in defending themselves, however the little family in the neighbouring cabin may stand a chance.

What I Was Expecting

Before watching the film, I did a little research and was immediately taken aback to James Rolfe’s Monster Madness reviews. I remembered his commentary, I remembered the clips he showed. This is the one where a young Corey Feldman is into horror and creature FX. This is the one where a baby-faced Crispin Glover dances his hair off. This is the one where a guy gets his throat slit while watching women exercise.

I was expecting the greatest motion picture ever produced by the species.

What I Got

The film has a really good opening with an ominous recap of the last three films, retelling Jason’s history and emphasising the almost mythic status he’s gained.

Final Chapter is quite distinct compared to its predecessors, mainly in terms of characters because while it does feature yet another group of teens, it also features a small family. The mother, her son and eldest daughter introduce a completely different dynamic than that of a group of partying youngsters. It’s a Friday the 13^th film so they’re not beautifully written, three-dimensional characters but when Jason appears, a different kind of tension follows. We’re not watching a group of friends trying to protect each other but a family. On top of that, the younger son’s interest in makeup FX and monsters was, for a horror fan like myself, a nice little bonus.

The group of teens are actually kind of entertaining. More so than the previous casts? Maybe. They’re a good laugh because of just how stereotypical they are. This is the gang you reference when you’re writing your slasher parody script. They talk constantly about how to get laid and who can do it first and who they’re going to do it with. Half of the time you’ll be a little bored because you’ve seen these characters before and you really don’t care about what they have to say. The other half however you’ll either be laughing, cringing or gawking in wonderous bafflement.  

Compared to the kills of Part 3, Final Chapter’s gore is a lot less cartoony and more realistic. Tom Savini returns for the makeup effects, which hold up a lot better than his pieces in the first one. Some of the effects are so well done I can see them making modern audiences cringe.

Yes, it’s the same premise the fourth time in a row but fortunately there’re so many unique highlights from the family dynamic to the gloriously camp teens, that the dull and repetitive bits aren’t so sufferable.

I give Friday The 13^th Part 4 a worthy 4 out of 10.