Review: Leatherface

(imdb.com)

Family drama is a treasure trove of material. So many movies feature it in some form; financial issues, relationships and lies and deceit all culminate into endless tales that can be used to compel audiences. Perhaps none other has capitalized on this more than the Texas Chainsaw Massacre. With cannibalism, inbred behavior and crazed mental stability, the Sawyers are an outlandish enigma of interwoven insanity. But, when your family is as messed up as Leatherface's, why would anyone ever think the material would stop churning out?


Featuring a pretty stellar cast and a core that feels reminiscent of Texas Chainsaw Massacre II, this origin story follows what is presumably the first major stint and escape from a mental institution for the titular killer and his cohort of chosen family. The star of the movie is undoubtedly Lili Taylor (The Conjuring) who plays the struggling and disturbed matriarch of the family, Verna. Flanked by a cast of young stars, including Sam Strike (M.I. High) as Jedidiah, the inmate and eldest son, crazed patients Ike, played by James Bloor (DCI Banks), Clarice, played by Jessica Madsen, and Bud, played by Sam Coleman, Leatherface makes out well with its determined psychopathic characters.


The film does suffer from a lack of overall clarity. The time cuts throughout seem spliced together with little follow through and the established twist only comes together through gathered context, rather than established storytelling. There are also some parts that seem relatively nonsensical and over-the-top, but this is, of course, a movie in a franchise known for its insanity. Unfortunately, when insanity become clutter, it's hard to make it past.


Despite its flaws, Leatherface does succeed on a number of levels. It's young and driven cast is entertaining enough. Additionally, this movie is nostalgia galore; there plenty of inspired scenes that haven't been brought out of horror convention storage for years. The asylum escape, plenty of cheap gore and the birth of an icon all provide enough to keep audience attention. This movie makes the most of its low-brow entertainment, while also portraying its characters as something deeper than other movies have gone. Is this a disservice to the original? Maybe, but it also makes the depraved Sawyers compellingly bad people, regardless of what injustices have been acted against them.


Leatherface isn't the greatest horror film of the modern era, or even this year. But it is a thrilling romp reminiscent of movies like The Hills Have Eyes remake. It's cheap, crazy fun. The cast is all committed - Taylor is especially - and there's a lot to love about this old-fashioned inbred-led cannibal film. 6 out 0f 10.

Best in Show: Slasher Films (Part II of II)

Here we go- the conclusion of yesterday's list:

(Wikipedia.org)

5. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre & Halloween (tie, yeah that's right, a tie) (1974 & 1978)
Invoking fear as the sun sets around his grotesque features, Leatherface's dance with his chainsaw is one of the industry's most cinematic moments. I personally believe this is one of the most off-putting movies of all time (in the best way possible). As a horror fan, it's hard not to respect and appreciate a film that has spawned so many sequels and remakes. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre is disgusting, but also beautiful in its creation- a complex and horrifying product that is recognizable even to those who have not seen it (Don't worry, I have), and for that it's a necessary addition to this list.

I originally had Halloween as number six on this list but altered it to fit different movies; after all, every "best slashers" lists online often ends up looking the same with a lot of classics. Both films stand out alone but also work hand-in-hand as emblems of the subgenre. The music of Halloween, like the imagery of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, is iconic and so are the characters within. Laurie and Michael Myers are often recognized as some of cinema's greatest, and I would agree.



(fanpop.com)

4. Saw (series) (2004-2017)

Somewhere in between slasher and torture, the Saw series has become an iconic- sometimes laughable franchise of insane traps and a puppet named Billy. Featuring the serial killer Jigsaw and his secret collection of accomplices, I would most definitely place this movie set in the slasher subgenre (as evident by its existence on this list). Sure, sometimes the movies are shallow and unrealistic, but the creative traps alone are enough to place it on this list. I loved the series throughout high school and continue to force others to enjoy it as well.



(Wikipedia.org)


3. Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)

I went back and forth on the validity of Nightmare on Elm Street as a slasher film. Sure it has a killer, but it’s also supernatural and to me, slashers are at least somewhat grounded in reality. For years, Freddy has been considered one of the greatest horror legends of history and rightfully so. But, while Elm Street is often noted as a slasher, I didn't necessarily agree. I did however, end up adding him anyway since this movie is amazing. Despite dated graphics, there is something constantly terrifying about The Nightmare on Elm Street. The inescapable nature of his killings is truly the stuff of nightmares (get it?).



(horrorfilmcentral.com)

2. The Strangers (2008)

I first saw The Strangers while dog-sitting at a country home. To say I was terrified is an understatement. The Strangers is about a dismantling couple who are subtly stalked and then attacked in a secluded house. One of the reason's this movie is effective (other than it's "based on a true story" prologue) is it's deeply grounded imagery and plot. Nothing that happens in this movie is all that unrealistic and this alone should leave viewers sunk into their seats. To this day fire alarms make me feel like someone is behind me.

(Neelsreeldeel)

1. Scream (series) (1996-2011)

The Halloween costume most worn in the history of ever has to be Ghostface. The Scream series is easily the most entertaining and simultaneously the greatest set of slasher movies ever (yes, even the fourth). With a cast of reoccurring characters that you grow to love, a whodunit element of surprise and never ending satire, the self-reflective series is one of the movie industry's greatest accomplishments (sorry Avatar).