Stars: Thom Matthews, Jennifer Cooke
Director: Tom McLoughlin
1985 was a great year for film but not necessarily for the horror film. 1986, on the other hand, got back into form and we start with my favorite Friday the 13th film of all time.
Brief synopsis:
A now grown Tommy Jarvis has just been released from a psychiatric hospital and his first stop is Forest Green, the new name of Crystal Lake. In what is probably the smartest move the town council has made, the town changed its name to try and escape the notoriety of Jason Voorhees. It might have worked had Tommy not dug up the grave and, with the help of an iron rod and lightning, resurrected the killer. The man behind the mask is back and he wants to make up for lost time.
Spoilers below (you have been warned):
Jason kills Tommy’s friend but Tommy escapes. He runs straight to the police station but no one believes him. Instead, they lock Tommy up for disturbing the peace. Meanwhile, Jason’s killing spree begins. He starts off with the lead counselors who are killed on the road to Camp Forest Green. The next morning, the counselors come to the station to report their missing comrades. The group is led by Megan Garris, who also happens to be the Sherriff’s daughter. Tommy tells them from his cell that Jason killed their friends but the Sherriff waves him off as a crazy man and reminds his daughter that Jason is just a legend and sends the counselors back to camp. Sherriff Garris then releases Tommy so he can send him out of town and away from his daughter. Tommy breaks from the escort and leads the small parade to the cemetery only to find Jason’s grave filled in. Garris then literally throws Tommy out of town and warns him to never return again.
Meanwhile, Megan and her friends attempt to set up camp and face something far scarier than Jason – actual children. Yes, this is the first and only time we see children attending camp in a Friday the 13th movie and they are a snarky little group. The day seems to go well and the counselors manage to complete all the activities and get the children fed and to bed. That is because Jason is busy killing paint ballers on a corporate retreat, a newly engaged couple, and the cemetery caretaker. One of the counselors, Cort, goes on a date with a woman in an RV and they both end up killed. Megan goes to the police station to see if her dad has heard anything about the other counselors but he is busy going to the crime scene of the last murder and instructs his daughter to stay there. She is hanging out there when Tommy calls to try and get the police to help him trap Jason. She decides to help him.
The young couple lead the police on a brief police chase but are quickly caught and brought back to the station. The Sherriff tries to pin the murders on Tommy but Megan insists that isn’t possible because Tommy was with her during the murders. Megan breaks Tommy out of jail and they head to the camp, positive that is where he will be headed and they are right. Jason makes quick work of the counselors and then the police after the arrive. Tommy gets chains and a large rock into a boat, hoping to return Jason to his rightful resting place – the lake. He goes out on a boat and lures Jason out there, saving Megan’s life. Tommy sets fire to the lake and, after a brief battle, manages to get the chain around Jason’s neck and throws the boulder overboard. Jason is dragged to the bottom of the lake but grabs Tommy on the way down. Megan swims out and uses the boat motor on Jason’s head. He lets go of Tommy. Megan brings Tommy to shore and uses CPR to save his life. Jason is shown tied to the bottom of the lake, undead and unable to escape.
My thoughts (with spoilers):
I said at the beginning that this is my favorite of the series and I stand by that. This film is fun with a twisted sense of humor and an ability to laugh at itself. This isn’t going to win any awards but if I am looking for a Friday the 13th film, this is usually my go to.
The writer and director understood that these film series had been going on for a long time and that the formula needed shaking up. His choice was to add humor and self-awareness to the script. This is probably the best Friday the 13th script of the series. The choice to have actual campers at the camp adds a little bit of tension to the movie and some snarkiness. These kids aren’t afraid to say what is on their minds. One kid in particular seems to have the wryest sense of humor. At one point, Megan is screaming as she runs around looking for help. The kids are all hiding under their beds and he goes, “so what were you going to be when you grew up?”. This is my kind of humor and it is there throughout the script. McLoughlin recognized the absurdity of the whole set-up and leaned into it.
The acting is decent for a Friday the 13th film. Let’s face it, you are not expecting award-winning actors here, just people able to deliver their lines in a slightly believable way. This film is the debut of Tony Goldwyn, who was a few years out from being the bad guy in Ghost. Renee Jones as counselor Sissy had a prominent role in Days of Our Lives for years as Lexie Carver. Jennifer Cooke was just coming off the short-lived series “V” where she played Elizabeth - a human/alien hybrid, and Thom Mathews appeared in Return of the Living Dead. They play their parts well and really embrace the comedy portions of the script. CJ Graham is a formidable Jason and I like his take on the lumbering killer.
But the thing that probably put this film over the others in this series, for me, is that this is the only one with an actual theme song. Alice Cooper wrote and performed the killer track “He’s Back (The Man Behind The Mask)” and also contributed his songs “Teenage Frankenstein” and “Hard Rock Summer” to the movie. Cooper’s “He’s Back” is probably tied for my favorite horror rock song from the 80’s, the other one being “Pet Semetary” by the Ramones. Fun fact: I am part of the Now Playing Facebook group (shout out to my fellow members) and I had a poll asking if people preferred this or “Dream Warriors” by Dokken. Cooper won by a smidge.
I can honestly say that if you are going to watch just one Friday the 13th film, I highly recommend it be this one. Some people prefer Part 4 but it lacks the self-awareness and fun of this one. Added note, do yourself a favor and never watch Part 5 – it is truly terrible.
More films from 1986 to check out:
The Great Mouse Detective – Underrated Disney film that is the mouse version of Sherlock Holmes. Vincent Price has a ball as the villain, Ratigan, just don’t call him a rat.
Back to School – Rodney Dangerfield plays a successful man who never got his degree. Desperate to improve his relationship with his son following a disastrous marriage to the stepmom, he bribes his way into school to spend more time with him. The son is played by Keith Gordon from Christine and his roommate is a pre-Ironman Robert Downey Jr.
Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home – my personal favorite of the series even if I know it is not as good as Star Trek II. The crew of the Enterprise time travels to Earth in the 1980’s to bring back an extinct animal. The cast has fun with the fish out of water circumstances and it helped reset the franchise, at least until the disastrous part 5.