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Jason vs. Freddy The Movie
Director: Ronny Yu
Rated: R
Rating: 

Reviewed By: Scott Vile

Even if you're not a fan of horror movies, there is no denying that Freddy Kruger (A Nightmare On Elm Street series) and Jason Voorhies (Friday the 13th series) are icons of an era. Even if you ARE a fan of either series, there's no doubt that you've seen a couple entries in each that have been embarrasing to watch. So going in to a movie like this, one has a vague feeling of what to expect, while not knowing exactly how it will turn out. 

Any typical reviewer will bash this film, just as they've bashed even the good entries of either series. Most reviews therefore are pretty pointless. But the point remains, there is a fan base and demand, and for a reason. So, as a fan, to the fans, I'm here to tell you: Does this movie suck? 

The concept of Freddy Vs. Jason has been a long time coming, one that was foreshadowed to horror fans' glee in 1993's Jason Goes To Hell: The Final Friday. However, the idea has suffered so many issues that in frustration, producer Sean Cunningham went ahead and created another Friday the 13th entry (2002's Jason X), almost confirming the F-Vs-J project would never REALLY get off the ground. 

The "will it ever really happen" factor was equivalent to horror fans minds' as "Chinese Democracy" is to GNR fans. 

But in America, where anything can happen, and especially in the movie world, it eventually has. Now that Freddy Vs. Jason has finally reached theatres, how does it fare? 

Pretty well, actually. 

A Nightmare On Elm Street fans will be pleased with Freddy's return, with series staple Robert England in costume (what else is the type cast actor gonna do?) with a drier, more evil portrayal of Mr. Fred Kruger than most past entries. This is the Freddy from Nightmare 1, 3, and Wes Craven's New Nightmare. Thankfully, this isn't the Freddy who is wearing sunglasses and skateboarding, as he spouts painful one liners during each of his victim's deaths.

This Fred Kruger is more to the roots of Wes Craven's original creation, which I applaud. Freddy 2003 is a pissed-off child killer who enjoys his work, rather than a horrible comedian who kills teens on the side. 

Jason Voorhies fans may be slightly disappointed in their man's portrayal in the movie, however. Some enthusiasts will no doubt be disappointed that Jason is not being played by Kane Hodder, who became a series regular since 1988's The New Blood (Friday Part 7). However, other than Hodder, Jason has been portrayed by different actors in each entry since it's introduction, so a new guy behind the mask isn't exactly a revolutionary concept. Played by the huge Ken Kirzinger, Jason's back as a bad ass in this entry; his kills are both violent and inventive. One of his portrayed fears in a dream sequence in this film will no doubt be up for much debate on F13th message boards, however. 

The story isn't brilliant, but a surprisingly functional way to bring together the murdering duo. This is especially considering that each of series' past plot lines (A dog ressurected Freddy in Nightmare 4 by pissing on his grave, and Jason's grave was struck by lightning in Friday 6). The surviving kids of Freddy Kruger's wrath have basically been quarantined in a Springwood mental institution, with no contact to the outside world, being drugged daily with an experimental dream suppressant. Now, the remaining Elm Street kids of Springwood no nothing of the past disasters. With no teenage fear for Freddy to feed off of, he's pretty pissed over the situation, but too weak to do much about it. Forced to scour the area for candidates, he finds a weak mind and unlikely victim to exploit: the retarded-at-birth Jason Voorhies. Freddy attacks Jason's dreams as Jason's cherished mother, demanding him to inflict carnage on Elm Street once again, in hopes of the resulting fearful survivors to speak the Kruger name again. The only problem for Freddy is that Jason goes too far and starts killing Freddy's prey, which eventually results in a final showdown between the two. 

The movie does a lot right. Freddy gets some cool, and slightly humorous dream sequences. There's also a lot of T&A and brutal violence for the Jason fans to see. The best scene ties the confrontation between the two well, at a rave in a cornfield where Jason kills a passed out victim that Freddy's currently stalking in the dream world. 

The movie does a few things wrong too, mainly with the cheesy lines and acting. However, if you've sat through the other films, you'd probably be upset if those downfalls were missing, so it could be taken as almost intentional. Another problem is that when it comes to scares, there really aren't any. There's gore galore, for sure, but no really tense moments that could strike actual fear. This is more of a summer action movie, with gore galore, than a true HORROR movie.

Modestly budgeted at $25 million, the movie has some classic cinematic moments, but some awkwardly executed CGI as well. Overall, the film works about 20 times better than I would have expected, though I didn't expect much.  Horror fans, rejoice, and only with only a light grain of salt.

Now that you've read the review of the movie, check out this review of the soundtrack
 

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