DVD review (region 1)
Directed by Sean S. Cunningham (Friday the 13th); Steve Miner (Parts 2 & 3)
Starring Betsy Palmer, Adrienne King, Jeannine Taylor (Friday the 13th); Amy Steel, John Furey, Adrienne King (Part 2); Dana Kimmell, Paul Kratka, Nick Savage (Part 3) Release date Out now

Horny teenagers are picked off by a maniac at the idyllic Camp Crystal Lake …

1980’s Friday the 13th can’t really compete with Halloween in terms of either scares or filmmaking skill. But despite (and partly because of) some shaky performances and corny lines, the seminal smash slasher remains hugely enjoyable, filled with inventive kills, neat old-school special effects and Harry Manfredini’s unmistakable score (including that iconic ‘Ki ki!’ sound). And let’s not forget about a speared Kevin Bacon. Not bad for a Halloween rip-off originally entitled ‘Long Night at Camp Blood’.

Everyone knows that after the original it was a case of diminishing returns. Except that it wasn’t, as Friday the 13th Part 2 is a better movie in every respect. The terrific slow-burning opening sequence, in which the sole survivor of the original (Adrienne King) is terrorised in her home, was an obvious influence on Scream’s prologue, while the trend for killing off former protagonists in sequels would later be seen in the likes of Hostel Part II.

Director Steve Miner, working with a higher budget that allowed the use of creeping steadicams and more elaborate effects, has an excellent handle on pacing and camerawork, often framing the slasher-fodder in inventive, skilful ways (check out the scene with Vicki in her cabin during a storm). This was the one that introduced Jason Voorhees as the killer (previously only seen as a mutated kid in the original’s Carrie-inspired finale), though he wears an eerie sack over his head for the duration of the movie.

It wasn’t until Miner’s Friday the 13th Part 3 in 1982 that Jason would don the iconic hockey mask. Though not quite as surprising as Part 2, it’s another proficient horror movie with new novelty kills (including a nasty eyeball-popping scene), loveably dopey characters and plenty of popcorn-spilling pointy 3-D moments. The Final Chapter aside, the subsequent sequels were never quite as skilfully made as these early instalments, but all remain goofy nostalgic fun for anyone who grew up with them.

The first two movies are loaded with fan-friendly extras. The original includes such treats as a commentary track by Sean S. Cunningham and a special reunion feature, while Part 2 includes an in-depth interview with Peter M. Bracke (author of Crystal Lake Memories) and lots of fun convention material (including a panel of the various actors who’ve played Jason). The DVDs also include parts 1 and 2 of a new Jason short film called ‘Lost Tales from Camp’, though it’s pretty dreary stuff.

There are no extras on the third movie sadly, but it does include both 2-D and 3-D versions of the film (and glasses of course). Matt McAllister

VERDICT
Friday the 13th: 7/10
Friday the 13th Part 2: 8/10
Friday the 13th Part 3: 7/10