Friday the 13th (1980)

This splatter flick, along with John Carpenter's Halloween, helped spawn the great horror-movie movement of the '80s, not to mention eight sequels, many of which had nothing to do with the films that preceded them. It also gave birth to Jason Voorhees, one of the three biggest horror-movie psychos of the modern era (the other two being Halloween's Michael Myers and A Nightmare on Elm Street's Freddy Krueger). Forever duplicated, the original Friday the 13th popularized a number of themes and techniques that today are now clichés: the increasingly gory murders, the remote forest location, the anonymous and nubile cast, the murderer as cult hero, and, of course, the moral that if you have sex, you will die, very painfully. Still, if you have to see a Friday the 13th movie, this is the one to check out. A group of eager (and horny) teenagers decide to reopen Camp Crystal Lake, which 20 years earlier was closed after the shocking and mysterious murders of two amorous camp counselors. You can take it from there, as the teens get picked off one by one, during a dark and stormy night; of course, their car won't start and there's no phone. The ending stole shamelessly from Brian De Palma's Carrie, but it still provides a slight if campy shock. Look for a young Kevin Bacon as the requisite stud--you can tell that's what he is because when the cast appears in swimsuits, he's wearing a Speedo--who's the beneficiary of the film's best murder sequence, an arrowhead to the throat. Right after having sex, of course. --Mark Englehart Amazon.com essential video

 While this movie overated, it is still a good watch.
Years ago at Camp Crystal Lake, a boy named Jason Voorhees drowned. A year later, 2 camp councilors were murdered, which closed the camp down. A few years later, unexplained fires started, which stopped the camp from reopening. Now, a group of teens plan on reopening "Camp Blood" on Friday the 13th.

First off, this movie isn't anything special. If you enjoy 80s slasher movies, then you'll enjoy Friday the 13th. However, if you aren't a fan of slasher movies, then you'll think that this movie is a bunch of garbage. In fact, if the movie didn't have Tom Savini's gore effects, I couldn't say that this movie would have been a good watch. Tom Savini's effects and kill scenes are really what make this movie.

The character development is very poor. You watch the movie knowing NOTHING about any of the characters or where they come from. The acting is also terrible. If you are bothered by poor acting, just forget about this movie. The acting is almost as bad as they come.

One thing I liked about this movie besides the kill scenes is the setting. This was one of the first movies to start the "Campground" craze. Knowing that the characters are all alone in the woods really add to the feeling of Friday the 13th. I'd have to say that this is one of the movie's strongest points.

So overall, Friday the 13th is enjoyable, but not great. Don't expect a landmark horror movie. If you like slasher movies, then go for it!

April 23, 2008

 The One That Started It All ... For Better or Worse
This marks the beginning of the "Friday the 13th" franchise. For me, the first four "Friday the 13th" films are the only ones worth watching. This one is one of the better entries. It helped cement the popularity of the slasher genre during the early 1980s. It also starred Kevin Bacon before he got really famous is "Footloose". Everyone has to start somewhere! This is simply a fun movie to watch. Sure, there's plenty of cheese and the movie is not very original. And I always found Mrs. Voorhees chatting to herself in Jason's voice to be way goofy. But there are some real scary moments as well. Plus some good gore effects. Plus, it has that nutty bicycle guy who appeared in the first two "Friday the 13th" films. Turn off your brain for a little while and enjoy! April 21, 2008

 The One That Started It All
Friday The 13th is the film that spawned 10 sequel, a spin off series, video game and countless imiators. This is the film that many tried to duplicate but never could. I recall seeing this film for the first time and loving it. The film even stars the cool Kevin Bacon. April 8, 2008

 The First is always the best!!
FRIDAY THE 13TH was the best of the series with a young Kevin Bacon, Betsy Palmer as Mrs. Voorhees.
I just watched part 6 the other day it is the only Movie in the series next to the first one that actually have kids come to the camp before all the camp staff gets killed.
Plus the first one was the most realistic out of the series until when JASON comes back to life.
Even though Betsy Palmer was short lived in the series (Part 1) there is no doubt this the best movie in the series.
I rate this movie a 9 from 1to10!! December 31, 2007

 Question
The movie is cool and all, but I have one question
At the begining the counselors are singing a song that goes
theyll be milk and honey hallelujah, what is the name of that song? December 19, 2007

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