Friday
the 13th
Director:
Sean S. Cunningham
Year
1980
Friday
the 13th is the epitome of the 80's slasher. Gory, wild,
and full of atmospheric dread, this granddaddy of the genre is a
moody force benefiting from a fresh-faced young cast and an
impressive effects department. Spearheading the trademark archetypes
of the slasher genre, the film moves headlong into what would soon
become a cinematic phenomenon, spawning countless imitators and a
generation of horror fanatics. A classic in its own right, Friday the
13th earns its iconic status as it has just the right
amount of mood and horror to unsettle you, as it does character and
lasting charm.
The film
follows a group of camp counselors as they prepare for the coming
season at Camp Crystal Lake to begin. During their preparations they
are stalked by an unknown assailant and are picked off, one by one.
But who could this mysterious murderer be and could it have something
to do with the tragic death of a young camper in Crystal Lake's past?
With so many questions there's one thing for certain, and that is
that this place has a death curse!
Friday
the 13th, like all entertaining slasher films, has a great
assortment of characters to help mix things up. Adrienne King rises
to the task as Alice Hardy the surprisingly resilient counselor that
proves too hard to kill. King is an interesting choice, as her
character pretty much blends into the background during the early
moments of the film and doesn't stand out until most of the cast has
been killed, but I guess that lends to the fact that these were the
early years of the genre, when things weren't so cliché and
predictable. King does a great job as she gives a tremendously
underplayed performance, playing the quiet and conservative young
counselor and her genuine take on the character is rather
impressionable.
The real
memorable characters of the film are the supporting cast, as they
show the more wild and promiscuous sides of the group. Lining up the
various victims we have Kevin Bacon as Jack Burrel, Jeannine Taylor
as Marcie Cunningham, Robbi Morgan as Annie, Harry Crosby as Bill,
Laurie Bartram as Brenda, and Mark Nelson as Ned Rubinstein. Each of
these actors feel natural and credible as a group of teenagers, and
that combined genuine tone gives the film a believable foundation to
support the gruesome things to come. Now truthfully there's nothing
outstanding about the individual performances, it's just that they
are played so authentically and naturally that it aids greatly in
making the world of Friday the 13th seem tangible. As for
the performance that really explodes the film into motion, that
credit would go to Betsy Palmer as Pamela Voorhees. Her character's
dual personality is a thing of demented beauty and she really takes
charge of the film when she bursts onto the scene. Off kilter and
truly devilish, Palmer goes out on a limb to really inject a sense of
dementia into the mix, giving stark realization that this film and
its subject matter are quite out of their mind.
Aside
from the cast, the real stars of Friday the 13th are the
atmosphere, locations, and special effects. There's nothing as potent
as a secluded camp in the middle of no-where, aside a still lake, and
this production makes great use of this tried and true scenario. The
imagery and ambiance of the movie is top notch, often becoming so
overpowering and weighty that you find yourself being sucked in to
the visuals. This is all balanced perfectly with a pace and approach
that is somewhat laid back and observant. In almost a voyeuristic
way, the film allows us to become comfortable with our main
characters and the spaces that they inhabit, often allowing for great
moments of silence to engulf the scene as potential victims
investigate a strange noise in the back of a dark and foreboding
room.
The
silence and restraint of these instances are tremendous precursors to
the inevitable violent and bloody deaths that are sure to come, and
special effects artist Tom Savini does wonders on ending them on high
memorable notes. Necks are slit, skulls are chopped, throats are
punctured, and heads are decapitated, all in glorious practical
presentations that will make you cringe in disgust. Extremely
effective and gruesome to boot, Savini's work in Friday the 13th
is a memorable footnote in what would eventually be a legendary
career in the horror genre. With its spectacular atmosphere and
iconic imagery, Friday the 13th is without a doubt a
stunning intro to what would eventually be a most interesting series
of murders, mayhem and masochistic fun!
Friday
the 13th is credited for starting the slasher genre, but
in essence it was pulling off of a very storied history of horror
films. Black Christmas and The Texas Chainsaw Massacre are truer to
starting the trend, but it was Mario Bava's A Bay of Blood that
really set those killer wheels in motion in the first place.
Mirroring the tone and feel of Bava's 1971 murder opus, Friday the
13th brought the iconic set up into the 80's and from
there the sub-genre set ablaze with countless imitators and handfuls
of outstanding efforts. With its cast of characters and memorable
deaths, Friday the 13th upped the ante on what would
eventually become the norm within the genre, marking its place as the
cream of the crop.
The
film's immersive atmosphere and undeniably vivid effects work aided
in bringing the world of Friday the 13th to life and in
the process making Camp Crystal Lake seem like a real life place
where horrible things can and will occur. Toppled onto that are the
genuinely presented characters of the film, which also serve to keep
that same sustained believability factor intact. It may be an over
the top and violent affair, but the filmmakers make great efforts in
easing us into the mayhem by slowly absorbing us into the world and
quietly setting up the scares. The build up and payoff are enormously
effective and the end result give way to a film that for me will
always maintain its classic status. If for some reason this essential
slasher has slipped through your fingers, then you owe it to yourself
to witness the film that started the 80's slasher craze. It may not
be high art, but it is extremely potent. Friday the 13th
is the undisputed.....
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| Shouldn't one of you assholes be watching the road? Hey Assholes! |
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| What a strange time to be saying the Pledge of Allegiance. |
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| Is that a hotdog in your speedo Kevin Bacon, or are you just happy to see me? |
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| Stache and handkerchief.... Badass! |
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| Hold it right there Tonto. |
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| Did I mention that this place has a death curse? |
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| Here's for that ridiculous boner Bacon! |
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| She's got a splitting headache. Wakka, wakka! |
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| The stache gets the chicks every time. |
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| Sweet! It's a wet night gown contest! |
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| Get that lens flare out of my face! Who the hell do you think you are, J.J. Abrams?!?! |
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| Not looking so good buddy. |
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| I make the same face when I have to take a shit too. |
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| Hi there! |
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| Psychotic Staring Contest.... GO! |
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| Hi everyone. Just hanging around. |
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| Stop right there or I'll shot you in the baby baker! |
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| Mrs. Voorhees showing her, "Oh Shit" face. |