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When we were teens, my siblings and I would talk about how pissed we were regarding the decision to have this lunatic paramedic be Jason's "successor". Going towards a more "bold" direction by throwing us a curve ball at the end with Tommy "replacing" Jason as the future series' killer just didn't sit well with us and other Friday the 13th fans, but I see the ending of A New Beginning now and like that it does something different than what the series is known for. Plus John Shepherd is so damn good in the end scenes that he sells us quite a bill of goods through zero dialogue and all expression. You actually see a "new persona" take hold of Tommy--in essence, Jason himself--and the potential of a new breed of Crystal Lake killer would be born here. It is all performance and Shepherd's gradual change "into Jason" is impressive. This is maybe my favorite scene of the whole film. There's a rage in Shepherd, a burning pain. Truthfully, this film, all body count, horny and troubled kids, tits and decadence, and zoom ins, doesn't really deserve this kind of good performance.



Notice the different color and look of the hockey mask, here and in the image below? Subtle but cool.

Why and how does this mask wind up in this hospital drawer?




A nice try but the series is synonymous with Jason Voorhees, so envisioning anyone else in his place is requesting the avid Friday the 13th fan to abandon their desired "villain". Melanie Kinnaman, by the way, could be the most beautiful final woman (not girl, this time) considered by me of the series. Just a stunning looking woman. She didn't need to act her ass off, but I didn't think she was the worst actress of the series, either. Kind of middling. Next to the atrocious Dana Kimmell, she's a thespian.

Comments

  1. The Bloody Pit of HorrorFebruary 19, 2015 at 12:44 PM

    I not long ago re-watched a few of these. I think Part 5 feels the sleaziest and cheapest of them all! It's too bad Shepherd didn't get to play Tommy in Part 6 cause he's way better than Thom Mathews.

    ReplyDelete
  2. crowFebruary 19, 2015 at 6:43 PM

    I think Shepherd really nails the part. It is a performance considered wooden by some but I couldn't disagree more. When compared to other performances, his is by far towering of them. I think Part 1 has the best overall cast, but Shepherd sure helps Part 5 out.

    ReplyDelete

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