FRIDAY THE 13TH PART 3

It's a toss for up for me concerning FRIDAY THE 13TH PART 3, there are things I really like about the third film, but there are things about it that really bug me.  Things I even hate about it.  While it's not my least favorite entry in the series, I do think it's one of the weakest.  It was made to be seen in 3D and if you can't view it that way then quite frankly the film does not hold up very good.  According to interviews with cast and crew the movies budget focused on the 3D more than anything. And believe me it shows.

Until Paramount Pictures releases a proper home video 3D release of FRIDAY THE 13TH PART 3, it will continue to be the ultimate dud of the series.  What we are stuck with for the time being is a headache inducing 3D that requires the use of those lame red and blue lenses glasses.  They're lame because they don't freaking work half the time!  It's hard not to see a double image most of the time.  And if you are lucky to have the 3D work, the colors are very washed out and the picture has a blue and or reddish hue to it.

With the 3D being the main selling point of the film, everything else seemed to take a backseat. None of the acting is very good. There are plenty of entertaining moments but I cannot help but notice weak spots in performances throughout. It probably has to do with the script or lack of one. I have heard stories and seen interviews where production had started even before a script was completed. And when there was a script, rewrites were happening constantly.

Now while the acting is a tad sub par I think it's worth noting that the characters remain likable. And what little story FRIDAY THE 13TH PART 3 does have, you do have to admire the “final girl” characters story arc and how it actually comes full circle. Say what you will about slasher flicks just being “women in peril” schlock, but I found Chris's fight with Jason quite entertaining and empowering.

Chris and her friends go to her family's lake house for the weekend. This is a big thing for Chris, seeing that she was raped the last time she visited the lake house. It's time to put her fears to rest, as she puts it. Little do Chris and her friends know that there is a killer on the loose.

Fresh off his killing spree in Part II, Jason Voorhees takes his reign of terror from Camp Crystal and moves it to the other side of the lake. The weekend at the lake house turns bloody as Jason kills the “party goers” one by one. And Chris will literally have to face her fear as she discovers that it was Jason who raped her 2 years ago.

In terms of continuity the plot of this movie sucks. It makes zero sense continuity wise, but in all honesty continuity in a Friday The 13th film went out the door in the first sequel. I like these movies because they are apart of my childhood and pop culture, but Parts II – VIII have all been one glaring plot hole.

There is something else that bugs me about FRIDAY THE 13TH PART 3 and that's the costume/production design. In order for the 3D to work there had to be a lot of the color red and the color blue in front of the camera. The majority of the cast was wearing something either red or blue. The production design was the same way. The van they drove was blue, the lake house had a red barn, and the general store had red vending machines. You get the idea.

I think it's worth noting that this is the film where Jason gets his iconic hockey mask. A trademark that lasted the rest of the series. It wasn't until recently that I found out a little history behind the famous mask. Apparently the original idea was for Jason to not have a mask, but someone thought that the characters make-up wasn't scary enough so they stuck with the mask. One of the best ideas in the history of the franchise if you ask me!

I can only recommend FRIDAY THE 13TH PART 3 to those interested in the history of the slasher flick sub genre of horror. Other than that, you're perfectly fine with just checking out Part IV, my personal favorite of the series.

Happy Friday the 13th!