At the risk of sounding like the world’s worst horror fan, it has to be said that no slasher flick is quite as overrated as The Texas Chain Saw Massacre. Sure it’s gory and features a truly iconic villain, but for the most part it’s a pretty dull and tedious affair. As such, anyone would be forgiven for steering clear of this seventh installment in an overblown franchise that’s reared its ugly skin-clad face once again to jump on the 3D bandwagon.
First things first, Texas Chainsaw 3D isn’t great but then nobody expected it to be. However, despite being released purely to milk the 3D cow, you have to give the producers kudos for having the balls to brush the original sequels and the remake series under the carpet and pick up where the original left off.
Jed “Leatherface” Sawyer has just finished his massacre when the townsfolk of Newt, Texas decide they’ve had enough of all the power tool inflicted slayings and descend upon the farmhouse and burn it, and its inhabitants, to the ground. All except for baby Edith, who’s swiftly adopted and raised as Heather Miller leaving her with no clue as to her family’s claret-soaked legacy.
Fast forward around 20 years and Heather discovers she’s been left everything in her grandmother’s will. Heading to her new house with a bunch of friends, it’s not long before they discover Leatherface is alive and living in the basement. Cue the screaming.
The film plays out pretty predictably for the most part as Leatherface sets about making a nuisance of himself (the scamp), but it’s in the latter half of the film where everything is turned on its head in a pretty ridiculous fashion. Sure, it’s fun but you’ll be left wondering what the hell is going on. As such, it’s a pretty weird continuation of a franchise that should never have gone past one mediocre movie.
As for the Blu-ray package, the image is pretty much flawless. Dark colours remain stark and separate and the detail is superb. In terms of audio, stifled claustrophobic yells and every bloody squelch is rendered in fantastic detail. Where things really fail however is in the 3D bits. Cartoonishly CG blood spurting at the screen looks silly enough to snap you right out of the action. Other than that, it’s a nice looking and great sounding disc.
Extras are in abundance which should appease the franchise’s fans. The package sports three commentaries including one featuring the original film’s director, Tobe Hooper, and another “Chainsaw Alumni” commentary featuring original Leatherface Gunnar Hansen and other voices familiar to fans.
Elsewhere are a ton of features that bang on about the series’ legacy and one focusing on Leatherface’s 2013 update. You also get an alternate opening. It’s a good crop of loot if you’re a Texas Chainsaw fan. Not really worth bothering with if you’re not. Then again, that’s exactly what can be said about the film itself.
Overall verdict: An often fun but ultimately samey blood-drenched return to Texas. Can we please just put the franchise to bed?
Special Features:
Audio Commentary with Director John Luessenhop & Actor Dan Yeager
Audio Commentary with Producer Carl Mazzocone and Filmmaker Tobe Hooper
Special “Chainsaw Alumni” Audio Commentary with stars Bill Moseley, Gunnar Hansen, Marilyn Burns and John Dugan
Texas Chainsaw Legacy
Resurrecting the Saw
The Old Homestead
Casting Terror
Leatherface 2013
Lights, Camera, Massacre
It’s in the Meat
Alternate Opening
On Set Short Subjects : Five Minute Massacres
Reviewer: Jordan Brown