The Observer, October 13, 2006
Volume XXXIX, Issue 7
Texas Chainsaw Massacre a bloody mess
When war plagues a country as it currently does the United States, it is natural for that society to resort to mediums of art, specifically film, in order to express public sentiment or voice protest. Some can be as blatant and in-your-face as Fahrenheit 911 by radical director Michael Moore, or as craftily subtle as the Lord of the Rings trilogy. (written by Tolkien during and after his World War I experiences), with its "ultimate battle between good and evil." However, political innuendo hardly resonates deeply in a slasher film, especially a commercial cop-out that provides no character development such as Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning, which opened in theaters last Friday, Oct. 6.
The original Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974), directed by Tobe Hooper, was a landmark which basically invented the slasher genre and revolutionized the way viewers look at horror. The $140,000 production cost turned into a $30 million plus profit, spawning a franchise of movies, games, clothing, and fans. The villain "Leatherface" was cemented as an iconic villain in the horror genre.
Naturally, hype and buzz generated around a 2003 remake featuring Jessica Biel (of WB TV show 7th Heaven fame). The movie ended up grossing over $100 million worldwide, but was a general disappointment, moving away from the original story and offering no unique or genuine scares, relying more on Biel's breasts in a wet white T-shirt and in-your-face gory sadism to satisfy audiences. Nonetheless, a prequel was slated, taken on by the production company of Michael Bay, most famous for this directorial work in The Rock, Bad Boys, and Armageddon.
As a young director Michael Bay was hailed as revolutionary, but his style of quick takes, fast-paced action, and stylistic violence was imitated to the point of saturation. As he worked on new projects, critics were quick to insult his elaborate, high budget films such as Pearl Harbor (2001) and The Island (2005). Bay then turned to production, using his money to finance horror films, including both Texas Chainsaw remakes. For Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning he picked up South African director Jonathan Liebesman (the same director he chose to helm the new Friday the 13th film scheduled for release sometime in October 2007). Regardless of how bad the remake was, Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning offered some hope of creativity and style with its interesting marketing approach; for example, curious viewers could not see secured trailers onthe film's website before the scheduled release unless it was after 10 p.m. or before 6 a.m., to increase the fright factor. The film ultimately is a disorganized letdown, providing no character development or connection and skewering the celebration (or horrific realization) of Leatherface and his chainsaw.
The prequel ultimately aimed to explore Leatherface and his family, how they became cannibals and how Leatherface became the monster he is. The story is fast-forwarded 20 years through the opening credits, with Leatherface being born in a slaughterhouse with birth defects and mental retardation, being thrown in a garbage bin, picked up by a couple who then proceed to raise the disturbed boy in a life of self-mutilation and slaughter. When the local slaughterhouse shuts down, forcing most residents in the Texas town to move away, Leatherface and his family decide to stay, preferring to murder and eat unsuspecting travelers who happen to wander into their town. This does not bode well for the four obligatorially hot young teenagers (two men and two women) traveling to Mexico. All are young, marginally talented actors and actresses. Jordanna Brewster, the headliner, was powerful as torn Mia Toretto in The Fast and the Furious. Yet in TCM: The Beginning, they offer little in terms of dialogue. Bailey (Diora Baird) isn't even a compelling screamer, preferring to whimper and moan instead of letting out blood-curdling shrieks of horror.
The only bright acting spot (by default) is R. Lee Ermey, a former U.S. Marine corps instructor notoriously known for his role as Sergeant Hartman in Stanley Kubrick's Full Metal Jacket, a performance that garnered him a Golden Globe nomination. Ermey, who takes on the role of Sheriff Hoyt, clearly realizes the type of film he is in, and imbues his character with a quirky sense of humor. In one scene where he kills an officer trying to apprehend Leatherface, he casually remarks, "Well s---, I just took out the whole police department." Yet outside of the sarcastic performance of Ermey, there is not much else to look forward to in The Beginning. The questions that fans ultimately want answered (such as why Leatherface uses people's faces as masks and why his family eats people) are lost in the weak plot development. The point where Leatherface uses his chainsaw for the first time is so lame that I found myself laughing at R. Lee Ermey (again stealing a scene) instead of getting chills up my spine upon seeing Leatherface use his weapon of choice for the first time.
Finally to the political innuendo. If done well, connection to current issues in society is a welcome surprise and connects the audience to the film even more. The movie repeatedly refers to the Vietnam War and post-traumatic stress disorder in Eric (Matthew Bomer). Yet when his draft-card burning brother Dean (Taylor Handley from The OC) is beaten by Ermey, who screams "Freedom is not free!" the connection to modern times is lost. But really, is a slasher flick the best place to be making sweeping political statements anyway?
Texas Chainsaw Massacre is not all bad. Brewster parades her lower body parts in low-cut jeans, offering many shots of her derriére and butt cleavage to the camera. I guess men are supposed to appreciate that. The characters, while not exactly compelling, are very good-looking. Also, the infamous dinner scene of the original movie is recreated here in the prequel, with very interesting camerawork and a true sense of horror as the family sits down "to eat."
Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning made nearly $20 million in its opening weekend, and was the second-highest grossing film of the week. But if what you really want is a scary film with some depth, skip this gore-light prequel and go for the original. You'll be much more satisfied.
Overall Grade: D
