It’s got a death curse: Ranking all the Friday the 13th films
As a lifelong horror enthusiast and self-proclaimed connoisseur of all things Jason Voorhees, I must say that my favorite entries in the Friday the 13th series are undoubtedly Part 2, The Final Chapter, and Jason Lives. Having grown up watching these films, they hold a special place in my heart and have significantly shaped my appreciation for the genre.
As a child, I shared many of my first horror experiences with my father by watching different “Friday the 13th” movies. On Fridays, he would occasionally accompany me to our neighborhood video store where I was instantly drawn to the horror section. The allure of the “Friday the 13th” VHS tapes, whether it was the menacing gaze from Jason’s hockey mask or the promise of gruesome deaths, captivated my curiosity.
Despite no new theatrical movie since the 2009 remake, the slasher franchise I adore still tops my list. With the status of Mr. Voorhees uncertain, let’s delve into the classic Friday the 13th films this coming Friday instead.
Here’s my personal ranking of the franchise, warts and all.
12. Jason X (2001)
Certainly! Here’s one way to rephrase that in a more natural and easy-to-read manner:
By now, Jason has been reduced to a laughing stock in this franchise. The strict no-sex, no-alcohol, no-drugs rules are already satirized within the initial 20 minutes of the movie. Sending him to space doesn’t improve things much. There’s even a sequence where he battles an android woman. That’s about all I have to say regarding this film.
11. Friday the 13th Pt. 5: A New Beginning (1985)
This film is part of a trilogy featuring Tommy Jarvis and it takes place some time after the exceptional events depicted in “Friday the 13th Part 4: The Final Chapter”. Here, Tommy (played by John Shepherd) is dealing with the traumas of his past in a psychiatric institution. Despite his efforts, he’s unable to fully escape the haunting presence of Jason.
In due time, the killings commence. Is it Tommy, a reborn Jason, or someone else? This film does showcase some intriguing elements revolving around the psychological trauma of the celebrated final boy. Regrettably, the movie’s primary flaw lies in the absence of Jason, making the entire production feel inferior as a result. The antagonist is an unimpressive imitator of the original.
10. Jason Goes to Hell (1993)
In a similar vein to “A New Beginning,” this film appears to be another instance of a story falling short. It seems the franchise struggled to find direction, and unfortunately, “Jason Goes to Hell” doesn’t shine as brightly as some might hope. While it may not reach the depths of “Jason X,” it’s fair to say that it doesn’t quite live up to expectations. Despite its devoted fanbase, particularly in recent times, I must admit the opening 15 minutes are engaging, but then… it falters.
In this film, there’s a character who is a bounty hunter, making the plot quite extraordinary. Notably, Jason meets an untimely end at the hands of the military in the opening scene, and afterward, people consume his essence, adopting his characteristics. The movie boasts some good action sequences, but I seldom revisit it.
9. Friday the 13h Pt. 8: Jason Takes Manhattan (1989)
It was a shame that much of the movie unfolded on a boat rather than showcasing Jason terrorizing teens in New York City, as it had great promise to do. Instead, we only got to see him in the Big Apple towards the end of the film.
Still, this movie is fun, especially in the last act. My favorite scene occurs when Jason knocks Julius’ (Vincent Craig Dupree) head off atop a building. He also kicks over a boombox and scares punk rockers by simply lifting his mask. Though this film squandered its potential, it’s still worth a rewatch now and then.
8. Friday the 13th (2009)
During a period when several original slasher movies were being remade or rebooted, such as “Nightmare on Elm Street”, “Texas Chainsaw Massacre”, and “Evil Dead”, the remake of “Friday the 13th” was also released. Opinions vary on which ones are superior, but I have a soft spot for Fede Álvarez’s rendition of “Evil Dead”. As for the initial “Texas Chainsaw Massacre” remake, directed by Marcus Nispel, he was also behind this “Friday the 13th” reboot/remake.
Over time, I’ve grown to appreciate this movie even more. It harks back to fundamental elements. The deaths in it are particularly gruesome, and Derek Mears gives a convincing portrayal of the large character. He is both intimidating and terrifying.
7. Freddy vs. Jason (2003)
Fans had eagerly anticipated this movie for quite some time, as it featured a long-awaited confrontation between the two most formidable horror icons. The idea was subtly hinted at since the end of “Jason Goes to Hell”, when Freddy’s glove emerged from the ground, seized Jason’s mask, and dragged it down into the depths.
While Ronny Yu isn’t new to the horror genre with his work on films like “Bride of Chucky,” he’s also known for directing numerous action movies. This is clearly evident during the fight scenes featuring Freddy and Jason. Essentially, this movie offers a delightfully campy experience that many fans have been eagerly anticipating – a long-awaited confrontation between two significant figures in the horror genre.
6. Friday the 13th Pt. 3 (1982)
As a gamer, I’ve gotta say, this flick’s a real mind-boggler! It’s not just the 3D aspect that’s trippy; there’s a motorcycle crew that seems disconnected from the storyline, and some dialogue that’s downright peculiar. But hey, here’s the kicker – this is the movie where ol’ Jason snatched his iconic hockey mask! At conventions, the guy who plays Shelly, Larry Zerner, always cracks jokes about how he was the one who led Jason to that mask.
In addition to Friday the 13th Part 3, Chris (played by Dana Kimmell) stands out as a remarkable final girl. Her chilling showdown with Jason in the barn is a scene that haunts dreams. This film boasts more high points than low ones and, noteworthy, it’s where Jason adopts his iconic mask!
5. Friday the 13th Pt. 7: The New Blood (1988)
Listen, I know that some people really, really detest this movie. Some fans would push this way down at the bottom of the list. Maybe it’s because this is one of the first Friday the 13th films I ever saw, after my dad bought it on VHS for me at a flea market, but I’ll always have a soft spot for this film.
I really like the Carrie/telekinesis thread at the heart of this film. I think Lar Park-Lincoln makes a great final girl as Tina. She really kicks Jason’s butt with her powers. Meanwhile, Kane Hodder adorns the hockey mask for the very first time in this film. His costume design looks great, especially that scene where he steps out of Camp Crystal Lake, and you can see his spine and rotting flesh. Much of the gore was cut out of this film, but there’s a lot that works well with this one, if fans give it another chance.
4. Friday the 13th (1980)
To put it simply, this film serves as the foundation for the series we know today. It showcases Tom Savini’s extraordinary practical effects, and it’s where we first see Kevin Bacon’s character, Jack, meet his untimely end on screen. Notably, Pamela Voorhees, portrayed by Betty Palmer, takes up the mantle of avenging her son in this movie.
The original film also boasts one of the best final girls of all time, Adrienne King as Alice. Meanwhile, Palmer terrifies as Jason’s vengeful mommy. This film also has one of the best jump scares of all time in its final minutes. Oh, and who can forget the late, great Walt Gorney as crazy Ralph, who warns that Crystal Lake has a “death curse.” Though this is the OG, I do think a few of the sequels surpassed it.
3. Friday the 13th Pt. 2 (1981)
Sean S. Cunningham’s first movie was incredibly successful, leading inevitably to a follow-up. To my surprise, I prefer the sequel over its original. In this installment, we encounter “Jason with the sack for a head.” Unsurprisingly, he isn’t thrilled that Alice beheaded his mom.
Despite Alice being swiftly eliminated in this movie, it took away her tranquil ending as the original final girl. However, it provided Adrienne King with an exit from the series following a stalker incident, which I understand. Yet, my admiration for Amy Steel’s portrayal of Ginny remains undiminished. This film also delves deeper into the storyline of the initial movie, illustrating just how menacing Jason has grown since we last saw him.
2. Friday the 13th Pt. 4: The Final Chapter (1984)
It seems that for many fans, The Final Chapter is their top choice, boasting plenty of repeat-watch appeal. This movie features a youthful Corey Feldman as Tommy Jarvis, the monster kid, and I particularly enjoy the scene where he displays his self-made masks. He’s almost like a young Tom Savini, who came back to handle the special effects for this film.
In addition, it showcases Crispin Glover’s quirky and charming dance sequences. Moreover, it boasts Trish (played by Kimberly Beck), an exceptional final girl who goes to great lengths to evade Jason and safeguard her brother, Tommy. This installment, intended as the concluding film of the series, truly stands out as a peak in the franchise’s quality.
1. Friday the 13th Pt. 6: Jason Lives (1986)
Among many things I appreciate about “The Final Chapter,” I find myself drawn more towards “Jason Lives.” The adult Tommy Jarvis, portrayed by Thom Mathews, is a character that captivates me. He escapes from the mental hospital, revisits Camp Blood, and inadvertently revives Jason. The opening scene of this movie and director Tom McLoughlin’s recurring references to Universal Monsters, particularly the tone, ambiance, and visual style, are aspects I truly admire.
This film, similar to Scream from a decade later, displays a high level of self-awareness and satirizes the Friday the 13th series. It confidently acknowledges its horror roots and the conventions associated with it. Moreover, it introduces the character of zombie Jason, portrayed brilliantly by C.J. Graham, who is my personal favorite Jason, alongside Kane Hodder.
Currently, you can stream the Friday the 13th series from the 1st to the 8th installment, as well as the 2009 remake, on Max. Meanwhile, Freddy vs. Jason, Jason Goes to Hell, and Jason X are available for rental on most streaming platforms.
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2024-09-13 17:25