friday the 13th - Ultimate DVD collection

THE FLICKS: No one is going to mistake them for classics, even within the unheralded horror genre, but the Friday films have had an undeniably huge effect on modern cinema. The successful formula of “oversexed teenagers” + “masked serial killer” was like a big cream pie in the face of critics everywhere who cringed at Jason Voorhees hockey-masked shenanigans, while less artistically-minded teens just chalked it up as cathartic Friday night foreplay. Despite their lack of real artistic merit (you can make a weak case for parts one and six), the Friday films do differ from one film to another. But like buying name brand vs. generic, you’ll really don’t notice until you try them all. Luckily, Paramount’s Friday the 13th: Ultimate DVD Collection gives you the opportunity to sample the first eight bloody escapades of Jason, his mom, and a whole chum line of camp counselors. Subtitled From Crystal Lake to Manhattan, this set does not include the more recent New Line Cinema pictures for obvious legal reasons. It begins with Sean Cunningham’s original Halloween rip-off, establishing the legend of “Camp Blood” and the formula every film in the series would follow religiously. And culminates with the misleadingly titled finale Jason Takes Manhattan, which features only about 20-minutes of New York location footage. In between are some fun excursions (VI: Jason Lives is the wittiest and most creative of the bunch), surprising cast appearances (check out Crispin Glover and Corey Feldman in IV: The Final Chapter) and major let-downs (V: A New Beginning is embarrassing beginning to end). Ironically, for a film series condemned for its violence, there’s a certain simplicity and innocence to the proceedings. Horror films, even the sub-slasher genre, have become so much more complicated since the days when the woods, a rainstorm and some horny camp counselors could inspire fear in an audience. The Friday films capture an era of excess that now seems almost conservative, if not downright silly. THE FEATURES: If you’re a lurker at any of the on-line DVD sites, you’ve probably already gotten an earful about what’s included and not included on the set. The main source of contention seems to be the lack of uncut material (which is presented, but only accessible as an extra feature and not incorporated in the films). That issue aside, Paramount has presented Friday fans with a sweet slate of extras! The Friday the 13th Chronicles covers every entry in the series with interviews from creator Sean Cunningham, cast members like Amy Steele (my favorite virginal hero of the bunch), and a few of the guys that played Jason over the years. Secrets Galore Behind the Gore lets Tom Savini tell you how he made his grotesque effects. Friday Artifacts and Collectibles visits some filmmakers and fans immense memorabilia collections. Plus commentaries on four out of the eight films. In addition to the Cutting Room Excerpts, you’re looking at around 12 hours of stuff to sift through. FINAL SCORE: If you’re on the fence about this one (not great films, but if you’re like me, if you’ve got one you’ve got to have them all), perhaps the fact that Paramount went out of the way to make it more affordable will help you out. By doubling up the movies two-to-a-disc (without sacrificing quality, by the way...they all look terrific even though part 3 isn’t in it’s original 3D format ) you can pick up all eight for about the same price as the Star Wars set most places.