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Jason Lives

I never thought I'd say this, but I actually liked a Friday the 13th movie. I didn't love it, but I wasn't throwing things across the room in disgust when I watched it.

That in itself is an accomplishment.

I've made no secret that I detest what the Friday the 13th franchise did for horror movies. Taking the same tactic that the adult film industry did, character development and plot development went out the window in hopes of showing more blood, gore, and nudity. It's what the average viewer wants right? Well, not when it's done with terrible acting and lousy screenwriting.

Knowing full well that I wasn't going to watch some gem, I decided to watch the Friday the 13th reboot made by Platinum Dunes, also the ones responsible for the Texas Chainsaw Massacre remake (and sequel/prequel). Mere minutes in, I was surprised how good the film looked. Felt like I was watching something that involved actual effort. And there was some decent acting and character development, even though there was an air of satire to the whole thing.

When I talk to people my age who enjoy horror movies, something from the Friday the 13th franchise is usually brought up. It was a gateway to other movies like Suspiria or Dawn of the Dead. I'm no different because Jason Goes to Hell was a first for me as a ninth grader. Never seen things be so explicit onscreen, and it certainly wasn't the last. A few years later, the Scream franchise came along, and I've been a fan of the genre ever since.

As much as I don't like remakes, rare instances allow movies a better chance. But not every movie is the same. And that's why there's no way I'll check out any of the previous movies from the franchise.

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