The prequel that no one was asking for. This movie explains the backstory to revisionist remake of Texas Chainsaw Massacre from 2003. Of course if you are a fan of splatter flicks this is right up your alley. I usually don't mind the quality as long as the story is being developed. This works. The film hits the ground running. We get to see the birth of Leatherface and are introduced to the unlucky group of young people that will undoubtedly fall victim to the murderous Hewitt Family.
The Hewitt family is just getting their footing and setting themselves up to be the most vicious and blood-thirsty family of killers in America. Thomas Hewitt has murdered his boss at the local meat packing plant and Charlie has executed and assumed the identity of the Sheriff. This doesn't bode well for the unlucky group of young adults riding through town. Not only are the adults being harassed by a gang of bikers, but they are also being hunted by the twisted cannibalistic family.
The storyline does feel as if it is being hammered into place. At least during a few segments of this film. Take Charlie Hewitt's transformation into Sheriff Hoyt. It was alright but forced. The underlying storyline with the young adults is okay, but it just lacks character. They try to add depth with some bikers but it just falls flat. For everything that this movie should be, it isn't.
Nothing really sets this apart from the 2003 remake. You sort of understand where the movie is going without even seeing it. You know that the Hewitt Family is going to be victorious to some degree. I mean they go-on to be in the original remake. The gore isn't that bad. It's actually pretty tame for being so bloody. I actually expected this one to be more gruesome than it actually was. Most of the mutilation is off camera. But it is strongly implied with big spurts of blood. The chainsaw murders are more stabbing than slicing. That little detail ensures that the movie isn't too graphic. Don't get me wrong. This movie still has loads of blood and is inappropriate for those with low constitution. But it's not hard to watch.
The movie does have the problem of being long and drawn out. Although most of it is packed with pointless filler action, but if you're a fan of that kind of thing then it shouldn't be much of an issue. It's not a bad movie it's just nothing new. I would suggest watching the original and the 2003 remake but not this. It's just unnecessary.
Director: Jonathan Liebesman
Starring: Jordana Brewster, Taylor Handley, Diora Baird, and R. Lee Emery
Style: Cannibalistic Graphic Slasher
Studio: New Line Cinema
Country: USA
Did ya know?
According to producer Brad Fuller, the film was given an NC-17 by the MPAA, and a total of 17 scenes had to be edited in order to get an R rating.
Jordana Brewster initially got made fun of for the way she ran during filming scenes in which her character Chrissie had to run. Jordana said she's use to running on a treadmill in form, producer Andrew Form (and Jordana's future husband) told her that she looked like she was running in the 'Chariots of Fire', they told her to run messy with her arms in the air and not go in a straight line. Jordana said she ended up running faster then the camera operators could go and was like, 'Well, how's that?' with a laugh
When Eric gets his face wrapped in cellophane by Sheriff Hoyt that's actually real, Matt Bomer's head was actually being wrapped in Saran Wrap, R. Lee Ermey said he was very concerned for him. They left a small gap opening at the bottom of Matt's chin for him to breathe but that didn't help much, so when ever he was having trouble breathing he would indicate by knocking his knees together
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