REVIEWS

Texas Chainsaw Massacre Leaves No Meat On The Bone (Josh's Take)

by Josh Green
October 6, 2006

• US Release Date: October 6, 2006
• Genre: Horror, Thriller
• MPAA: Rated R (for strong horror violence/gore, language and some sexual content)
• Running Time: 84 minutes
• Directed by: Jonathan Liebesman
• on IMDb
•    9/10

It's time to go back to where the legend was born in New Line Cinema's Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning. The film depicts the birth of Thomas Hewitt (Andrew Bryniarski), the man known to many as Leatherface, as well as his morbid family and the horrific events that shape "what is known as the most brutal killing spree of all time."

In a completely different way than the 2003 remake displayed, The Beginning is a terrifying journey into the darkest depths of mankind, traveling into places many would never want to go. The film is overly brutal and gory, something that the 2003 remake was lacking, and also generates the same gloomy spirit of the original. As a whole, the film is able to create blood freezing tension that shocks the audience at almost every turn.

Without giving to much away, I will say that I was pleasantly surprised at how much my expectations were blown away. I feel like this is the remake everyone was hoping for, even though it is not a remake. A lot of the same elements of the story are typical from previous Texas Chainsaw Massacre films, but the audience is shown very interesting elements that they have not seen before. The birth of Leatherface, the creation of his first mask, where he found his chainsaw, and so on. All of these elements are exciting for genre fans, much like how the origin of Anakin Skywalker was exciting for many Star Wars fans.

R. Lee Ermy as Sheriff Hoyt steals the movie. His performance is dead on. There is much more his character is able to do in this film. He is shown to be just as evil as Leatherface, if not more. Although R. Lee Ermy's performance stands out, the rest of the cast shouldn't be ignored either. Andrew Bryniarski does a great job with portraying the evolution of Leatherface's macabre insanity throughout the film. He really shows us through expressions the horror as well as the sadness of the iconic character.

For some, this new Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning will seem like a social commentary on today's youth. How violent films "like that Texas Chainsaw" fuel the fire for violence in today's teens. I don't understand why there is such criticism on the horror genre all the time. As Hostel director Eli Roth has said, the best critique you can give a horror film is to tell people not to see it. These films aren't made to make people enjoy them. They are sick, grotesque, and hopefully stir an emotion that truly terrifies the audience. If the movie can do this, it has done its purpose.

Last Word:
While Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning might be too violent for some, fans of the horror genre will have the best time they have had all year. It is refreshing to have scares come this early in October. Enjoy the screams!

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