In Texas Chainsaw the family that slays together stays together. Based directly on narrative events witnessed in Tobe Hooper’s seminal 1974 shocker, The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, John Luessenhop’s 2013 sequel sets out to expand upon the bloody shenanigans of the Sawyer clan in twisted new fashion. At the multiplex, you also got to see it in 3D.
The film has a rather peculiar raison d’être in that it seeks to humanise a demented cannibal killer. The Frankenstein-inspired aspects do not sit well. Texas Chainsaw exclusively feeds on the audience’s thirst for fantasy carnage rather than instil a sense of creeping fear. A debt is owed less to the original and more to the tired horror sequels of the 1980s, where figures such as Freddy and Jason cut a swathe through a photogenic, teenage population.
For the home market release most viewers will see the picture in glorious 2D. (Lionsgate have released a fancy pants 3D Blu-ray version, too.) The HD quality is first-rate and footage from Hooper’s film, shot on grubby 16mm, has been spruced up too. Watching the movie, it’s easy to discern that the use of stereoscope is unimaginative and resorts to countless ‘chainsaw pointed at the audience’ gimmicks. That limp and obvious tact makes for a fitting summary of the entire enterprise, really. It stays within the safe confines of the corny.
The three audio commentaries range from poor to film geek heaven. Luessenhop’s chat track is deathly dull. The second commentary, featuring Tobe Hooper and producer Carl Mazzocone, is an improvement. Lastly, the original surviving cast members of the 1974 classic discuss the remake and their memories of this new production.
The ‘Making-of’ featurettes are extensive and cover virtually every aspect of the film. It’s clear this movie was made with passion and genuine love but commercial concerns and a rather naff plot destroy the good intentions. If the age discrepancy regarding lead character Heather drove you nuts when you saw it at the pictures, then several crew members do actually raise the issue. Actress Alexandra Daddario looks about 25, tops, but the 21st century setting puts Heather at around 38-39. The absurdity is never brought up in the movie itself but Carl Mazzocone tells us, entirely straightfaced, that we shouldn’t take 1974 (the original’s year of release) as the year the story was set. Not only is that angle pushing things desperately, it still doesn’t add up.
Texas Chainsaw is a bizarre mixture of love letter tribute, bland accoutrements and delightful gore. It’s mostly not very good but nowhere near deserved the kicking it received on theatrical release.
Martyn has awarded Texas Chainsaw and its bounty of extra features three Torches of Truth
