The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 Lacks Tension: A Movie Review (Blu-Ray)

*full disclosure: a Blu-Ray copy of this film was provided by 20th Century Fox.

Director: Tobe Hooper.

Writers: Kim Henkel, Tobe Hooper and L.M. Kit Carson.

Cast: Dennis Hopper, Caroline Williams, Jim Siedow, Bill Moseley, Bill Johnson, and Ken Evert.

The original Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974) is a horror classic. This film created the standard from which future villains would mimic. The mask, the weapon, the terror, filmmakers would pay homage to this classic for decades and they still do today. Tobe Hooper's follow up to this film, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2, left an indelible mark on this film fan in 1986. However, Hooper's follow-up now seems tame compared to contemporary standards. Focusing on dark comedy, this sequel adds very little to the series. Only the ending involving dueling chainsaws creates tension, an element that is found more in the original.

The story of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 again follows a cannibalistic family hiding out in northeastern Texas. It is here that they dine on locals. The leftovers are turned into a chili for local food fairs. The Sawyer family seems to have created a few enemies since they first entered the cinemascape twelve years prior. A lone Texas Ranger, played by Dennis Hooper, follows the family to their roost in a rhinestone outfit. Let the bad jokes begin!

There really is no comparison between this off-kilter showing and the original. The first film created tension through mystery. It was scary knowing that something would happen in the first film, but not knowing when the action would take place. Here, the film gives viewers everything upfront. The first scene is a 10 minute action sequence in which Leatherface attacks two yuppies. Imagination is not required.

The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 adds very little to the series. While this is the only film to directly follow the original, there is little left to know of the Sawyer family. Actor Bill Moseley makes an intro' in this piece as Chop Top, but his inclusion adds only a little humour. It would almost have been better to see brother turn on brother at some point. Also, this film follows a predictable pattern with the hero facing evil (bad eating habits) and triumphing. A heroine adds the final coup de grace; yet, this sequel is a major step down from the original.

The overacting, sparse story and musical soundtrack are some of this sequel's foibles. Viewers can always rely on Bill Moseley to overact in almost every piece he appears in. Here, a set of false and gapped teeth help him appear crazed, but not even Moseley can add much to the flimsy material here. Was there really a story? It seems that plotlines can be reduced to a few words: kidnapping, cannibalism and vengeance. This does not make for a great framework to begin from. As well, pipe organs seem to unsettle at every moment. Hearing the soundtrack is like being at a carnival with a first time performer on the keys. These elements distract from the film's potential.

There is one scene in this film that cannot be forgotten. Seeing character Vanita (Caroline Williams) face off with Chop Top was quite good. Although the appearance of stunt doubles take something away from the high-flying action, there is something truly great about seeing actress Williams swing a chainsaw manically on top of a dirt monument. This scene will not soon be forgotten.

The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 has released on Blu-Ray for the first time as of September 11 and horror fans should see the original rather than this second film. There is a reason that The Texas Chainsaw Massacre is a classic and viewers seeing the sequel might forget why. Head back farther in time to 1974 to find a film whose style and storytelling created for one of the cornerstones of the horror genre. The film found here just does not compare.

Overall: 6 out of 10 (fairly silly, few thrills, good ending, good sets and set dressings, predictable).

*special features on the Blu-Ray include: commentaires with Tobe Hooper and filmmaker David Gregory.

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