Thursday, July 25, 2013
Michael Allen
Writer: Adam Green.
Cast: Danielle Harris, Kane Hodder, Zach Galligan, Caroline Williams and Parry Shen.
Hatchet III played across Canada for one night only, July 24th. This showing was part of Raven Banner Entertainment's Sinister Cinema. And, the Hatchet series of films have been going strong since 2007. However, some of that strength is fading for this franchise in 2013. The story has mostly been forgotten or simply regurgitated in this second sequel. Victor Crowley (Kane Hodder), a beast sized killer, is still terrorizing the Honey Island Swamp and this time a voodoo curse must be unraveled to stop this crazed killer. But, Crowley would rather cleave into his new visitors: Mary Beth (Danielle Harris), Amanda (Caroline Williams), several paramedics and various SWAT personnel. The gore is laughable, but sometimes a sight to see. And, Hatchet III is really about the spectacle and not much more.
The film begins right where Hatchet II left off. Mary Beth has just killed Crowley, again and she heads to the local Sheriff's department to provide the good news. She is locked up instead. Then, several police personnel head out to the island to see what has happened. They find dozens of bodies, including Crowley's cadaver. But, Crowley is not dead, for long and most of the other characters will be breathing their last, very soon.
There is really only one reason to see this film: the gore. Hatchet III really tones down the story from previous films, in favour of gruesome murders. For instance, one police officer has his chest ripped apart, another has his face cleaved in two and others find the business end of an axe, at various points in the film. The returning character, Mary Beth, is not developed any further, but her body finds another hole or two. Even an RPG flies across the screen. All of these elements create for some visual attractions, or hauntings. Though, spectacle is not enough to hold a film together.
Hatchet III is too light on story and this viewer believes that the story line of Victor Crowley has gone as far as it can. How many times can this monster be rebirthed? Jason Voorhees did it over ten times, but the story arcs become repetitive over time. The film here felt like a rehash of old ideas and themes. There was really nowhere for the series to go, but down.
Hatchet III is light on story and full of violent conflict. There are few characters who survive into the credits and Crowley may have breathed his last, depending on box office receipts. This film fan enjoyed some of the many bloody events onscreen, but the film's story can be summed up in a scene or two. Crowley needs to find a better way to communicate, outside of a hundredth axe swing or throw, to keep things interesting and exciting.
Overall: 6.75 out of 10 (simple story, recurring settings, recurring scenarios).
A trailer for the film is here:
A Red Band Trailer for Hatchet III
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Posted in: 2013,danielle harris,hatchet,hatchet ii,movie,movie review,plot,review,slasher,slasher horror movie review,story,synopsis,victor crowley
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