Friday the 13th Part V: Jason's Legacy

This was a very enjoyable take on F13 #5. The first time I watched this movie I hated it, mainly because of the twist ending. But on further rewatches I have grown to like it. It's not in my Top 5 for the franchise, it's in the middle. This edit aims to move it along and cut down the lame side-characters, keeping the story focused on the main group of kids. I thought that was well done and the story never dragged for me.

I definitely recommend this if you're going to do a Friday the 13th marathon and you don't want to waste too much time with Part V (unless you're some Canadian in love with the original).

Overview - Botched relaunch of the Friday 13th franchise, widely scorned by Jason fanboys. Root failure stems from atrocious writing, though inept, formulaic direction did not help, nor did primarily grade D acting which rarely rose above high school level. Last Survivor remedies those deficiencies by slight rearranging of the plot and extensive trimming.

Video - As would be expected of this editor, quality work here. Picture remains solid throughout. Blacks are stable, and this is a dark film. In rearranging, there is always the risk of shifts in light, especially outdoor lighting, yet there is none of that. One peculiar “error” occurs at 47.36 when the Paramount logo flashes. I take this is left in as a grindhouse joke but it is distracting.

Audio - Solid two channel audio, which is probably more than needed, when mono would have been fine. Dailogue always clear, as is every footstep, and every noisy mode of death.

Narrative - With wholesale editing, there is the risk of losing coherency. Logic does suffer slightly. It is hard to keep up with characters, who even in the original, were little more than the next meal. The whole edit has an outta control roller coaster ride feel to it, though I found that a good thing.

Enjoyment - Never my favorite Friday 13th episode, LS’s edit is a major improvement. His streamlined plot tries to vault plot nonsense with mostly good results (Though one might still wonder about the nonsensical camp for what? Horny teenage delinquents? Funded by our tax dollars?). Some will be disappointed by less kills, but Debisue Voorhees and her spectacular picnic spread remains. Great job, and my go-to for this film from now on.