PopHorror Let's Get Scared
As with any modern telling of classic horror past the first two movies, it rarely goes over well amongst horror hounds. Some people don’t want to see 10 movies with the same character and plot. Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation is one of those movies that people like to trash. Maybe it’s because they just wanted a movie with Leatherface. What we got is absolutely mesmerizing to me. The film receives so many complaints that you are almost ashamed to say you liked it. Well, most people. Personally, I like to see it as a continuation, bringing the Sawyer family into the 90s without being a remake.
Synposis
After leaving their prom early, innocent Jenny and three other teenagers crash their car in the backwoods of Texas. In their search for help, they run into Vilmer Slaughter, a vicious psychopath with a mechanical leg, and his twisted family, including the serial killer Leatherface. As the group of friends struggle to survive the maniacal methods of torture, Jenny discovers the secret origins behind the family’s lust for blood.
Kim Henkel directed the film, which stars Renée Zellweger and Matthew McConaughey.
Carrying the Torch
Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation brought a new light to the franchise. The film, though highly criticized, still hit a home run in my opinion. In a time when films went straight to video, the film still found its way into theaters. Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation has survived over the years, with fans of the franchise showing their loyalty to a creepy tale. Haters are always gonna hate, or gatekeep, but the fact of the matter is that people are allowed to like what they want without harassment. Through all the trash talk, I chose to block it out. I always enjoyed the movies that made others question their interest.
There have always been modern tellings of slashers. From Freddy’s Dead: The Final Nightmare to Halloween H20, all those iconic slashers were given a breath of fresh air. The 90s were a wild time for horror; you may even say it was like the uncharted west. Directors were looking to carry on legacies for a few extra dollars. However, it was always hit or miss. This film stands the test of time for me. Gleefully basking in its own legend, that most people ignore. The film was about as off the wall as you could think.
There are so many golden moments that give light to the original franchise. The soundtrack is exactly what you expect to fit the film’s mood. It’s like a heavy metal hayride through hell, keeping all your emotions in check from fear to uncontrollable laughter. The best part about the film is that it doesn’t need to fit a mold. The film is relatable to the true spirit of Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2, just a lot sillier and campier. I mean, come on, there’s even a robot arm.
In The End
Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation expands on how the family survived into modern times, all the while recognizing that Leatherface is still alive after all of those years. We also see that Leatherface is not afraid to gender bend at all, looking a whole lot different since he found his soft side. Though there was a story involved, I enjoyed the film even without that fact; it’s easy to fall in love with it when given the chance. Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation set the bar for B-movies that became successful. Even if it only seems that way to me.
