Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning (2006) Blu-Ray
Movie Review by Herr Doktor
09.14.11
Greetings Fiends!! Oh it's been a while since my last review and while Graduate Study and work are demanding, I will not ignore what I love again.
To celebrate the end of my silence, I want to present one of my guilty pleasures in 1080p Blu fucking ray clarity: The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: the Beginning. Let's get the party started...
Movie Review:
I love this series. From 1970's grind house original, to the cheesy but awesome TCM 2, to the brutal TCM 3, and even the sorry ass new generation, I love them all. Which is why this particular little gem appealed to me flaws and all. Just how in the hell does a family like this create itself, and how does a Thomas Hewitt aka Leatherface spew himself onto the world? Just enough questions are answered here to satisfy, yet leave some mystery.
As one might surmise, Leatherface's story is a tragic one of abandonment, redemption, humiliation, and revenge. Hooper's version of Leatherface presents a cowering, great imbecile probably unable to know between wrong or right. This version suggests otherwise. A tormented child growing into a massive tormented man punishing those who stand in his way, or more importantly those who stand in the family's way. Thomas does not handle being fired by the Slaughterhouse foreman (and the man guilty of disposing of a baby Thomas in a dumpster) well at all. I can only see how the last shred of humanity and normalcy dissipate like a flash of smoke as his whole world aka the plant is closed thus closing Thomas Hewitt, and birthing onto the world Leatherface. His great frame hobbling down the road to be picked up by the future sheriff is in my mind classic. A legend/franchise is born.
Take this beginning add in a brave Vietnam era soldier on leave, and his not so patriotic, pacifist brother, girlfriends and the plot thickens.
An awesome scene is when Ermey's character discloses the origins of the Hewitt clan's obsession with cannibalism. As a Korean Vet and more importantly a POW, Ermey survived a starvation death camp with certain alternative eating lifestyles...
Will this film go down in any history books as great? No. But if you love the series like I do, or the Horror genre for that matter, you will probably dig it just for the viewing pleasure. And for those who don't like our beloved horror films, they can take a copy of Brokeback Mountain, and stuff it up their Ass! Right Fiends??!
Let's talk Blu-Ray.
Video: 4 out of 5
This film is dark, grimy, and just plain fucking ugly. And I loved every frame of it. The blood looks almost like a black foul ichors. As the poor bastard is face scalped on the cutting table, you see the sinew, and tissue separating from skin. Outstanding.
Sound: 5 out of 5
This movie sounds absolutely sick!!! When Leatherface brains the men in the office you hear the crunch of lives being cut short. You can appreciate just how strong Leatherface is, and it brings an image to the "one hit kill" kind of power possessed by this madman.
Do yourself a favor, watch this film today. Trust me I am ze Doktor!