Friday the 13th - Part 5: A New Beginning (DVD, 2009, Deluxe Edition; Sensormatic)

I came to defend the fifth Friday film because it's really not as bad as most claim it is. In fact I tend to consider it one of my favourite Friday The 13th films. I think many are aware that in this one Jason Vorhees is not the one committing the murders but rather a copycat killer. This is interesting because it's only the second and final time that Jason isn't the one doing all the work, with the other of course being the original Friday which had Mrs. Vorhees in action. The first film was iconic and became a classic of horror cinema even with a multitude of sequels. Part V continued the series even thought Part IV: The Final Chapter was supposed to bring closure (so much for that huh? I guess when something is profitable) to the franchise. I think the idea that someone picked up the Jason mantle and continued the work was a good one at the time and it kept this fresh and it did indeed bring a new chapter in the series which I thought worked well. The title ''A New Beginning" was supposed to be just that, new beginning for this series.

Although not great actors by any stretch I found the cast likeable for the most part in this one and there is even a real ''Vorhees'' in this one: Debisue Vorhees! The story was constructed in a way that makes you understand how a person can lose it and become a murderer. It has a different setting also, it's not camp Crystal Lake, it's isolated yet all the teenagers are together in a youth development centre for troubled teens that helps rehabilitate them, making this an easy playground for the killer.

It's by no means perfect or the best Friday The 13th movie, but I think it's been getting unfair treatment by fans who obviously seem betrayed by the fact that Jason is not the villain in this one. Objectively I think it's a good Friday and it deserves a chance but some just can't get over the copycat killer. I thought the story was well executed and the killer in this one had good motive and the kills were well constructed around it. I get that the ending is disappointing considering how the next film, Part VI: Jason Lives nullifies Part V and renders it obsolete as if it was a chapter in the series that never happened and send the new murderer concept to the garbage. That's the main flaw with Part V; the fact that it has nowhere to go in the series' timeline and that it can be considered a ''dream'' and nothing more. Overall it's an enjoyable Friday and a good story with likeable characters. 3.5 out of 5, not a benchmark, not a high point for the series but truly not bad for what it is.

For the last week i've been watching a film fest on pay tv here in Canada of "the Friday the 13th movie" series,the worst of the lot would be "jason goes to hell".When it comes to "friday the 13th a new beginning" there is real strong competition which is the worst.The movie is silly and very tedious,much more like "a comedy thriller/tv movie of the week" than a serious horror film,i would have to say,the movie is about as errie and serious as "the munsters".The Idea of the movie was good,different with twists and turns with the repercussions of being the victim of an "Evil Entity" like Jason,but the movie really suffered in places,one particular place that comes to mind is the acting,it really might of worked differently with better actors,especially the "supposed" older lady who was trying to be hilarious but who was more like a no talent much too over the top with trying to be funny.The gore is still here but not to the point of the "gorror" movies of the new millennium.The Friday the 13th series picked up much better after this failer of a movie but were never as exciting and eerie as the first couple of chapters,this "new beginning" desperately needs a BRAND NEW DIRECTORS CUT and remaster.

Part 5 easily earns spot #2 in the worst of the Friday series (2nd only to Jason X). I found it to be bland, boring and it didn't really add anything new to the mythology. I'd say it's safe to skip this one over unless you are a completist.