Friday the 13th: One Update to Hack Them All!
Posted by Robert Fure (robert@filmschoolrejects.com) on June 13, 2008
Of course with today being Friday the 13th, the boys over at Platinum Dunes decided to release some goodies to all us movie nuts awaiting the “re-imagined” version of Friday the 13th. The film series is instantly recognizable to just about anyone on the planet, with Jason Voorhees, the Iconic slasher of Iconic slashers, poised above deviant teenagers, deformed face covered by a hockey mask, bloodied machete at the ready. Hell yeah!
First up: The Mask! Whenever someone starts messing around with some classic designs and films, a shiver of worry is present that they’re going to mess with something good in a bad way. But lay your fears to rest, my Friday Fans, as the mask stays very close to the designs we’ve seen in the past. In fact, if you laid it out with the masks from all of Jason’s other appearances, I’m not sure I’d be able to pick it out of a line-up. I’m excited that they’re staying close to the source on this important aspect.
Next up: Camp Crystal Lake! Sort of. What we get is our first look at the sign for the camp, which keeps its retro cool look and it also appears to be a near carbon clone of some of the signs we’ve seen before. While not all that exciting, it’s another good indication that this re-imagining will remain true to our memories, which is a big deal for me and a lot of other fans. This sign looks well-worn and is generally kind of creepy. Daddy like.
Finally: a tiny behind the scenes clip. Coming from an MTV set visit, the scene doesn’t really show us much other than cutie Amanda Righetti scampering through a creepy forest set, past some familiar looking and dilapidated cabins. Good news to me. Oh, and in a bit of a fun coincidence, Friday, June 13th, marks the last day of shooting for the Friday the 13th, and the shooting schedule includes spilling some blood. I love it. Producer Brad Fuller also recently mentioned that the movie will feature smoking, drinking, and sexing, as well as a double digit body count with a menagerie of slaughters.
So while we only get a few little things here, I take them all as good signs. It really seems to indicate that they’re not trying to reinvent, possibly not even really re-imagine, Friday the 13th, rather, just sort of reboot him a touch. The mood and look of everything seems nice and familiar. I’m letting my hopes raise up a bit on this one. I have enjoyed what Platinum Dunes has done in the past, notably the Texas Chainsaw Massacre remake, which I thought was bloody and awesome. Awesome. Platinum Dunes. Michael Bay producing. Yeah.
Friday the 13th is being directed by Marcus Nispel (who did the above mentioned TCM remake) and will come out on, no joke, Friday the 13th, February, 2009. Stay tuned for more bloody good updates. Oh, and if you have any doubts about seeing this when the time comes, Jared Padecki gets his face smashed through glass. I’m in.
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