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FRIDAY THE 13TH PART VII: THE NEW BLOOD (Paramount, DVD) Head Count: Tag-line: None here. Perhaps Paramount can't be bothered to dig them out. Death Toll: Sixteen people. Guess who kills them? Cutting Remarks: You can criticise '... The New Blood' all you like, but it will always have a special place in Slasherama's black heart. This is, to use 'Friends' terminology, The One Where Jason Fights Telekinetic Girl. And what a showdown it is.          There are many reasons why the seventh 'Friday...' sequel is a superior installment. For one thing, Jason has the best look of the entire series. Having risen from his chained position at the bottom of Crystal Lake, he not only looks water-logged and rotten, but really has a supernatural air about him. Around the time of the movie's release, director John Carl Buechler described Jason as "a meat cyborg".          The paranormal aspects at work here really elevate the movie. Rather than a hands-on showdown between the Carrie-esque Tina Shepherd and Voorhees, we get a series of events in which she levitates objects and shifts obstacles into Jason's path. His reactions to this are entertaining. And let's not forget that this was Kane Hodder's first foray as Jason. He turns in as fine a performance as you can manage when you're basically emoting hatred and evil. Those rising and falling shoulders are a nice touch. Finally, Jason has a personality... of sorts.          Story-wise, and acting-wise, there's nothing particularly special going on here, but this is a 'Friday The 13th' movie! On that level, despite the movie's self-censorship to appease the MPAA, '... The New Blood' delivers, as Jason hacks his way through the cast. While the killing themselves may not be amazingly gory, they remain extremely violent and are shot well.          The ending certainly leaves a little to be desired, but once you set Jason up as virtually indestructible, you paint yourself into a corner as to how to finally 'kill' or incapacitate him. At least the makers of this movie didn't opt for toxic waste. See Part Eight... Most Memorable Demise: There are many here. For sheer surrealism, the party horn in the eye gets top honours. It also makes you wince. Look Out For: Jason's face! An excellent face it is too, stupidly ignored in the subsequent sequels. Killer Quote: "What about 'Star Mummy'?" - the movie's obligatory comedy geek, Eddie, suggests yet another sci-fi movie script title. DVD Details: Once again, every expense has been spared. You get nothing extra whatsoever. Still, '... The New Blood' plays great in Widescreen and Ultra Stereo. Release Date: Out now. [Check it out at Amazon US] [Check it out at Amazon UK] [This movie is now also available as part of the Friday The 13th box-set - check it out at Amazon US] [Reviews Menu] [Home] © Copyright Slasherama 2002-present