I know that I said that that part 4 had an interesting history. This one is a bit interesting as well. I’m just simply copying what I found at Wikipedia (right here)because this is good shit.
“Friday the 13th: A New Beginning was cast under a fake title, Repetition, and many of the actors in the film were not aware it was a Friday the 13th installment until after they were cast in their roles.[5] Among the unaware cast was lead actor John Shepherd, who spent several months volunteering at a state mental hospital to prepare for the role, and that he felt “really disappointed” to discover that Repetition was actually the fifth entry in the Friday the 13th series.[5] Actor Dick Wieand stated that “It wasn’t until I saw Part V that I realized what a piece of trash it was. I mean, I knew the series’ reputation, but you’re always hoping that yours is going to come out better”, and director Danny Steinmann stated that he “shot a fucking porno in the woods there. You wouldn’t believe the nudity they cut out.”
The critics mostly seemed to hate it, the director seemed to hate it, and the actors weren’t pleased either. Oh, there was also apparently a lot of hardcore drug usage. I miss the 80’s. Alright, let’s see how bad this movie is. I remember liking it until the ending and then having a “what the fuck did I just see” reaction. Then I have had that reaction at least 3 other times. It never really worked for me.
Oh man, this film is 92 minutes and 13 seconds. We get a kid in a yellow raincoat walking in the woods, and his name isn’t Georgie. It’s our old pal Tommy Jarvis at Jason’s grave. Corey Feldman recorded this on his off day while filming the Goonies and apparently filmed this in his backyard with a rain machine. Now we have 2 young men digging up the grave and howling while Tommy hides and observes. I definitely want the absolute best for these 2 young men. One is named Neil. They pry off the top. There are worms covering Jason. And Jason macheted one and stabbed the other with something and stars at Tommy. He pulls his machete out and just stares, then he slowly approaches. Tommy is shaking and panicking. There’s a scream.
Per Wikipedia, this is 5 years later that we see Tommy wake up. I’d think more like 8 years, but what do I know? Tommy is being transported by 2 dudes, one is looking at a porno mag. The Unger Institue of Mental Health is the official name. There’s the new mask with the blue and not the red. It’s a nice shade of blue, but the red will always be preferred.
We are going to Pinehurst Youth Development Center. Sounds fun! Pam Roberts greets Tommy and she is definitely dripping with 80’s hotness. She’s the one in charge. She brings him to meet Matthew Letter who is also in charge. Tommy doesn’t seem to like talking. This is a place that you go before reentering society. Tommy has a picture of his mom, sister, and dog. I liked his sister. Ohhh, Tommy’s got a big knife. I approve. He opens his closet and Reggie scares Tommy with a rubber spider. So Tommy returns the favor by turning around wearing one of his delightful masks. Reggie’s lesson has been learned. Reggie just said “Solid”. I have a favorite character.
The police show up. Some of the neighbors don’t like this camp and they found Eddie and Tina at the Hubbard’s place, and they were screwing. Oh man, Ethel and her son, Junior roll up on a bike and look filthy. She is a fucking treat, going so far as to say that she has a bomb on her. We see Vic chopping some wood. Joey wants to help Robin and Violet with laundry, but Joey is a slob and messy with his chocolate, and wants to be helpful when he’s awful. He should hang out with my buddy Russ. He gets chocolate on the sheets and they tell him to fuck off. Joey decided to go bother Vic next. Vic tells him to get lost. Joey loves it here, but Vic hates it. Vic tells him to leave him alone and Joey offers a candy bar. Vic chops it and then he chops Joey up. Vic is now my second favorite character. Joey was bond to piss off the wrong person eventually, so Vic was simply doing god’s work.
We meet Pete and his friend, their car is not working. They now split up and it’s night time. Good. I remember this scenario in the Friday the 13th video game. Unnamed guy meets up with Jason and gets a road flare in his mouth. Pete returns and tries the car, still not work…..oh it is now. Too bad Jason was in the backseat and slit your throat. Nice.
Tommy wakes up in bed with thoughts in his head and he sees Jason in the mirror, but he ain’t there. Tommy is in good shape. The captioning for this is horribly done. Reggie’s grandfather is the cook there. Now people are giving Violet shit for setting a place at the table for Vic and Joey. People are assholes. Eddie scares Tommy and thinks it is funny to be a dick. Tommy beats Eddie’s dumbass.
Ethel is cutting up a turkey or chicken. Some dude shows up at the door and wants to work for some food. She orders him to clean out the chicken coop and Junior is driving her crazy. Billy pulls in to this diner and he wants Lana to come party with him. Hold the fuck up. How is this guy getting with her? Money? Big dick? Good taste in pizza? Hello, Lana’s tits. She is a treat. Billy is getting his cocaine out and having a great time. Soooo free drugs are how he is getting her. I knew he didn’t have good taste in pizza. Lana hears some glass breaking. Jumpscare with a stupid fucking cat. Billy is growing impatient and obnoxious and gets an axe buried in his dome. Lana is out and enters Billy’s car, but he’s not there. Eh, she sees the coke, so fuck it. She also sees a bloody axe and Jason’s feet. She gets axed in the torso.
Huh, every time that we see Jason kill somebody, we end up seeing a topless Tommy Jarvis after. Is this Nightmare on Elm Street 2? Tommy “sees” Jason again. The mayor is yelling at the sheriff, and the sheriff says it must be Jason Voorhees killing these people. The mayor ain’t buying it. I don’t blame him.
Eddie wants to have a good time with Tina and she’s game. This whole chase scene is stupid as fuck, but whatever. If we see her nude, I will forgive. Time to smoke a joint and get comfy. His shirt is fucking awful, and I like pink. Ohhh, the creepy chicken coop guy is watching. Yup, she’s topless. Awww, creeper got stabbed in the belly. Jesus, she has like picture-perfect tits. Eddie needs to go clean himself up, get the stank off of him. She just relaxes in the dude and gets hedge clippers in her eyes. She had a really great role. Eddie returns to see her nice booty. He rolls her over to see her eyes. He backs up against a tree. A belt wraps around his eyes and the belt gets twisted and squeezes his head like he was the god damn Mountain. One of my all-time favorite girls and then a favorite kill within 2 minutes.
Pam is gonna take Reggie to see his brother and Matthew suggests that Tommy tag along. Tommy doesn’t want to hang out so he stays by the truck. We meet Demon, Reggie’s brother, and he is what you expect 1985 for a black dude, like to a scary degree. Demon has so much gold jewelry and a lovely lady named Anita….and an enchilada. Don’t tell me that an enchilada doesn’t sound good. SHit, he has a taco, pizza, and beer. He is truly living life to its fullest. Tommy is approached by Junior on his bike and Junior is so proud to have startled Tommy. Why does everybody keep poking Tommy in the chest? Junior starts a fight that Tommy finishes with ease, in the silliest way possible. This movie…I get the reviews. Pam tells Reggie that they have to leave.
Demon’s stomach just had a bad time thanks to those enchiladas, so he makes a run to the outhouse. Someone starts shaking it. That ain’t cool…Anita. Why do bitches always gotta talk to a man when he’s in the bathroom? That is such a huge pet peeve of mine. Now they are singing together until Anita isn’t singing anymore. The outhouse is a rocking. Demon is superfly pissed now, and see Anita is dead. There is a spear just coming in the outhouse walls. And he keeps screaming so he gets it in the torso. Matt and George are missing as Pam and Reggie return. Wasn’t Tommy with Pam when they left? The fuck kinda lazy ass writing is this? Also, Jake is the guy with the stuttering issue. I had to clear that up.
Pam means business, with her sweater arms tied and draped over her shoulders. I bet that keeps her really warm. Junior is going apeshit on his bike, just screaming and making so much noise and Ethel is pissed and making dinner. Junior is screaming and now decapitated. Ethel is just happy that he shut up. She gets a cleaver to the head, squishes a tomato. I hate tomatoes. Pam’s truck stops working, so she walks.
Jake and Robin are watching a movie together. Jake is gonna make a move, and she just shushes him. He still wants to make a move though. Jake has said too much and she just laughs at him. What a bitch. Rape her then kill her then rape her again, Jake. Poor Jake is severely distraught. He seeks comfort from Violet. She doesn’t want to be bothered as she is rocking out in her room. Jake just met Mr. Cleaver. Robin’s hair is terrible. She goes up to her room and she is now topless and she has nice small boobs, but he terrible hair is making me not care. Also, she has terrible 80’s panties. I forgave Tina, I’m not forgiving Robin. She gets in bed, sees a dead Jake, and then gets machete’d through the mattress while getting choked.
I still have no clue what the fuck Violet is doing. I’d like to see her topless though. Her dancing is terrible. Apparently she is listening to Pseudo Echo performing “His Eyes”. Not quite Alice Cooper. She gets choked and stabbed in the torso. Shame, she had a nice body and probably wearing terrible 80’s panties. Reggie wakes up and heads upstairs. He checks to see if Tommy returned only to find the 3 dead bodies. Pam then startles him. Pam with wet hair, it’s a nice look for her.
Time run, but Reggie trips. There’s “Jason” looking too skinny with the blue on his mask. Reggie and Pam run into the woods and the music has picked up. Should find Matthew or Grandpa soon, right? Seriously, I am asking you, the reader. They come across the paramedics and one is dead and there’s Jason on the other side of the vehicle. Seems legit. Reggie has hauled ass away from Pam. Pam is due to stumble…..hahaha, as I write it. Fanfuckingtastic. She finds Matthew with a spike in his forehead. Pam is inside in her wet white shirt, looking tremendous and gramps just got tossed in through the window. Pam trips and falls and is soaked now. Jason approached and she is just panic crawling and flailing. Reggie breaks through the garage door driving the bulldozer and rams Jason.
Reggie’s outfit is fantastic too. Jason rises and grabs Reggie’s leg. Time to run into the garage or barn or whatever the hell that is. “Jason” is up and walking. This is definitely a barn. Jason hears a noise, opens a door and Pam comes out wielding a chainsaw and cuts Jason’s left arm. Then it stops working. She has some shit luck. She hucks the chainsaw at Jason. Reggie sees Tommy and Jason approaches Tommy. You thought it was Tommy as Jason, all along, didn’t you? Pam and Reggie are screaming Tommy’s name. Jason slashes Tommy. Tommy pulls out his knife and gets Jason in the inner thigh.
Tommy climbs up to be with Pam and Reg. Jason starts the ascent. Jason finds an unconscious Tommy, but no Pam or Reg. It’s a trap, Jason!!! There’s Reggie distracting Jason. Pam with a blunt object. There are spikes below them and Reg shoves Jason out the window. They don’t see him. Jason was hanging on. He grabs Reg by the leg. It’s a test of wills now. Pam is trying. Oh Tommy is stirring and he gets up with the machete. He cuts Jason’s hand and Jason plummets to the spikes. We see the mask off and is that the other paramedic, Roy?
At the hospital, Pam and Reg are there, some nurse named Kate. There’s the sheriff. He found Roy’s wallet and apparently Joey was his son. He had kept it hidden. He also had a lot of newspaper clippings about Jason. Pam goes to visit Tommy in his hospital room. Tommy akes up and grabs a machete and stabs Pam in the gut. He then wakes up breathing heavy, sweating, but he is not shirtless. So there’s that. He lays back to relax. He wakes up to see Jason at the foot of his bed. They stare at each other, lovingly, no doubt. Tommy rips out his IV and gets up. He pulls out a drawer that has his pants and the blue Jason mask. Pam is on her way to his room. She hears a crash and his window is smashed open. Behind her is Tommy in the mask wielding a knife.
End FIlm
God damnit, what a clusterfuck for storytelling. I feel bad for everybody involved. I don’t have a true explanation for this. Are we just going with the idea that Roy got so upset over his unwanted son’s murder that he got himself in really good shape instantly and started being Jason? Are we supposed to believe that because Tommy faced his fears, that he now wants to become that which he hates and feared? That is terrible and you know it.
I would like to think that this somehow ties into Jason kinda swapping people as he did in Jason Goes To Hell, and mayhaps this is the film that inspired it. I mean, it wasn’t a great idea, but I prefer to think that somehow this was the case.
Aside from 2 kills, Eddie and Tina’s, most of these were incredibly boring, uninspired, been there done that got the T-shirt type of nonsense. By part 5, we shouldn’t be reverting to a lot of the same garbage. The acting was as good as it was going to get given how limited most of the roles were, but I thought Pam and Reggie shined brightest and had 2 of the biggest roles. But these films are rarely regarded for performances, it’s about kills, uniqueness, watchability, and tits. It did have tits, and it did have the most kills out of the original 8 films. Still, this was bad. This has to be one of, if not the worse Friday the 13th film. As a kid, I loved it for all of the right reasons that a young guy would. Now, it is just dumb most of the time.
A lot of kills are great, but too many characters had like 2 minutes of character development and then died. That’s how you know that you have too many kills in a film. This is usually where Nightmare on Elm Street destroyed these films. You had a connection to most of the characters that died, or at least you got to know a bit about them, and the setups and kills were unique. Fortunately, this was a commercial success and they continued on with the franchise, but this one should simply be forgotten about.
Rating: 5.1 Too many issues and yet I have seen it too many times to go below a 5. As I said in the beginning, everybody involved with it knew it was shit and it was shit.
All the pictures used in this blog are for review purposes. They are the property of:
Please go find a copy and support the creators.