Tcm review

Ahhh, the original Texas Chainsaw Massacre. My favorite movie ever, even to this day, five years or so after I've seen it. I was expecting a crappy horror flick worthy of an MST-ing, but oh was I surprised. While this movie scared the crap out of my mom, I was enthralled from beginning to end. Perhaps I'm a bit biased, but TCM has since introduced me to Freddy Krueger, Jason Voorhees, Michael Myers and Pinhead, all of which I would never have given a second look had I not seen this awesome fucking movie. So it's mostly nostalgia that gives me my love for this movie, but every time I rewatch it, it never fails to disappoint me.

TCM is one of those rare movies that comes along every 30 years or so and completely redefines a genre. There's a reason it's one of the most influential horror movies of all time, and it continues to top lists of "Scariest Movies Ever." I think one of the main reasons I love this movie so much is that it doesn't even seem like a movie; rather, it seems like someone was just filming the day these people died. It all seems so real and unstaged, and just brilliant. It's so incredibly dark, raw and gritty, but it wouldn't work any other way. Everything is beautifully shot, and the pacing is good. I don't think there's any moments where the movie drags. Everything shown and said seems to have a purpose, whether it be foreshadowing or subtle nudges to things not everyone picks up on the first time around (like the part where Franklin eats the barbeque and grimaces a bit, as if it tastes funny or something's in there that shouldn't be).

The opening is so creepy and unsettling, and the camera noise is AMAZING. I get chills every time I hear it, even though it's just a tuning fork being struck and then scraped against a piano wire. It's one of those creepy sounds that make you go "Oh shit, I'm in for a ride." The first time I heard it, I got goosebumps and then had them for the rest of the movie. XD The fake radio spots being played against the weird music while the camera pans out is just so wonderfully done. It's almost like the sound doesn't register in your ears and all your senses perceive is the image of the corpse in the sunset. AMAZING imagery, this movie.

So now we get to the acting. Sally (Marilyn Burns) is just GORGEOUS and AMAZING in this movie, seriously. She has a nice, unique look to her that suits her for the role of the main heroine. You really end up rooting for her, something not many horror movie heroines have going for them. Franklin (Paul Partain) is hilarious. I remember the first time I saw this movie, I hated him and thought he was annoying, but the past few times I've rewatched it, I ended up really liking the poor guy. ; O; The other three teens aren't all that memorable, and Kirk is kind of a dick. Leatherface (Gunnar Hansen) is SCARY in this movie! Oh my GOD, after I saw this movie the first time, I was afraid to take a shower, because I thought he was gonna come out of the drain! XD You never see that much of him, but when you do, he doesn't disappoint. He is scary as fuck. The Hitchhiker (Edwin Neal), well, two words: CREEPY and HAWT. He creeped me out the first time I watched it, and he still does, but now he's kind of hot in a weird way. XD I will not forgive Tobe Hooper for what he did with the Hitchhiker's character at the end! D< The Cook (Jim Siedow) is amazing here; he plays the role of an insane family ringleader PERFECTLY. In all honesty, now that I rewatch it, the Cook is actually scarier than Leatherface, especially since he knocks Leatherface and the Hitchhiker around and verbally bitchslaps them. This guy owns.

Contrary to the title, there really isn't that much gore in this movie, especially comparing it to movies now. There are only about two really bloody scenes I can think of, and they're not really that bad. The real horror of this movie is the mindfuck it gives you, relying on very little blood and instead your imagination to create the images.

I don't want to give too much away since this is a movie you really need to see for yourself to truly experience. I think everyone should see this, especially if you like horror movies. What are you waiting for? GO DOWNLOAD/RENT/BUY/WATCH IT NAOW! D<