cwjack-1

This is the cinematic equivalent of a vaudeville sideshow performed by freaks accompanied by one of the best 80's soundtracks ever assembled (concrete blonde, cramps, stewart copeland, oingo boingo). Originally when I saw this film I hated it. I thought it was the worst movie I had ever seen. But over the years I kept coming back to it. There's something captivating about all that mayhem and outrageousness. Everything but the violence is played up for laughs particularly Bill Moesley's over the top portrayal of Chop-Top, Leatherface's brother. Speaking of, Leatherface's character has undergone a serious transformation from the sexually confused transvestite cannibal from the original to a sex crazed teenager embarrassed about his weirdo family and fixating on Caroline Williams's DJ heroine character. Tom Savini's make-up also deserves special mention as does the state of the art production design. Kudos to Tobe for refusing to repeat the formula and Paley it safe with a tiresome retread like the following sequels became. This is one original blast of serious cult potential. Time will ultimately tell.

As direct to video horror flicks go, there have been much worse. Hell there has been worse in the theatres. So if after reading the DVD box description or seeing that cover and you're expecting something greater that this, whatever. Playing against type for a change, Englund plays the minor role of the Sheriff who has a grudge against the "Heartstopping" psychopath stalking the hospital in the picture. The biblical spouting psycho is pretty amusing in a total cornball sort of way and there is the barest minimum of tension developed throughout. Englund's good for the record but the movie is simply what it is: A cheesy horror film.