Jason Goes to Hell: The Final Friday

release year: 1993
genre: horror
viewing setting: home Bluray 12/25/22 and home DVD 12/19/02

synopsis: Since homicidal maniac Jason Voorhees can't die, he finds a way to embark upon yet another murder spree.

impressions: This is one of those that completely ignores the preceding installment's ending (not that said ending made any sense.) The writers introduce some kind of evil magic subplot to the series, something fairly stupid involving family members and a magic dagger. I suspect that this was just an excuse to allow cheaper filming costs, but who the hell knows. Some elements of note: hot FBI agent...a planned ambush on Jason...Jason detonation...a stupid coroner...Jason hopping bodies via transfer of a small slug-like creature...stupid campers...a guy climbing a jungle gym to escape but then having Jason turn it over...a special cameo at the end.

body count: 22 confirmed (assuming that anyone manhandled by Jason was slain)

notable kills: rail spike impalement/ripping, drowning in deep fryer

acting: Kane Hodder takes his third turn as Jason, and again brings consistency to the villain's body language. Kari Keegan is an unwitting relative of Jason who becomes his new objective. John LeMay is her ex, who gets involved and helps out. Erin Gray is her mother, who doesn't last long. Steven Williams is a bounty hunter who's too over-the-top and weird to be that cool. Julie Michaels (who was also the bad guy's kept woman in Road House) is the hot FBI agent at the beginning.

final word: For fans of the series only - to anyone else, this movie won't make much sense.

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