Review of Freddy vs. Jason (2003)

People Die... Legends... Live Forever!

Who else but me would be more than willing to wait 10 plus years for a movie to be made? Well, everybody when they don't have a choice. But who's to say that the other people were even waiting. Most think, "Oh well," and forget about it once a movie's mentioned up until release. Not me. I waited. I waited a long time. I mentioned it to people and they kind of laughed it off. But not me. I took it serious. I thought about the possibilities of this movie. And I waited. I waited and finally the day arrived. So much hype from the media. So much hype in my head.

Did it deliver? Oh man...did it ever.

Okay, let's face it. This is "A Nightmare on Elm Street Part 8"...and "Friday the 13th Part 11". But man...this one actually has something going for it. It's two in one. It's the most originality the series has ever shown. Freddy is powerless from the start. He brainwashes Jason using a MOST EXCELLENT technique and Jason leaves his old stomping ground to take care of Elm Street and bring fear back to the place so Freddy can regain power. Sometimes the movie feels like a Friday the 13th film. I admit that though it does lean more towards a "Nightmare" flick, Jason is a very important element in this movie. It was pulled off really well storyline-wise as far as how Freddy manipulates Jason. Some of the ways the kids in the film come up with attempting to stop these two are kind of ridiculous, but this is Freddy vs. Jason so it probably won't be nominated for an Oscar anyway. It does an excellent job at tying in their back stories and adding to them but where does the story lie? In the fight that's where! This is the best fight I have ever witnessed in cinema history. I am being totally honest, though I may be partial since I love these two characters. This brawl is worth the price of admission twice. Lots of mindgames are played and lots and lots of brutality ensues.

Some of the "teens" (or twenty something's playing teens) weren't so great. Kelly Rowland (of Destiny's Child fame) isn't a superb actress but usually most singing stars don't do so well - not terrible, for her first movie but I'm not a fan either. A few of the "teens" do okay. Jason Ritter and Monica Keena are believable as Will and Lori. Ken Kirzinger takes over the reigns of previous Jason Kane Hodder and does a terrific job, but it doesn't take much talent to play Jason. Robert Englund totally shines as Freddy. He IS this character. He is so frigging evil that you just have to smile when he is up to something. My kind of character

Ronnie Yu reinvigorated these two characters like never before. Some of the scenes were totally breathtaking. The fight sways back and forth and the direction forces you to get right into it. The crowd clapped, cheered and it was unlike any movie going experience I have been to. I credit this to Mr. Yu. He may have outdone himself.

I don't think I could have been let down by this movie, but I'm not afraid to admit that even I was surprised at how good it was. You could tell that the crowd was a mix of horror and non-horror fans, but everyone was having an awesome time. Nobody was talking down to the film during either of the viewings I attended. Everyone got into the movie and it was great. I had a blast and was sucked in during the entire movie...and once the brawl began, I had to get on the edge of my chair. It was an adrenaline rush, to say the least, to see two of my favorite cinematic icons going toe to toe. It's an exciting flick.

If you like horror SEE IT...if you don't like horror but like a lot of action...SEE IT. It's also got a few humorous moments that will play out well to the comedy crowd. I don't think I have to even say it but I will...I love this movie. SEE IT!