Friday the 13th Part VI: Jason Lives Review

Disclaimer: Contains spoilers!

Plot Summary: After Jason is resurrected through zany hijinks, he returns to the renamed Camp Crystal Lake to satiate his thirst for blood.

Review: He's back! The man behind the mask...as we finally come to my favorite entry. I know some fans feel this was the point where the franchise officially lost its way, but, seriously, would you prefer we go with the idiocy of part 5?! This installment marked a lot of firsts for the series such as the first time the film takes place at Camp Crystal Lake since the original, we finally see some little kids at camp, the only entry with no nudity, the fourth wall is broken and there are movie-related gags, and this is the beginning of zombie Jason. There is also a theme song based around the film, by Alice Cooper, in classic '80s fashion. Oh but wait, this isn't technically the '80s in the film universe now is it? We've established that part 5 was probably set in 1994, and, even though I'd say quite a few years are meant to have passed between 5 and 6, let's humor the notion that this film takes place only one year later, okay? So, best case scenario, we will put this film at 1995 which will become important since part 7 takes another huge ass jump in time.

The film begins with a third actor playing Tommy who just can't seem to escape Jason drama; Tommy is played by Thom Mathews who is easily recognized from his roles in the "Return of the Living Dead" series. Everything about part 5 is thrown out the window with little to no acknowledgement as we have no idea what became of Pam or Reggie in the same manner we never knew what became of Trish (although they claim she's dead in passing). There was going to be a plotline about Jason's dad making sure Jason was never cremated in order for him to come back, but instead there is a mere throwaway line explaining that no one saw Jason cremated; it's kind of a weak excuse, but at least it's better than creating a plot hole. Anyway, Tommy and a friend attempt to burn Jason's body, after stabbing it with a metal pole, when it's struck by lightning and Jason is resurrected similarly to Frankenstein's monster. It's so lame and over the top, but if you can get past the ease to which Jason returns, the film becomes much, much more enjoyable from then on out. Jason adorns a hockey mask that Tommy conveniently brought him after Jason disposes of the friend Tommy also brought, and, realizing that Jason is significantly stronger than he was before, Tommy runs to the police for help. Tommy is subsequently arrested for getting a little too rowdy as he tries to worn the sheriff of the Jason threat; also, the town has been renamed Forest Green to escape the memory of Jason.

Something I really love about this film is that the fodder is much more varied than the previous installments. You still have your typical teen counselors, but you have business people on some kind of team-building retreat, the cemetery caretaker, the police, and a random couple taking a nice, romantic picnic at night in the middle of the woods (because that's a good idea). Don't forget that there are still little kids to contend with even though none of them bite the big one. The characters aren't completely fleshed out, but they are likable and have some great dialogue for what it's worth; they aren't as good as the characters of part 3 or 4, but they're better than part 2 if that gives you any indication. Also, after a two film hiatus, we have a main character as Tommy finally steps up as the undeniable lead and does a good job as a guy obsessed with killing Jason; they even give Tommy a love interest in the form of the sheriff's daughter, Megan, who is '80s hot enough. This film declares Jason was always supernatural and did, in fact, die when he drowned in 1957. Tommy realizes they need to deal with Jason in a less conventional way so he devises a plan that if they trap Jason back in Crystal Lake, where he originally drowned, it should contain his spirit or whatever. With help from Megan, Tommy escapes jail, and the two proceed to gather the supplies in order to lure Jason back into the lake.

All the while Tommy and Megan run amok in town, Jason is carving out a trail of blood as he finally makes his way back to the former Camp Crystal Lake. The kills are pretty good in this entry as people are torn to pieces and the deaths are way more graphic; the police even put up a decent fight as we see how invincible Jason has become absorbing bullets. Eventually everyone is killed except Tommy, Megan, and the kids staying at the camp which was great that they took the time to make the little kids a part of the story. Tommy goes out onto the lake with a large boulder and a chain with a noose as Jason follows after-- eventually becoming ensnared by this noose. I've read others claiming this to be a plot hole as Jason should be more than strong enough to either break the chain, lift the rock, or both, but they are missing one fundamental plot point: this is supposed to be a sort of magic ritual that is binding Jason's spirit back to the lake; this is why he cannot simply break free. Besides, if you want to bitch, why not point out the fact that Jason kills a lot of people in the water, and this is an asshole that can't swim and died from drowning! If that weren't enough, Megan uses a boat propeller to slit Jason's throat after she saves Tommy from being nearly drowned by Jason. With everyone seemingly safe, Jason is shown trapped in his watery grave but still very much alive.

I can understand why people wouldn't like this film if they're fans of part 1-4 (screw part 5), but this film changes up the formula so much that you have to appreciate a little originality in a franchise simply about a guy in a hockey mask killing people. More so, this is essentially the modern image of Jason as the zombie--not wearing the sack or alive.  But other than changing things up and somewhat mocking the horror genre through little winks, nods, and nuances, there wasn't much they did wrong. The characters are cool, the deaths are among the best in the franchise, lots of interesting plot elements like the introduction of actual campers, the film is funny with many fantastic moments, and Jason's defeat felt satisfying and could have doubled for a final conclusion if needed. As someone who originally watched all these movies in no particular order over the years, this one always stood out with me and continues to be the best entry with the most positive ideas supporting it.

Notable Moment: The entire resurrection sequence is amusing in its over the top presentation, but I especially like the moment when Tommy is about to light Jason on fire and the rain puts out the match. Jason just stands there like, "What now?!"

Final Rating: 7/10