On a budget of $1.25 million, Friday the 13th Part 2 grossed $21.7 million in the US. As you’d expect, critics were none too kind towards the movie, with Roger Ebert giving it 1/2 a star. While not as big a hit as the original, Paramount still decided to move ahead with another sequel. Steve Miner returned to direct and offered an idea to make this entry stand out: shoot it in 3D. In the early 1980s, there was a mini-revival of 3D movies thanks to the success of Comin’ at Ya! Because of the new technology, filming was more complicated, with setups taking hours and actors having to perform multiple takes. To accommodate for theaters that couldn’t show 3D movies, Paramount spent an extra $2 million on a 3D conversion. Despite these setbacks, Friday the 13th Part 3 slashed onto screens on Friday, August 13, 1982.
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Synopsis
Chris Higgins (Dana Kimmell) and her friends are going on a weekend trip to her old home, Higgins Haven. Joining her are Debbie (Tracie Savage), Andy (Jeffrey Rogers), Shelley (Larry Zerner), Vera (Catherine Parks), and Rick (Paul Kratka). Unbeknownst to them, Jason Voorhees (Richard Brooker) hides in a nearby barn, having survived the last film. At first, Jason kills a gang – Ali (Nick Savage), Fox (Gloria Charles), and Loco (Kevin O’Brien) – when they break inside. Before too long, Jason makes his way to Higgins Haven and starts picking everyone off one by one. At one point, Chris reveals to Rick that she came back to confront her fears after a traumatic experience. As the bodies keep piling up, it’s up to Chris to fight off Jason and try to survive the night. Will she be able to fend him off, or will she be Jason’s next victim?
Review
On its own, Friday the 13th Part 3 is a fairly standard slasher film, but that’s not bad. The film gives you what you want in a slasher: likable characters, gruesome kills, and a basic story. What makes this stand out is its use of 3D, namely the old-school gimmick of throwing stuff at the screen. They throw popcorn, yo-yos, eyeballs, harpoons, pitchforks, marijuana cigarettes, and baseball bats toward the camera, which adds to the fun. Just seeing how far they go to justify the 3D cameras adds to the charm. Admittedly, you won’t get the same experience without a 3D setup, but it’s still fun to see in 2D. Unfortunately, the 3D is the only thing this movie has going for, but it has plenty to offer. Just don’t go in expecting anything new and groundbreaking in this entry.
Like the first two movies, this one has some fun, likable characters that you feel bad for when they die. Though not as memorable as Adrienne King or Amy Steel, Dana Kimmell still makes for a good final girl. She has a warm, innocent charm that makes it more impactful when she goes toe-to-toe with Jason. Larry Zerner steals the show as the loveable prankster Shelley, who feels he has to scare people for their attention. He’s also notable for providing Jason with his iconic hockey mask, replacing the flour sack from the last film. Speaking of Jason, Richard Brooker does an excellent job giving Jason an imposing presence and making him more threatening. The cherry on top of the sundae is the music, particularly the theme song, easily the most memorable. Overall, Friday the 13th Part 3 is pretty basic, but the 3D makes it more enjoyable.
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