Title: Friday the 13th Part 3
Director: Steve Miner
Writer: Martin Kitrosser, Carol Watson
Release Date: August 13th, 1982
Cast: Dana Kimmell, Paul Kratka, Tracie Savage, Larry Zerner, Catherine Parks.
Friday the 13th Part 3 Cliff’s Notes
The day after Part 2, Jason continues his rampage – this time in 3D – while picking up a hockey mask. Ch-ch-ch Ah-ah-ah happens again. It’s about like the last one.
Lecture
Originally released in 3D, Friday the 13th Part 3 moves away from camp and spends the majority of its time at a house party – a trend that will show up time and time again for the rest of the series – where we get plenty of drinking and debauchery. Luckily, Jason Voorhees is around to keep these troublemakers in line.
Alas, there’s little original here. We’ve seen a lot of this already – and let’s be honest, it was better in Parts 1 and 2 – but there’s enough to enjoy to keep the viewer engaged. Some of the actors are solid, which helps lift the connect-the-dots script out of the muck, and the gore is, once again, top notch. Even as the story starts to circle the drain, the effects keep the F13 series afloat and here is no exception. Likewise, some of the kills are well executed – I still dig the handstand guy – and with the lack of character development, watching these folks not make it is great.
The problem is really with the directing and script. We’ve got nothing new beyond the hockey mask and seem to recycle pieces over and over again. It’s no surprise that the parts of this flick that work the best involve the groups that dedicated the most time and energy to their outcome. The effects look great. The script looks like swish cheese. On top of it all, Miner doesn’t seem to do the flick any favors. Ho-hum.
Acting
I
t’s a pretty mixed bag here. Kimmell and Savage are alright, while Parks shines a bit more than the others. Zerner easily has the hardest character to pull off – the guy is terribly written and obnoxious, so the fact that Shelly makes a lasting impression is actually pretty nice. Kratka is, unfortunately, not made for this kind of role. He’s not helped by the script – or his costume for that matter – but fact of the matter is the guy comes off as whiney and watching him fade out is fantastic.
Directing
Miner is really hit or miss. He builds occasional tension, and some of the imagery is nice, but he also relies way too much on point and shoot to get through the first two acts. Furthermore, there seems to be a number of moments that don’t have enough footage. The first bit is desperately attached to add time; likewise, Friday the 13th Part 3 includes literally the worst flashback in the series. Come on!
Script
The structure is all over the place, which doesn’t help. The first two really used their set up/pay off to drive the flick forward. Here, we stop and start so many times that by the time we get going, the flick feels half over. Likewise, the dialogue and characterization leave a lot to be desired.
Effects
Gore for the win! Impalings, stabbings, slicing and dicing. All of it well-crafted and looking like a million bucks. Likewise, the make-up effects are top notch. The look we get from Mr. Voorhees alone is worth the rental fee.
Highlights
Beyond the gore and actors, I really dug the last five minutes of this puppy. The imagery steps it up and we finally get some of the tension/technique that the first two thrived on.
Lowlights
This movie gives off a really distasteful vibe with the bikers. Talk about stereotypes and short changing expectations for easy choices.
Friday the 13th-iness
Finally, we’ve hit F13 levels! There’s stalking and killing and dumb teens (in their 20s) and hockey masks! Finally, we’ve made it!
Final Thoughts
The series is in need of some kind of energy injection. This puppy is getting tired fast. Luckily, there’s a little awesome to keep us interested. Unluckily, most of the flick feels tired.
Grade: C
What are your thoughts on Friday the 13th Part 3? Does it deserve a C rating? Let us know in the comments below.
Also be sure to check out my previous reviews of Friday the 13th and Friday the 13th Part 2.