Plot: What’s it about?
He has been electrocuted, blown to pieces, burned alive, hanged, and tortured, but Jason Vorhees (Kane Hodder) simply refuses to perish. As such, he is now held under intense guard and locked up, while the government tries to solve the unique situation. He is to be frozen in a cryogenic chamber, where he will remain until a solution is created and of course, this means the world is safe from his sadistic ways. But when the military tries to take Jason for research, the madman gets loose and slaughters the soldiers, then charges after a lab assistant, Rowan (Lexa Doig). She is able to trap Jason inside the chamber however, though he stabs her through the door and in the process, freezes her as well. After hundreds of years pass, a group of students happen upon the bodies and soon enough, they manage to bring them back to life. While Rowan tries to warn them about Jason’s past, the group’s leader sees potential monetary gains and ignores her pleas. Now Jason stalks the ship and one by one, begins to slaughter those on board. Can anyone manage to stop Jason’s wrath, or will he continue his murderous ways even in the distant future?
After nine volumes of Jason Vorhees and his machete, it was obvious this planet couldn’t handle another installment, so of course, producers looked elsewhere. Now in what has to be a hilarious turn of events, Jason winds up in space and while the premise seems (and is) lame as hell, the movie is loads of fun to watch. The acting is dismal, the writing is weak, and there’s no real tension or atmosphere, but Jason is a blast and that’s often enough. Add in some wicked kill scenes, plenty of the red stuff, a couple topless girls, and some highly memorable sequences, and we’ve got more than enough for Jason X to stand tall in this series. The virtual Camp Crystal Lake is pure genius and if you ask me, well worth the price of admission alone, especially for those of us who have been with the series from the start. This volume breaks a few rules here and there, throws logic to the wind, and all the other usual horror mistakes, but come on, Jason kicks ass and takes names, which is what Friday the 13th is all about. I recommend this to horror fans of all kinds, especially those who love some laughs mixed in with the gore.
While a lot of elements are new in this tenth picture, Jason himself is the same as usual, with Kane Hodder behind the hockey mask. As we all know, Hodder has been working in the series since the seventh movie and he has really done some good work, even though his character never talks or does much besides slash & hack. Even so, Hodder brings a strong presence to Jason and when he’s behind the mask, the character always seems creepier. He’s even developed some cool trademarks, which you can learn about in the included The Many Lives of Jason Vorhees featurette. Hodder works as a stuntman in other movies, but since he’s done such a terrific job with Jason, let’s hope he returns if Jason does. You can also see Hodder in such films as House II, Best of the Best, Scanner Cop II, Wishmaster, and Pumpkinhead II. The cast also includes Lexa Doig (The Tracker, Tv’s Andromeda), Lisa Ryder (Stolen Heart, Tv’s Andromeda), and Melyssa Ade (Evidence of Blood, Visitors of the Night).
Video: How does it look?
Jason X is presented in a 1.78:1 anamorphic widescreen transfer. A much discussed “digital to digital” presentation, this transfer more than lives up to the hype, especially since the movie is a low budget horror picture. As a direct from digital treatment, the image is sharp and as clean as can be, with defects or imperfections to discuss, this is because no print is involved and hence, no print flaws to be found. The colors come across in vivid fashion, with no errors to mention, while flesh tones are consistent as well. I have no bones to pick with contrast either, as I found black levels to be highly impressive throughout. A few small hiccups keep this from being reference, but man, this is one awesome visual presentation, without question.
Audio: How does it sound?
Just as they did with Jason Goes to Hell, New Line has slapped on dual 5.1 soundtracks, with both Dolby Digital & DTS options available. Unlike that release however, the audio here is superb and takes full advantage of the added potential. I found the DTS option to be the better of the tracks, with tighter overall presence and cleaner, crisper bass, but both offer a terrific experience. The surrounds are alive from start to finish here, with lots of outer space background fodder, as well as the eerie music and of course, Jason’s murders to spark up the speakers. I never had any trouble with dialogue here, with vocals coming through in solid form at all times. This disc also includes a 2.0 surround option, as well as English subtitles.
Supplements: What are the extras?
This Platinum Series release isn’t as loaded as I had hoped, but it does have some solid extras, including an audio commentary session. The track features director Jim Isaac, writer Todd Farmer, and producer Noel Cunningham, who provide a decent enough session, though its too serious for my tastes. I expected a fun, laid back track, but Isaac seems to think he’s directed Citizen Kane, as opposed to a mindless, but fun gore picture. Next is The Many Lives of Jason Voorhees, a half hour featurette that houses a host of interviews, as various industry folk & fans discuss the evolution of the Friday the 13th movies. This is a fun piece, with guys like Joe Bob Briggs, Kane Hodder, Tony Timpone, and even New Line CEO Robert Shaye, plus a host of others, all of whom have a lot to say about Jason’s legacy on the screen. A second featurette focuses on the making of Jason X, but looks too much at the digital to digital process, which means real behind the scenes stuff is rare here. This disc also includes the film’s theatrical trailer.
