I just recently discovered this amazing series of films and I’m in love. These are by far my new favorite slasher franchise, and that’s a pretty big deal for me to say. Each movie captures everything that is great about classic American slasher films; from the blood to the cheesy acting, it’s all so great.
The majority of this series takes place in the Honey Island Swamps, and just reinforces my complete lack of desire to ever go camping, or to go out into the wilderness at all. I will, however, go to New Orleans someday.
There are quite a few familiar faces throughout this series and I will note the majority of them as I go. Kane Hodder (my buddy!!) is a huge inspiration to me, and I’m a huge fan of his. (okay okay more like mildly obsessed, but that’s not the point) Fun fact: Kane had to sit through 3-4 hours of makeup to become Victor Crowley. John Carl Beichler (Jack Cracker) did all the effects for the films. I was fortunate enough to hang out with both Kane and John a few weeks ago, and hear all kinds of stories about the films.
Okay so time to break this down one movie at a time, before my brain explodes.
1
“Who wants to be in the Halloween video?”
I love that this one starts out with a Robert Englund cameo. This is the first of many awesome cameos throughout the whole series. The next awesome cameo is Tony Todd, who’s voice totally creeps me out. (Someone find me a Reverend Zombie shirt please!!)
This movie doesn’t have a ton of jump scares, and most of the ones it does have are totally unrelated to the story. (Damn Raccoons) This also ties in with another thing I love about this film: the touches of comedy. Deon Richmond (Marcus) is to thank for most of them. He had me cracking up. Joel David Moore (aka that one guy from Grandma’s Boy) is another funny one. (Someone needs to put him in more movies damn it!) That poor guy got way to many of Victor Crowley’s bodily fluids spit/drooled in his face.
It’s pretty clear from the get go that Marybeth is a total badass, and just a little bit nuts. ( Like me!) She is definitely the “survivor girl” of the series. (Leslie Vernon references make me smile) And speaking of badass, the kills in this movie are brutal! There’s an insane amount of blood throughout the whole series. My favorite kill in this movie had to be Marcus. It was almost reminiscent of the infamous Jason Voorhees “sleeping bag” kill. (Jason is also played by Kane Hodder in that film) The belt sander to the face was another favorite. (Ouch…)
2
Marybeth, those swamp gasses really did a number on you, you look totally different. Oh, wait, new actress! My bad! (Yay Danielle Harris!) Carry on…
Story time with Jack Cracker! (Just don’t drink the refreshments) Then comes story time with Reverend Zombie. (Yes, Tony Todd is still creepy, and yes I still want a Reverend Zombie shirt!) I love these stories because they tie Marybeth to the Victor Crowley legend through her father and her uncle.
Is that Perry Shen again? Why yes it is! Playing the brother though, so I’ll accept it. Then we have the awesome R. A. Mihailoff, who is another amazing person I was fortunate enough to meet a few weeks ago. This dude is pretty intimidating (and tall!) in person, but he’s cool as hell. Adam Green makes a brief cameo as well, vomiting what is clearly vegetable soup.
Ahh!! A Leslie Vernon reference! And I didn’t make it! (Sorry.. Back to business)
I love seeing the evolution of the SFX from the first one to this one. Crowley looks different, but in a good way. All the effects greatly improve over the first film.
I also really enjoy getting to see Kane do some acting, as Victor’s father. It’s not often we get to see Kane as himself, as he is usually in heavy SFX in most of his roles.
This film is packed with hillbilly goodness, including some very awkward, very hilarious sex in the swamp. (Always a bad idea!)
Just like the first one, this film is chock full of brutal kills. My vote for most brutal of this one goes to Tony Todd. Poor guy gets hacked in two, gets ripped out of his skin, and then tossed into a bush. (Triple ouch) Oh! And the belt sander makes a comeback!! (Poor Perry)
And just when you think it’s over and the curse is broken; a twist!! Which leads us into:
3
The latest in the series, and my favorite of the three, is jam packed with brutal kills, and it starts off immediately that way. It’s pretty obvious from the get go that this movie had a way better budget than the previous two.
Perry Shen strikes again, with no explained connection, and at this point it’s just hilarious. I have to admit it’s a little embarrassing how much I freaked out when Caroline Williams showed up. She’s my hero. I’m a huge fan of TCM2. Adam Green makes two quick cameos in this film. Derek Mears plays a badass cop really well. And if you’re not following his twitter, I highly recommend it. He’s absolutely hilarious! Then comes my favorite cameo: Sid Haig. He plays a racist, crazy, redneck, and his back and forth with the cop had me crying because I was laughing so hard. Joel David Moore makes a quick appearance as well!
Out of the three this one has way more kills and way more blood. My vote for most brutal kill goes to Derek Mears. Poor guy gets his spine ripped out through his stomach.
Poor Marybeth gets dragged back into the swamp a third (and final) time, to finally break the curse. But is it really over? Is Victor Crowley really dead? I really hope not! These movies get better and better with each sequel, and I don’t want it to end.
Oh, and Perry Shen finally gets to live! Yay!
