Being a fan of the Texas Chainsaw Massacre franchise, I had a little bit of excitement for the newest addition to the series. Well, enough anyway, I mean we all know 2013’s Texas Chainsaw 3D was bad. It was a direct sequel to the original Texas Chainsaw Massacre, well Leatherface is the prequel. Yes, this messy timeline has gotten worse and more bizarre. Rather than granting the series a new start, lets do something odd. This is odd, the nearly 40 year later sequel was odd too.
I did write an article about where we should leave the Texas Chainsaw Massacre series, which you can check out here.
A violent teen and three others kidnap a young nurse while escaping from a Texas mental institution. Pursued by a vengeful sheriff, the disturbed young man embarks on a murderous rampage that shapes him into a legendary killer known as Leatherface.
This movie has a couple of things that bother me. Most of it is around the plot. Yeah, doesn’t really narrow down my complaints. There problems with the plot mostly stem from attempts a plot twists that just didn’t work for me. Also, I guess they were really taking these into a new place. It does not feel like a Texas Chainsaw Massacre film. Which, honestly, if I was not in the mindset of it being a Texas Chainsaw film, it would have been way better.
The film centers around the Sawyer family and begins with a birthday and the entire family is present. Looks like Leatherface starts off as a kiddo in this one. Eventually there is a killing in a barn that reminds me something from a Rob Zombie film. Jedidiah Sawyer is taken in to custody for the killing of the Hartman’s daughter. The movie shifts to a mental institution for more character development that is absolutely not needed. Eventually there is a break out and a riot. A couple people escape, which really mixes everything up. The twist happens and then it begins to feel like a Texas Chainsaw film. Really, the last ten minutes or so were what made the movie a Texas Chainsaw film.
My complaints were mostly already listed as, throw away characters and I bad plot. In 2006, Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning was a prequel for the remake and it was a way better movie. I don’t want to spoil anything, but this movie made Leatherface…normal. I just don’t think this movie was good. I remember saying, Leatherface is “stupid”. I said this multiple times and even when others asked me what I thought of it. It is just not good and has gotten less than mixed reviews.
Lili Tayler is in the film, as long as Stephen Dorff. Iron Fist’s Finn Jones seemed like a good wasted character. I think Taylor and Dorff being cast, mostly to try to class this shitfest up a bit. I don’t think it worked. Stupid and a very not necissary film. Check out my “Whats Next for the Texas Chainsaw Massacre Franchise” post.
The more I think about 2017’s Leatherface, it may be the second worst addition to the series.
Here is the ranking of the previous films.
Worst to First: The Texas Chainsaw Massacre Franchise
IMDB.com has a rating of 5.0
I agree 5.0 for the newest Leatherface.
