Hatchet III (2013)

The performances transcend the film's tropes, grounding it in characters that feel more complete than this subgenre often produces.

If the ambition is to provide two hours of instantly forgettable, popcorn-munching escapism, it succeeds.

It's funny, it's tense, it features two great performances from two actors and the director expertly creates a web of odd tension where you actually don't know what is happening for the majority of the run time.

An old-fashioned movie made with new-fashioned finesse.

An interesting side note with all 4 of these films is Perry Shen(GH) is in each one, BUT plays different characters. This sequel had much more humor than the others and was little wild on the gore factor. From the beginning of the film (again from where we left off), Marybeth destroying Crowley and then walking into police station with a gun and his scalp. We pick up where a search and recovery team is sent to Honey Island to collect evidence and remains. Ahhhhh but alas, Victor has been resurrected once again and is pissed. There are many more kills, much more violent and gore filled. I enjoy the scenery of the swamp and each film was shot on location in Louisiana. The humor in this one was off the cuff and well placed in the dialogue. In reality I was pleasantly surprised by this sequel, BUT not so much to give it a 5/10

Only 10 minutes into the movie I had to force myself not to turn it off. I love a good horror plot and often look past the "B" actors and try to enjoy the movie. These are some of the worst actors I've encountered, even Zach Galligan was a joke (and I loved him in Gremlins). If you liked the other Hatchet movies, you will probably not be too angry about losing 90 irreplaceable minutes of your life. There is enough gore to keep the enthusiasts watching, but don't look for these guys to get academy awards. I've seen lower budget movies with better acting. I'm a horror movie buff and liked the other Hatchet movies but I feel cheated with the acting in this one.

Picking up exactly where part II leaves off, Marybeth (Harris) is still trying to make sure Victor Crowley (Hodder) won't return from the dead. She ends up in jail where a journalist (Williams) approaches her with what she claims is the real way to kill Crowley. All though still in custody, Marybeth, the reporter, the Sheriff (Galligan) and some of his men go back to Honey Island Swamp for a final showdown with Crowley. Adam Green turns the directing chores over to BJ McDonnell the man who shot the first two in this series. Green still wrote it and the jokes and silly spirit of the first two are more than present. There are some clever twists in the story and the cast is certainly game. The blood and gore are ridiculous as ever and McDonnell effectively nails a few jump scares. Still, while watching this, you can't help but think to yourself 'Ops maybe this went one movie too many'. Diehards will no doubt enjoy the more of the same attitude of this segment; others may feel like it has run its course.

As Adam Green says, this is the last part of his own vision. It was always meant to be a trilogy (though obviously you never know if you can actually make 3 movies, depending on how successful your franchise is). But of course, who knows what the studio might decide to do with the franchise? There might be a couple of Hatchets coming our way (recently Saw 8 has been announced to be in development ... they always come back, sooner or later).Concerning this recent output, it is what you'd expect it to be. It wasn't directed by Adam Green, but he was still very much hands on (writing and contributing in general for the production of the movie). Unfortunately it doesn't reach the fun factor of the first one. It does reach the gore factor of the previous ones, in case that is what you're looking for solely.There will be a few surprise appearances (if no one spoiled them for you) and you might chuckle here and there (Adam Greens wife is in it too and he's not being gentle with her ... in the movie that is). A recurring actor appears in this, this time with a better excuse than in part two (one of the better jokes of the script). A fun little watch, nothing more, nothing less