Is horror composed of tropes, even if they are only tropes because I am coming to the film decades after its release, 'trashy' horror?
The first three Friday films follow a soon-tiresome formula: you watch a bunch of kids be kids in the woods, and then get picked off one by one, with a 'here he is again!' crescendo/de-crescendo pattern that increases in frequency as the film goes on, until it reaches an almost ridiculous pace. The 2009 remake had me missing The Blaire Witch Project, however the original (1980) creates an engaging universe in true gothic tradition. The wilderness is the most powerful character (and may i say, much of the credit for this surely goes to composer Harry Manfredini), and is responsible more so than any bloody killings or disfigured un-dead for the actual horror. Of particular note are the hilarious walk-on-roles: a power-tripping try-hard cop, a lovable ultra-geeky waitress and a collective of reticent locals.
All of these elements are watered down in the the second film, to its detriment. It lacks the variety of characters and doesn't quite nail the wilderness, but sticks pretty closely to the tropes of the original. The third follows suit right up until the final ten minutes. In both sequels the gangs of youths fall into the same character types (most notably the fool, increased in number from just one of the gang to a full three by the third film). The first film gave us a glimpse of the true potential of Jason's character, which was ignored in Part II, and only appeared again at the very end of Part III. Will the promise of Jason apparent in the original film be realised in the many sequels I have yet to watch?
On another note, my housemate David over at The Irony Mark hated the film I recently recommended, Plague Town. I maintain my position regardless.
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