THE TEXAS CHAINSAW
MASSACRE (2003 Platinum Series
Edition)
1974’s
THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE is certainly one of the most infamous
horror movies of all time, which is why many genre fans couldn’t see the
need to remake this seminal classic. Because the original version of THE
TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE is one of the most gut wrenching exercises in
terror, I personally could understand where those genre fans were coming
from. However, after having experienced the 2003 re-envisioning of THE
TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE, I feel that the new movie is more than a
worthwhile enterprise. Fortunately, the new version of THE TEXAS
CHAINSAW MASSACRE avoids the mistake of being little more than a
shot-for-shot remake of the original by changing the characters and adding
embellishments to the story- don’t worry Leatherface is still here. Of
course, the remake does maintain continuity with the original by featuring
the same cinematographer (Daniel Pearl) and the same narrator (John
Larroquette), not to mention keeping the story set in the same early 70’s
time period.
The
plot of 2003’s THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE finds a vanload of
teens crossing Texas, while returning from a trip to Mexico. After picking
up the young woman they nearly ran down on a dusty Texas road, our teen
protagonists have to deal with her shocking suicide. Stopping off in an
isolated community to get help, and hand over the body to the local
authorities, the group soon find themselves embroiled in a deadly waking
nightmare featuring a chainsaw wielding madman, who wears a mask stitched
together from the faces of his previous victims. THE TEXAS CHAINSAW
MASSACRE features a solid cast of young performers, lead by the
beautiful Jessica Biel, plus Jonathan Tucker, Erica Leerhsen, Mike Vogel
and Eric Balfour. Of course, the film’s standout performance comes from
R. Lee Ermey as the creepy/sadistic Sheriff the teens encounter. Also
lending support are Andrew Bryniarski, David Dorfman, Lauren German,
Terrence Evans, Marietta Marich, Heather Kafka, Kathy Lamkin and Brad
Leland.
New
Line Home Entertainment has made THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE
available on DVD in a 1.85:1 wide screen presentation that features the
anamorphic enhancement for 16:9 displays. This being a New Line title, it
should come as no surprise that the movie looks incredible, despite the
cinematography being gritty and atmospheric. The image is very sharp and
highly defined, even when portions of the picture drop off into
impenetrable darkness. Much of the time the colors appear muted, but there
are also some rather vibrant moments, plus flashes of saturated reds mixed
into the more somber color schemes. All of the hues are rendered without
noise or smearing. Blacks appear deep and inky, whites are crisp and
contrast can be a bit harsh in places. Shadow detail can be very good, or
intentionally truncated. The film element used for the transfer is
pristine, although the intentionally grittiness of the photographic style
makes a grain structure rather noticeable in places. Digital compression
artifacts are always very well concealed.
THE
TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE comes with 5.1/6.1 channel soundtracks in the
varieties of Dolby Digital and DTS. Both tracks are knockouts and prove
that even modestly budgeted films can have ass-kicking soundtracks in this
age of digital wonder. There is a healthy dose of creepy atmospheric
effects to rev up the film’s level of tension, plus there are plenty of
activity ping-ponging around the soundstage during the moments of outright
horror- gotta love the buzz of the chainsaw as Leatherface chases his more
elusive victims. Fidelity is excellent, with the sound effects coming
across in an exceedingly convincing manner, plus the film’s music having
a rich, full-bodied sound. Dialogue always sounds quite natural, in
addition to being completely understandable. The bass channel packs a
punch, without ever sounding overblown. As for the differences between the
Dolby Digital and DTS tracks, they aren’t extreme, but DTS does edge out
the standard bearer in sonic warmth and clarity. An English Dolby Surround
track is also encoded onto the DVD, as are English and Spanish subtitles.
Full
motion video, animation and sound serve to enhance the DVD's interactive
menus. Through the menus, one has access to standard scene selection and
set up features, as well as a nice body of supplement materials, which
have been spread across both discs of this set. Disc one includes three
separate audio commentaries/audio essays: The first features producer
Michael Bay, director Marcus Nispel, producer Andrew Porm, executive
producer Brad Fuller and New Line Cinema’s Robert Shaye. The second is
with director Marcus Nispel, producer Michael Bay, writer Scott Kosar,
producers Andrew Porm and Brad Fuller, plus actors Jessica Biel and Erica
Leerhsen, Eric Balfour, Mike Vogel, Johnathan Tucker and Andrew Bryniarski.
Chiming in on the third are producer Michael Bay, cinematographer Daniel
Pearl, production designer Greg Blair, art director Scott Gallagher,
composer Steve Jablonsky, director Marcus Nispel and supervising sound
editor Trevor Jolly. Each of three tracks covers different aspects of the
film, are highly detailed and focused. Fans will find a lot to chew on in
all three tracks, although casual listeners may want to start with the
track featuring the performers, as it is the most accessible and
entertaining of the three.
Moving
on to disc two, one will find the remainder of the supplemental materials.
Starting things off nicely is Chainsaw Redux: Making A Massacre,
a seventy-five minute documentary that examines the making of the film in
extensive detail. Not at all fluffy or self-congratulatory, this is truly
an excellent documentary, which should be used as a guideline for all
making of programs. Next we have Ed Gein: The Ghoul Of Plainfield,
a twenty-five minute program that looks at the real life Wisconsin
murderer/ghoul/necrophiliac, who served as the inspiration, not only for
Leatherface in THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE, but also for Norman
Bates in PSYCHO.
In
Severed Parts, we find seven deleted scenes that include
different opening and closing sequences, as well as a gorier death scene-
the deleted scenes can be viewed with a director’s introduction, which
explains why they were excised. Also featured on disc two are screen tests
for Jessica Biel, Eric Balfour, and Erica Leerhsen, plus a still gallery,
theatrical teaser, theatrical trailer, seven TV spots and the Suffocate
music video from Motograter. Bonus trailers for HIGHWAYMEN, WILLARD,
THE BUTTERFLY EFFECT and RIPLEY'S GAME close out the
supplemental programming. THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE is also
DVD-ROM enabled with web links and Script-to-Screen access to the film.
Finally, I should also mention the DVD’s cool fold out packaging that is
reminiscent of a chainsaw- it’s nice to see that that the designer had a
sly sense of humor.
While
not the genre classic that the original is, 2003’s re-envisioning of THE
TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE is an unnerving horror film by its own right,
and it certainly makes a rather gory impact. As for New Line’s Platinum
Series DVD, it is a first class production all the way. Featuring
excellent visual and audio quality, plus the kind of quality supplements
that are actually worth watching- this is another superb New Line DVD. If
you’re a horror hound that likes top-notch DVDs, then New Line’s
Platinum Series Edition of THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE is a disc
well worth acquiring. Recommended.
Note:THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE is available in its two disc
Platinum Series Edition for $39.92, as well as a stripped down single disc
release, which is minus most of the excellent supplemental content for
$27.95.
1974’s
THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE is certainly one of the most infamous
horror movies of all time, which is why many genre fans couldn’t see the
need to remake this seminal classic. Because the original version of THE
TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE is one of the most gut wrenching exercises in
terror, I personally could understand where those genre fans were coming
from. However, after having experienced the 2003 re-envisioning of THE
TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE, I feel that the new movie is more than a
worthwhile enterprise. Fortunately, the new version of THE TEXAS
CHAINSAW MASSACRE avoids the mistake of being little more than a
shot-for-shot remake of the original by changing the characters and adding
embellishments to the story- don’t worry Leatherface is still here. Of
course, the remake does maintain continuity with the original by featuring
the same cinematographer (Daniel Pearl) and the same narrator (John
Larroquette), not to mention keeping the story set in the same early 70’s
time period.
The
plot of 2003’s THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE finds a vanload of
teens crossing Texas, while returning from a trip to Mexico. After picking
up the young woman they nearly ran down on a dusty Texas road, our teen
protagonists have to deal with her shocking suicide. Stopping off in an
isolated community to get help, and hand over the body to the local
authorities, the group soon find themselves embroiled in a deadly waking
nightmare featuring a chainsaw wielding madman, who wears a mask stitched
together from the faces of his previous victims. THE TEXAS CHAINSAW
MASSACRE features a solid cast of young performers, lead by the
beautiful Jessica Biel, plus Jonathan Tucker, Erica Leerhsen, Mike Vogel
and Eric Balfour. Of course, the film’s standout performance comes from
R. Lee Ermey as the creepy/sadistic Sheriff the teens encounter. Also
lending support are Andrew Bryniarski, David Dorfman, Lauren German,
Terrence Evans, Marietta Marich, Heather Kafka, Kathy Lamkin and Brad
Leland.
New
Line Home Entertainment has made THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE
available on DVD in a 1.85:1 wide screen presentation that features the
anamorphic enhancement for 16:9 displays. This being a New Line title, it
should come as no surprise that the movie looks incredible, despite the
cinematography being gritty and atmospheric. The image is very sharp and
highly defined, even when portions of the picture drop off into
impenetrable darkness. Much of the time the colors appear muted, but there
are also some rather vibrant moments, plus flashes of saturated reds mixed
into the more somber color schemes. All of the hues are rendered without
noise or smearing. Blacks appear deep and inky, whites are crisp and
contrast can be a bit harsh in places. Shadow detail can be very good, or
intentionally truncated. The film element used for the transfer is
pristine, although the intentionally grittiness of the photographic style
makes a grain structure rather noticeable in places. Digital compression
artifacts are always very well concealed.
THE
TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE comes with 5.1/6.1 channel soundtracks in the
varieties of Dolby Digital and DTS. Both tracks are knockouts and prove
that even modestly budgeted films can have ass-kicking soundtracks in this
age of digital wonder. There is a healthy dose of creepy atmospheric
effects to rev up the film’s level of tension, plus there are plenty of
activity ping-ponging around the soundstage during the moments of outright
horror- gotta love the buzz of the chainsaw as Leatherface chases his more
elusive victims. Fidelity is excellent, with the sound effects coming
across in an exceedingly convincing manner, plus the film’s music having
a rich, full-bodied sound. Dialogue always sounds quite natural, in
addition to being completely understandable. The bass channel packs a
punch, without ever sounding overblown. As for the differences between the
Dolby Digital and DTS tracks, they aren’t extreme, but DTS does edge out
the standard bearer in sonic warmth and clarity. An English Dolby Surround
track is also encoded onto the DVD, as are English and Spanish subtitles.
Full
motion video, animation and sound serve to enhance the DVD's interactive
menus. Through the menus, one has access to standard scene selection and
set up features, as well as a nice body of supplement materials, which
have been spread across both discs of this set. Disc one includes three
separate audio commentaries/audio essays: The first features producer
Michael Bay, director Marcus Nispel, producer Andrew Porm, executive
producer Brad Fuller and New Line Cinema’s Robert Shaye. The second is
with director Marcus Nispel, producer Michael Bay, writer Scott Kosar,
producers Andrew Porm and Brad Fuller, plus actors Jessica Biel and Erica
Leerhsen, Eric Balfour, Mike Vogel, Johnathan Tucker and Andrew Bryniarski.
Chiming in on the third are producer Michael Bay, cinematographer Daniel
Pearl, production designer Greg Blair, art director Scott Gallagher,
composer Steve Jablonsky, director Marcus Nispel and supervising sound
editor Trevor Jolly. Each of three tracks covers different aspects of the
film, are highly detailed and focused. Fans will find a lot to chew on in
all three tracks, although casual listeners may want to start with the
track featuring the performers, as it is the most accessible and
entertaining of the three.
Moving
on to disc two, one will find the remainder of the supplemental materials.
Starting things off nicely is Chainsaw Redux: Making A Massacre,
a seventy-five minute documentary that examines the making of the film in
extensive detail. Not at all fluffy or self-congratulatory, this is truly
an excellent documentary, which should be used as a guideline for all
making of programs. Next we have Ed Gein: The Ghoul Of Plainfield,
a twenty-five minute program that looks at the real life Wisconsin
murderer/ghoul/necrophiliac, who served as the inspiration, not only for
Leatherface in THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE, but also for Norman
Bates in PSYCHO.
In
Severed Parts, we find seven deleted scenes that include
different opening and closing sequences, as well as a gorier death scene-
the deleted scenes can be viewed with a director’s introduction, which
explains why they were excised. Also featured on disc two are screen tests
for Jessica Biel, Eric Balfour, and Erica Leerhsen, plus a still gallery,
theatrical teaser, theatrical trailer, seven TV spots and the Suffocate
music video from Motograter. Bonus trailers for HIGHWAYMEN, WILLARD,
THE BUTTERFLY EFFECT and RIPLEY'S GAME close out the
supplemental programming. THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE is also
DVD-ROM enabled with web links and Script-to-Screen access to the film.
Finally, I should also mention the DVD’s cool fold out packaging that is
reminiscent of a chainsaw- it’s nice to see that that the designer had a
sly sense of humor.
While
not the genre classic that the original is, 2003’s re-envisioning of THE
TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE is an unnerving horror film by its own right,
and it certainly makes a rather gory impact. As for New Line’s Platinum
Series DVD, it is a first class production all the way. Featuring
excellent visual and audio quality, plus the kind of quality supplements
that are actually worth watching- this is another superb New Line DVD. If
you’re a horror hound that likes top-notch DVDs, then New Line’s
Platinum Series Edition of THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE is a disc
well worth acquiring. Recommended.
