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Just when you thought the original was disturbing, gross, disgusting, and frightening, now comes the updated version, "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre," which knows no limits when it comes to gore and intensely terrifying moments. Is it a remake? Not necessarily. However, it is more like a movie that pays tribute to a great classic by offering its own vision of a well-known nightmare of limbs and guts.

While characters and some of the story has changed, the deranged and murderous plot remains the same. An unspeakable turn of events (I will not give away how it all starts, as it is very different from the original) lands a group of teens in a nightmarish maze that throws a mutilated man who wields a giant chainsaw in their path. Not to mention the "crazy" family that turns out to be just as vicious and murderous. For these teens, a safe place is nowhere in their short and painful future.

As I said in the beginning, this is not a remake. Nor is this a sequel. So what is it? Well, I like to think of it as an "updated" version of the original--in fact, I consider it more of a tribute to the classic that redefined the horror genera as we know it. This movie, while much more darker, sinister, and sicker, is not trying to live up to the original, nor is it trying to outdo it. I had to smile, as this was not a step-by-step remake, such as the newer "Psycho" was. There are new elements, characters, and plot twists thrown into the mix. And to be honest... it works.

I must confess, I had an unquestionably hard time trying to watch this movie. There were a bunch of moments that made me want to shut it off, and yet--I continued to watch the debauchery. There is a sick and twisted fascination that this movie exploits from us, knowing that we're going continue to watch no matter what. The original was choppy and had a very low-budget, so while it was undeniably violent and brutal it wasn't as hard to take. This new version is in no way a Grade-B movie. It's extremely realistic in its absolute brutality. This shouldn't even be considered as a choice for people who have a hard time watching violence, gore and torture. This movie takes it to the limit and is unapologetic.

Even though this was a hard movie to watch, I have to confess that I liked it. It is great to finally see a horror movie that isn't overly goofy. This is a straight-up and serious slasher movie that does what it's supposed to do--TERRIFY US. An element sadly forgotten by most of the horror flops that come out now. Maybe they can take a page from this movie and perhaps learn something. The acting is surprisingly good, the script is quite believable and is rarely cheesy or lame, and the film looks fantastic. Not a bad job for director Marcus Nispel.

This 2-Disc special edition (a single disc version is also available for those who aren't giant fans of the movie) has some tasty extras. As I said, the film looks and sounds great. You even have the choice of watching it in DTS if your little heart desires to do so. Special features include documentaries, deleted scenes, commentary, trailers, TV spots and a whole lot more. The star of the special features is an exclusive documentary on the notorious killer, Ed Gein, who inspired the original film. It's a really interesting feature and is the main reason to purchase this edition of the movie. The behind-the-scenes documentary (over an hour long) is also worth the money, as well.

"The Texas Chainsaw Massacre" is an unforgiving bloodbath that sends you to the butcher's with bloody front-row seats. It's not better than the original, and it is not trying to be. This film is more of a tribute to an undeniable classic. It's an entertaining new vision and interpretation of the original. If you're looking for a straight-up horror movie that isn't trying to be cutesy or is striving for pop status, then this is the one for you. Just remember one thing... once you open the door, there's no going back. A disturbing, and yet involving horror film that will stay in your head for days. -Michael Crane

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Well, this 2003 remake of "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre" creeped me out. Of course I waited until late at night to watch it, which is what you were supposed to do with a horror movie, because lately even when a horror film has a good start, such as "Jeepers Creepers," they almost always end up being laughable. Now, I will not go so far as to say this is a great horror film, and I am not suggesting that it replace the raw power of Tobe Hooper's original in any one's mind, but it sure creeped me out more than anything I have seen in a while (except for last month when I watched "The Exorcist" again).

What does this remake have working in its favor? Well, first the film is selective in what it takes from the original. We have the same beginning with the grainy film and the same narration talking about "one of the most bizarre crimes in the annals of American history" (again narrated by a now considerably more famous John Larroquette), and we have the same basic idea that a group of teenagers in 1973 make the mistake of running into Leatherface and his kin. But in terms of the specifics the screenplay by Scott Kosar does not treat the original like gospel: the hook is still there, but we lose the bizarre dinner scene where the original really lost me.

I was also surprised to see that cinematographer Daniel Pearl is back to show what he has learned since 1974, which is apparently a note. Maybe the music video sensibilities of director Marcus Nispel have something to do with this at well, but this horror film looks the way that horror films are supposed to look. You know that things are going well when you are getting the wiggins and the sun has not yet set in the film. There are plenty of bad things to see in this film, but the camera does not wallow on them the way so many splatter flicks do.

Maybe part of the effectiveness of this remake is that for those of us who watched the original we know the basics of what is going to happen so that there is a sense of anticipation that no matter what is happening on screen something really bad is about to happen. But if I were going to point to something else beyond the cinematography it would be the fact that this time Leatherface (Andrew Bryniarski) is not the really scary one. No, the honor goes to R. Lee Ermey who brings his drill sergeant from hell to the character of Sheriff Hoyt. Even before Leatherface shows up these teenagers are in way over their heads.

Ripe for the slaughter are good girl Erin (Jessica Biel), her boy friend Kemper (Eric Balfour), young stud Andy (Mike Vogel), the friendly hitchhiker Pepper (Erica Leerhsen), and for comic relief stoner Morgan (Jonathan Tucker). They are driving through Texas to get to a concert when they almost run over a disoriented and frightened girl walking along the road. They try to help, but she is beyond help and so, as she plainly tells them, are they.

Biel, still trying to put her good girl image from "7th Heaven" behind her, manages to play a scream queen without going off the deep end like she did in "Gear" (even in a freezing meat locker). Often these films come down to the good girl character trying to survive the maniac with their weapon of choice and in that regard Biel is one of the better to come along. Yeah, she is smart and sexy, but for once when she gets to the part where she has to fight back you actually believe she might pull it off.

This is a grim and relentless film that assaults its audience as much as it does its characters. After so many horror films that fail on that score perhaps the biggest shock is any film could get this far doing what it is supposed to be doing and if you come here expecting a cathartic ending abandon hope on that score right now. Also, when you decide to watch it late at night, remember not to turn all the light out.

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I had to wonder, initially, why anyone would go through the trouble of remaking a "classic" that already had numerous sequels to begin with. I came into it with "low expectations," in other words. But I must say that after watching it a couple times, I'm not disappointed with the effort.

The only reason for knocking it down to 4 stars is the clumsy framing device. It strives for the same sort of verisimilitude that the original had. Grainy archive footage of some State Investigators going down into the basement of the house of notoriety, filming the grisly scene. It's obviously not original stock footage, but just some attempted levity on the part of the filmmakers. It doesn't work. Yes, we all know that the original film was based on a true story, at least loosely. The actual dude who was the mass killer lived in Wisconsin, not Texas, but that's beside the point.

What this remake does deliver on is "fear factor" moments. The actors portraying the crazies really do sell their insanity, particularly in the "trailer trash" scene. The over the top Sherrif (fans of Full Metal Jacket will recognize Mr Psycho Drill Sargeant) is also very effective. If you have a good sound system hooked up to your DVD player, the soundtrack and sound effects alone will put you into mild seizure. That's something the original Hooper DVD can't deliver. Chainsaw noises will haunt your consciousness for at least a day or two!

I also like the way the production team depicted the Chainsaw guy. The quick cuts never give us a clear picture of the face. He's quicker than the original Leatherface. Moves like a cat. He's also not depicted as a totally brain dead avenger of Satan. Just a boy who had problems adjusting in grade school, I guess. "Vengence is Mine," sayeth the Leathered One!

BEK

Honest reviews on The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2003)

I mean REALLY. These days, there aren't a whole lot of movies that impress me. I loved this one. I have pondered many things concerning the remake of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, and now I have an answer.

The people who voice their opinions on this movie can probably be classified into two groups: Those who love it and those who hate it. Since there aren't a whole lot of people who tout the "meh, it was okay" view, I think we can safely assume that bad or good, this movie is definately a benchmark in movie history. Just like everyone else in the world, my opinion is not without bias, but I'm confident that the assertion I'm about to make is solid and reasonable:

This movie is unbelievable. It's almost an insult to call this a "remake" of the original TCM, because it is incredibly innovative. It's a different story, different cast, and a different kind of drive than that of the first. It's more raw, more terrifying, and it never lets up throughout the entire film.

First things first: Jessica Biel. I don't care what other projects she's participated in before. She did an amazing job in this film. Let me take that a step further and say that EVERYone in this movie put forth a wonderful effort. The acting is natural and realistic; these actors make you believe that this really did and could happen. From what I know, there was a deep concern that the movie would be nothing more than a showcase of Jessica's clevage. But this is not the case. Although she is definitely an attractive woman, I'm afraid your mind won't be able to concentrate on the curves. She plays a character who quickly figures out exactly how much trouble she and her friends are in, and she forces herself and her companions to face this horror and survive. Jessica Biel's character is the "silent leader" in this movie, and her performance is astounding.

Then there's LeatherFace. Let the record show that I have been an original TCM fan for quite some time. It was an amazing, innovative movie, and it was a blast to watch over and over again. But let's not kid ourselves. Leatherface, while tall and creepy (especially with the mask of skin), had a sort of dumb air around him. He made funny sounds and was clumsy to the point that he was actually humorous. This LeatherFace is nowhere to be found in the new movie. In his place is a ruthless, cunning, and INCREDIBLY fast LeatherFace. One of the things about the first TCM that slightly dulled the fear element is that LeatherFace never really ran. He jogged. This new LeatherFace SPRINTS. These poor kids run from him screaming at the top of their lungs because they know that he IS going to catch them. They scream and cry because there truly is no hope for them. I remember screaming in that movie because a particular foot chase scene would lead you to believe that a victim was starting to slightly get ahead of LeatherFace... And then cut back behind the poor fellow to reveal the gruesome truth, that he was delivering the fatal stroke.

Conclusion: Please don't listen to the whining nastolgics who have made themselves believe that if a movie is made in modern times that it can't possibly be worth seeing. Please don't listen to people who have constructed entire websites for the sole purpose of thrashing this remake and idolizing the original. And PLEASE... Don't listen to the people who gave this movie one star-not because they saw it and hated it, but because they made themselves hate it from the moment it was conceived.

By the way, most people who hate this movie are die-hard worshippers of the infamous "Dawn Of The Living Dead."

(Snickers)

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First of all, shockingly enough, this film has is not the same as the original. Stop the presses! It's changed. They have better use of color and cameras, that must mean it's "hollywood-ized". Well, get over it. You can't live in the past. Just because a movie has new camera techniques or make up artists, doesn't mean it sucks. People who think that are ridiculous.

The film opens up with 4 young adults going cross country after picking up some drugs. They are driving along, minding their own business, when they pick up a girl walking down a desolate road. They pick her up and make sure she's alright, which of course she isn't because she's gone through what they are about to experience. She tells them bits and pieces of her story, which make no sense, and then suddenly kills herself. The 4 of them freak out and pull over to the nearest gas station to get some help.

Throughout the movie you are hoping that someone one is going to survive, but you don't know how anyone can possibly get through this. One by one the lead female watches as her friends are massacred. She's the heroine in this film, so she does try to save them to a certain extent, but when you are in this situation you're mind doesn't think. Instinct takes over and all you care about is surviving. To see who lives and dies in the movie, you're going to have to watch it, because I don't want to tell you that everybody dies.

This film is one of the best horror films I've seen. I've watched the original, and I actually prefer this one. While there was some gore, it's not an extreme amount, which I'm okay with; the story is supposed to be more disturbing than bloody. It's about being put in that situation and doing something about it. Jessica Beil's performance was flawless. To think she came from 7th Heaven is pretty amusing, she's got a future in her acting career. All in all, definitely rent it if you haven't already.