If you can still remember the background sound just before a killing begins, then you are a huge fan of Friday the 13th. In addition of that, if you have seen every one of the sequels, than you are a SUPERFAN of the series. Repeat after me in a low whisper “chee chee chee chee chee chee” pause “chew chew chew chew chew chew chew”. Remember? And, if that gives you the willies, then for sure you are a target for the complete collection of Friday the 13th, one through 8.
For those who don’t remember the first one released in 1980, it goes something like this. A group of camp counselors who are setting up the cabins and other chores before the campers arrive are singing around a fireplace at Camp Crystal Lake. Two of the counselors are getting a bit amorous and they go up in a loft. When they start getting sexual they get stabbed to death.
Flash forward to a few years later and Annie (Robbi Morgan), who is backpacking to join the counselors at Camp Crystal Lake as their cook, arrives at a nearby town. Still having 20 miles to arrive at her goal, she gets an offer by one of the townspeople to take her the rest of the way. On the road the man tells her about the murders that happened at the camp in 1958 and the boy who drowned in 1957. But it doesn’t scare Annie saying that she’s not afraid of ghosts. Thus begins a story of counselors and bloody romance.
The rest of the collection has a similar theme involving the camp and how it attracts the danger that lies behind the dreaded hock mask. You’ll see some familiar stars in most of the sequels starting with Kevin Bacon in the original who meets his demise. And if you stick with each of the 7 additional chapters, you’ll see how horror progresses with the killer story, including the different directing and special effects. Acting even becomes less campy and the surprises are nicely planned. While the films are often commented as “a million ways to die”, they also get more horrific and never seem to lose the “scare jump” effect even if you know what’s coming.
The collection has hours of extras that both fans and students of film will be able to enjoy. Each of the six discs has their own special features and other tidbits of horror, revelations and interesting conversations. The collection are: Friday The 13th, Friday The 13th Part 2, Friday The 13th Part 3, Friday The 13th Part IV: The Final Chapter, Friday The 13th Part V: A New Beginning, Friday The 13th Part VI: Jason Lives, Friday The 13th Part VII: The New Blood, and Friday The 13th Part VIII: Jason Takes Manhattan.
All eight of the films are rated R and contain various scenes of violence, sex, nudity, gore, drug use and language. The movies are not suitable for the immature. Now available on 6 Blu-ray discs, complete with Digital HD codes of each film for on-the-go viewing.
Specifications and additional video information:
Genre: Horror
MPAA Rating: Rated R
Video Release Date: August 17, 2021
Language: English (some with choice of alternate language)
Reviewed Format: Blu-ray
Audio: DTS HD Master Audio
Video: First 4 films are newly remastered with movie theater quality.
Subtitles: English SDH
Number of Discs: 6 Discs
Distributed by: Paramount Home Entertainment
Released on: Blu-ray Discs including Digital Codes
Writer, critic, film editor John Delia, Sr. has been on all sides of the movie business from publications to film making. He has worked as a film critic with ACED Magazine for more than 20 years and other publications for a total of 40 years. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Florida. John is a member of the Southeastern Film Critics Association and Critics Association of Central Florida Send John a message at jdelia@acedmagazine.com
