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After
the relative success of 2003's remake of the 1974 cult classic, action
producer Michael Bay obviously smelled an easy buck and opted to take
the story of the TCM to new heights. The Beginning
is the obligatory prequel to the rejuvenated series, and for the most
part, it isn't to bad at all. In fact, it's pretty good. It looks
superb (like the film has been printed on some aged leather itself),
while the scares and gore seem to come thick and fast. There's even an
element of tension present which has so often been lacking by the
horror flicks of the early 2000's and late 90's (if anyone saw the
shocker Valentine, you'll know what I'm talking about - snore central!). But
is all this sadistic gore to much? No, I'm not going on a "Praise
Jesus" rant about political correctness and "Say No To Violence". I
love a good bit of screen blood as much as the next man, woman or
child. But, after the undisputed king of sadist film Hostel, there is very little that is able to shock me anymore. It's amazing. Throughout The Beginning
you will witness countless acts of murder and torture (including a man
having his skinned peeled off while still alive) - but it all just
seems to be a water off a ducks back. It seems I've been so
scarred/desensitized to this sort of torturous violence, that The Beginning was somewhat of a letdown. But
the thing is, this is one of the better Slasher flicks I have seen in a
long time. Set in the 60s, sometime before the events of the first
film, The Beginning fixes
on the origins of ‘Tommy’, a mutated child we later learn to know and
love as ‘Leatherface’. Four teenagers (on their way to enlist for
Vietnam) unintentionally stumble upon Tommy and company (which includes
frenzied uncle, played by R.Lee Ermey, whose pretending to be a
sheriff). As a prequel, The Beginning
should (and claims) to give insight as to how/where and why the
Leatherface legend came to be. But for mine, it just threw up a whole
lot more questions. Sure, we understand why Charlie Hewitt became
Sheriff Hoyt - but what caused him to perform the act in the first
place? We know how Tommy got his 'Leatherface' but what urges him to
kill? It's a kooky family, but why? It's a great flick, and some
of the films most impressive scenes come from the tension created
leading up to the final kill (the nod to the original film -
Leatherfaces' first Chainsaw Chase through the forest is a standout tip
of the hat) - but for mine, there just wasn't enough explanation from a
film which claims to explain it all. It was one of the few chances the
film makers had enough leeway to sway from the traditional 'Slicem
Dicem' formula in order to do an origin story. It all seems a little
half arsed really. Script aside, The Beginning
hits most of the right notes and makes for one chilling film going
experience (especially if your imagination hasn't been spoiled by Hostel or Saw)
- but it's only slightly ruined by the fact that it's never really
explained why or for what reason the family is so open to gore and
mayhem.....or perhaps that's why it's so eerily chilling, perhaps there
is no reason. EXTRAS
The
extras are not to bad here. From a pretty chilling trailer, to some
decent featurettes with the actors and behind the scenes footage.
There's also some forgettable deleted footage, etc - while the
commentary can get a little self indulgent at time....AND NO QUESTIONS
ANSWERED DAMMIT!! Conclusion:
Movie 70% Extras: 60%
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