Hatchet (2006) Review
When you think about slashers, what’s the first one that come to mind? Freddy Krueger, Jason Voorhees, Michael Myers or Leatherface are usually who people think of. We also have Chucky & Candyman as well, but those other ones are the usual “top-of-the-line” slashers. Every now and then we have an original idea and if done right they will stand the test of time.
This movie I am reviewing today is an original new slasher film. A slasher film I think is underrated and was made for gore-hounds like myself. There was a time when there was going to be a new found footage Friday the 13th movie, an installment that had new director Adam Green in the running.
The main reasons Adam wanted to direct it was because he was a fan. He also really wanted to work with stunt man Kane Hodder. Hodder is mostly known all over the world for being the true Jason Voorhees. Kane played Jason in parts 7, 8, 9 & 10 of the Friday the 13th franchise. When the film didn’t play out for Adam, he decided to write his very own slasher film with Kane in the lead. What we ended up with is Hatchet!
Hatchet is a 2006 horror film that stars Tamara Feldman( Gossip Girl) as Marybeth Dunstan, a woman whose brother and father disappear one night while Gator Hunting. They were hunting near the home of Victor Crowley, played amazingly by Kane Hodder (True Jason Voorhees, Stuntman). Victor Crowley was a disfigured child that people made fun of, so his father who is also played by Kane Hodder, kept him inside the house at all the time. He keeps Victor from going outside where he will be ridiculed and laughed at. One night three kids try to scare Victor with fireworks and accidentally sets the home on fire. Victor’s father gets home and tries to get the door open with a hatchet. While hacking at the door, Victor’s Father accidentally kills his son by going through the door and striking Victor in the face.
We also see a bunch of guys living it up in New Orleans at Mardi Gras. One of the guy’s named Ben played by Joel David Moore (Dodgeball, Grandma’s Boy, Avatar, Bones) is there to get over his recent breakup. While he is there his friend Marcus played by Deon Richmond (Trippin’, Scream 3, Not Another Teen Movie) wants him to live it up, while Ben just wants to grieve. Ben hears about an awesome haunted boat tour and talks Marcus into going, even though Marcus would rather look at boobs all day instead of being on a boat. This boat tour is run by a man named Reverend Zombie who is played by horror legend Tony Todd (Candy man, Final Destination).
Of course once the boat tour gets going, bad luck soon starts to happen. The boat ends up crashing into a rock and the boat sinks. Mary Beth tells Ben and Marcus the tale of Victor Crowley and they need to get away from where they are, if not.. Victor will kill everyone in sight.
What we end up getting for 90 minutes is one of the best gore-tastic films of the last ten years. Every kill is spot on and just makes you happy as a gore-hound seeing these awesome kill scenes. There is a scene of Victor ripping someone’s jaw off and even ripping someone’s spine out, all in full detail. I love this movie beyond words, I love the fact that its an original character with a kick ass back story. This movie also has amazing special effects and make up, Victor is brought to life through Kane Hodder’s performance and shows you why he defined Jason Voorhees. This, in my opinion, should be one of the new Slasher icons of this generation. Victor should join the ranks with Jason, Michael, Leatherface, Freddy & even Ghostface. You can definitely tell that Adam Green had a lot fun with this movie. Also if you look real close in the beginning you will see a Adam Green cameo. Another thing I love about this film is even though it’s a scary film, there is comedic moments that make you laugh and breaks up the tension.
So if you want a good slasher flick that will satisfy the gore-hound in yourself, go and check out Adam Green’s Hatchet. This is only Part One of a bigger story that they continue in Hatchet 2 and 3. Those sequels are also very gory and will satisfy any horror fan looking for an awesome fun time.
I give this film 5 out of 5 skulls. Like I said this movie isn’t just scary, It’s a lot of fun and entertaining. But whatever you do…don’t get caught out in the swamp at night, or maybe just maybe you’ll hear Victor Crowley in the dead of night! “DADDDDDDDDYYYYYYYYY”
I love this film. Hatchet us awesome!