Review of Texas Chainsaw Massacre, The (Special Edition)

Introduction

With a Hollywood remake now nearing completion, it seems fitting that the original indy film be re-released yet again. Tobe Hopper`s masterpiece that re-defined the horror genre tells the story of bunch of college kids who get caught up in the diverse antics of a cannibalistic family, spearheaded by the infamous chainsaw-wielding Leatherface.

Video

The transfer has been cranked up a notch from the recent release, although it was never really supposed to look like a million dollars, since it was shot on anything but. However, it all adds to the creepy detail this movie conveys and a luscious presentation wouldn`t really suit the movie, and I`d go as far as saying it would detract from the disturbing tone it sets out to deliver.

Audio

One of the most effective soundtracks ever to be put to film is replicated faithfully here. The layered soundtrack brings the best out of the blood-curdling screams, which are at times sounded-out by the loud chainsaw noises in some of the most intense scenes. The musical score by Tobe Hooper and Wayne Bell is very unsettling and perfect for the films atmosphere. The dialogue is clear along with everything else, and all in all it`s a terrific job.

Features

A fantastic aray of extras, with this disc consisting of additions from the previous release, and more. Sadly, there`s nothing in-terms of extras as far as the remake is concerned, which is a disappointment, as some promotional material would have been welcomed. What is on the disc though, as I say, is quite fantastic.

The Shocking Truth, a documentary that runs over an hour-long is a terrific compilation of interviews & segments, filmed both current
& at the time of making of the movie. There are also separate filmed interviews with Hooper and co writer Kim Henkel, and a riveting commentary track with Hooper.

Leatherface himself Gunner Hansen, along with cinematographer Daniel Pearl, both cover the making of the film in exhaustive detail, with surprisingly few overlaps. The disc also comes equipped with trailers for the entire saga, deleted and alternate footage, bloopers, on-set test shots, stills, posters, lobby cards and Web-links.

How they managed to compile so much for a movie so dated is beyond me, but what a grand accolade for doing so.

Conclusion

Still delivers the shock-value it was made famous for, and it does whet the appetite for a remake of what is quite simply one of the all-time great horror movies. The audio & video presentation have both stepped up a gear over the previous release, and the extras are backed up with a bit more meat than before. It`s a little harder recommending this to owners of the recent version, but to fans there`s definitley enough here to justify you grabbing a copy. Excellent stuff.