Title: Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter (No really, that’s what they called it.)
Director: Joseph Zito
Writer: Barney Cohen
Release Date: April 13, 1984
Cast: Kimberly Beck, Corey Feldman, Joan Freeman, Erich Anderson, Crispin Glover
Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter Cliff’s Notes
After reviving in the local morgue, Jason returns to Crystal Lake and sets his sights on a house party full of annoying teens and their noble neighbors. Ch-ch-ch Ah-ah-ah follows to greater effect.
Lecture
Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter looks to be dead in the water long before the credits have finished rolling. The intro is much too long – which is surprising in the often well-structured series – and by the time we get going, we’re already down six of the ninety-one minutes that make up this flick. What’s more, the teens in this house party are, by far, more annoying than F13’s previous casts. Even the usually crafty Crispin Glover can’t pull this off.
But where The Final Chapter goes right is in its other story line. That’s right, as if they knew that the disposable teens set-up was getting old, Zito and crew decide to also include a likable family to be the focal point of the film. By creating characters that we care about, the film is able to build a sense of dread that’s been missing since the middle of the second part. The fact that some of the family makes it and others don’t drives the point home even farther. Likewise, the inclusion of the good guy Rob adds to The Final Chapter’s success. Well, until the end that is…
Elsewhere, this puppy is pretty standard in terms of slasher. The script and directing are a little suspect – more on that later – but the effects are, as always, top notch and that roller coaster 
structure is back with a vengeance. Finally, the gore in this episode is probably my favorite of the series. Savini is at the top of his game and his work has always elevated the films he’s in. Here, Jason isn’t messing around and the audience gets to enjoy the process. His mean streak is a mile wide and these teens just can’t get out of it’s way!
Acting
The teens in this house are all kinds of annoying. Sure, the script doesn’t do these folks any favors, but I really couldn’t wait for most of them to bite it. Luckily, Beck and Anderson give the proceedings a much needed lift and provide a pair of empathetic protagonists. Likewise, Feldman
Directing
Zito is a little uneven. The night shots look fantastic and the kills are well done. However, he has trouble with his chases – they often run on too long – and doesn’t always seem to have control of the various aspects of production. And while he manages to pull of some fun action bits – his previous experience does him well – he seems less apt in the tension department.
Script
This puppy really splits this category. The teens are disposable, thinly drawn, and annoying. Their characters are paper thin and the dialogue is weak. What’s more, the flashbacks to the earlier films don’t help set this puppy apart from the rest. However, The Final Chapter is saved by its inclusion of the family and good, old Rob. By changing up the formula, we get something new and exciting. Not just that, the audience gets multiple characters to relate to. The thought that the Jarvis family isn’t going to make it adds tension and intrigue into what is usually a pretty paint by number series.
Effects
Jason’s been eating his Wheaties! We get stabbings, corkscrewings, cleavings, all kinds of -ings! Tom Savini’s work in the F13 series has always been fantastic and this is no exception.
Highlights
Um… Crispin Glover dancing? I mean, how could you not laugh!
Lowlights
Dog. Window. Slow-motion. WHY?
Friday the 13th-iness
The Final Chapter is the best early example of what the Friday the 13th series can be. We get a pissed off Jason, a bunch of groovy kills, enough teens to fill your dreams, and a kick ass amount of energy. This is exactly what I look for in a F13 flick.
Final Thoughts
Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter finally shakes the series out of its slumping pattern. Sure, there are a few moments that don’t really work, but the enhanced script and solid efforts from the production team pull this puppy out from the muck of Crystal Lake.
Grade: B
Do you think The Final Chapter deserved a B? Let us know in the comments.
