Texas Chainsaw 3D Directed by: John Luessenhop Starring: Alexandra Daddario, Tania Raymonde, Trey Songz Rating: R Release Date: January 4, 2013
TRAILER SCORE: 4/10
Thoughts by TSR: Apparently this is being considered a direct sequel to 1974’s The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (all the other films were definitely not direct sequels, obviously). But whatever. This new film is nothing more than an excuse to see scantily clad people massacred with, you know, a chainsaw. Speaking of which, what were they thinking removing the word “massacre” from the title? Texas Chainsaw sounds like it's about chainsaw artists in Amarillo or some such thing. Now that I mention it, however, that does sound better than what this trailer is selling. Look, I like Tobe Hooper’s original film – and think the 2003 version with Jessica Biel isn’t half bad either – but I just don’t understand why this exists.
Very little of this trailer justifies its existence, though there are a few things that keep it from being a total bust. For one thing, I quite like the use of Mark Lanegan's "The Beast In Me.” It’s a good song choice and sets a nice mood from the onset. The final moments with Alexandra Daddario hiding in the coffin are solid as well. While I question how wise it is to get in a coffin as opposed to running away from the maniac with a chainsaw, the use of sound as Leatherface’s footsteps grow louder is a fairly effective way to go out. Everything in between, unfortunately, makes Texas Chainsaw look like an entirely mediocre and forgettable January release.