Well folks there you have it, the entire “Texas Chainsaw” franchise (so far). It’s a franchise that has buried itself in a-lot of Horror fans hearts and will continue to scare generations to come.
It was a franchise that had so much potential and seemed to look like it would continue to be a strong one, unfortunately like most it didn’t but it’s what we’ve come to expect from studios these days. You have to give kudos to them for trying, even if it does mess up a beloved franchise, they do try to do something different to keep it fresh.
As with every popular franchise comes the merchandise, we’ve had video games, comics, figurines, hell even Leatherface teddies! But it’s all part of the fun and the comic books are a great alternative to the films and can be even more gruesome. I personally am a merchandise fan when it comes to Horror and am a proud owner of every TCM comic, including the one time banned Leatherface comics. If you haven’t had the chance to read any then I strongly recommend you do.
I can’t not talk about our beloved character Leatherface. He reminds me of a Michael Myers type, he never speaks (Well he just makes noises), has a killer instinct and the audience craves his presence on screen. Of-course there are differences but we get to see humanity in all of our Horror characters sooner or later. I’ve never been able to figure it out but Horror fans especially seem to have a soft spot when it comes to Leatherface….
Not long ago a new instalment to the franchise was announced “Texas Chainsaw Massacre 3D ” the plot apparently is – A young woman travels to Texas to collect an inheritance; little does she know that an encounter with a chainsaw-yielding killer is part of the reward. It’s hard to say what this will be like but I must confess that I’m not a fan of the 3D craze. The film is said to be an original sequel to Tobe Hooper’s 1974 classic, ignoring Hooper’s own 1986 sequel. It is said it will pick up exactly where the original ends, with Leatherface dancing in the road, so make of that what you will.
One thing that is clear is Michael Bay is not involved so maybe it will have a chance, I’m just hoping the C.G.I. is used well and doesn’t take anything away from the film. We’ve all had that experience were we’ve seen a film with so much potential only to be ruined by awful C.G.I. and I’m also hoping the 3D effects will be used sparingly, You just know we’ll see a where the chainsaw is coming at us.
The franchise has a future, there’s no doubt about that. I just hope that the up and coming Horror fans will give the original a chance and learn the roots of it. Leatherface and the Hewitt family are here to stay and continue to send chills down our spine, lets just hope it’s a chill for the scares.
