UHM - Review - Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning

With the success of the remake it didn't take long before the studio decided to make another film, but instead of a sequel, we'd be given a prequel that would detail Leatherface's past. The idea sparked much interest among the horror community as we've never received much insight on the family's background, especially that of Leatherface in any of the previous films. It was hinted that he had a hard childhood in the remake, which gave us an idea as to why Leatherface became the way he is. The Beginning offers some interesting ideas on the family, but we really don't see much of our chainsaw-wielding maniac growing up except for an intro montage over some credits. The film takes place in 1969, which is four years before the events of the remake. In the film we're shown how R. Lee Ermy became Sheriff Hoyt, how Uncle Monty lost his legs, and the family's introduction to cannibalism (which was nonexistent in the remake) and Leatherface's first use of his ever-favorite weapon -- the trusty chainsaw. Darkness Falls director Jonathan Liebesman returns from doing shorts to go behind the camera for this film replacing Marcus Nispel as director of the '03 version.

Although this takes place some years before the events of the remake, things don't change much in terms of victims. This time 'round we have yet another group of youngsters that have a little mishap on a secluded Texas road, where the sheriff picks'em up and the rest is history. What this film does offer aside from a little background information on the family is more brutality and gore than the '03 version. In fact, the much-hated MPAA slapped the film with an NC-17 rating until a reported 17 cuts had to have been made to be given a more theater-friendly R-rating. Hopefully we'll see all the cuts on an Unrated DVD. We're also given a lot more of Sheriff Hoyt, who once again delivers a lot of hilarious lines. So how does the movie rank with the remake? In my opinion I still like the remake a little better and the original above-all. Had this movie actually come before the remake then I'd say this was better, but since the theme of this film is pretty much the same as the '03 version (aside from a little history on the family) I was actually a little disappointed. I don't know what I was expecting, but I guess I was hoping to see a little footage of a young Leatherface as he grows into the beast he is now. Though, I have to admit that his new muzzle-mask is a refreshing take on his usual skin-mask, which would have been a bit tiring had it been used again.

OVERALL

The film's aim to be more realistic, bloody, and violent than the '03 version succeeded, but doesn't offer quite much more in terms of story. Sure we're shown how some things came to be with the family, but in the end we're still dealing with the same-old. Regardless, this is still a fun, brutal ride and I enjoyed every minute.

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Kenneth Terror :

Posted 92 days ago

This one is great, I liked it much better than the remake.

collin :

Posted 140 days ago

i thought this movie was pretty good. it had a good amount of gore. i thought the remake was better. but overall i thought it was pretty good. i give it a 8/10

Sanjid :

Posted 277 days ago

One of my all time favorites!

Devils_Reject :

Posted 277 days ago

91 mins on the uncut version

Werewolf Hunter :

Posted 282 days ago

Screw the haters, this prequel rocked! Scarier, more intense, and A LOT gorier, plus R. Lee rox even more this time around! Although I think more detail could have been given about Leatherface's childhood, considering the movie's mediocre 89 minute running time.

se7en :

Posted 334 days ago

This film is awesome its loads better than the remake, the gore, the family history and more Sherrif Hoyt and leatherface is more twisted.

Oscar-16 :

Posted 366 days ago

sean shut the fuck up, this film fucking rocks!! its the best chainsaw massacre ive seen, and ive seen them all!

Sean :

Posted 377 days ago

What a horrible film this was. It really was not even worth making. I thought that Leatherface had a skin eating bacteria, so thats why he wore the faces of others to be normal. In the beginning of this one, hes born mutated. WTF!!!. Its just another lousy addition to the horror genera. There are a few good gore scenes. The poor cow for instance. Don't bother. It's a waste of time.

todd :

Posted 401 days ago

I love this movie much better than the 2003 remake and latherface is a lot more intense in this film

Teddy crawford :

Posted 403 days ago

I just can say GREATTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT MOVIE¡¡¡¡ I ENJOYED SO MUCH the 2003 remake, fabolous.... at first I didn´t expect so much of this new flick now I admit it still offers action,fun and gore loads of it¡¡¡

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