Friday the 13th: 8-Movie Collection (1980-1989)

[BladeRunner2007]

Originally Posted by ravenus

For someone that has only seen Part 1 and 4 of this series more than 3 decades ago on VHS, and thought they weren't memorable but satisfied a certain itch in terms of the slasher flick with some gratuitous skin show, would people recommend this set? I'm not expecting cinematic manna, but I at least hope I don't get bored.

I don't think for me it's worth spending big money on the SF set, but 50 bucks ain't bad if the films are an easy watch, like the Universal Monster collections.

Go for it. They are all pretty consitant in quality and an easy watch. I have seem all of them at least more than 20 times. Highly entertaining slasher flicks with a great locations and especially the first couple films are quite atmospheric.

[Zillamon51]

Originally Posted by ravenus

[Show spoiler]For someone that has only seen Part 1 and 4 of this series more than 3 decades ago on VHS, and thought they weren't memorable but satisfied a certain itch in terms of the slasher flick with some gratuitous skin show, would people recommend this set? I'm not expecting cinematic manna, but I at least hope I don't get bored.

I don't think for me it's worth spending big money on the SF set, but 50 bucks ain't bad if the films are an easy watch, like the Universal Monster collections.

That's an easy recommendation from me. This is the quintessential slasher franchise. Halloween may be more artistic (particularly the first film), and the Nightmares more creative, but F13 is the reliable workhorse that consistently delivers the goods. Creative kills, babes showing skin, the summer camp setting and woodsy atmosphere, and an unstoppable killer who's a local legend come to life; these movies are the bedrock of slasher cinema.

And hey, if you get this set and like them, you can upgrade to the Shout collection while it's still in print. If they don't really do it for you, you can redeem the codes just to have access to them if you want to revisit them someday, and sell the set to get some money back.

[ravenus]

Thanks for the reccos guys!

[meremortal]

For casual fans, the old set is a great value. The original 8 movie collection is only around $20 new. That's not to say I wouldn't want the Shout set at some point. And they could be released to uhd one day since it's a reliable money making brand and plenty of people will re-purchase them again.

[ravenus]

I'm getting the newer 8-movie set even though it's more expensive because it has the newer masters for the first 4 films. I'm assuming, if I get the Crystal Lake Memories disc for a reasonable sum that'll be more than enough supplements for a non-diehard fan to get through in a long while.

[MechaGodzilla]

Originally Posted by ravenus

I'm getting the newer 8-movie set even though it's more expensive because it has the newer masters for the first 4 films. I'm assuming, if I get the Crystal Lake Memories disc for a reasonable sum that'll be more than enough supplements for a non-diehard fan to get through in a long while.

Yes indeedly. The 8-movie collection already includes a very decent selection of special features. You won't feel starved in that regard, especially not with Crystal Lake Memories added on top.

[evilive]

Priced down to $30 over at Amazon.

[ravenus]

So I got this set and the double pack of Crystal Lake Memories and Never Sleep Again. I'm wondering if I can watch 1-2 movies in the set and then go to the CLM coverage of those respective movies or would it still be spoilerific for the movies ahead? I feel it would be a nice way to space out the docu rather than try to watch it in one go.

[HarrisonJohn]

Originally Posted by ravenus

So I got this set and the double pack of Crystal Lake Memories and Never Sleep Again. I'm wondering if I can watch 1-2 movies in the set and then go to the CLM coverage of those respective movies or would it still be spoilerific for the movies ahead? I feel it would be a nice way to space out the docu rather than try to watch it in one go.

That's probably a good way to do it. I don't think CLM would jump ahead and spoil anything but after the first 2 F13s there really isn't anything all that important story wise to spoil, anyway.

[bigdaddyhorse]

Originally Posted by ravenus

So I got this set and the double pack of Crystal Lake Memories and Never Sleep Again. I'm wondering if I can watch 1-2 movies in the set and then go to the CLM coverage of those respective movies or would it still be spoilerific for the movies ahead? I feel it would be a nice way to space out the docu rather than try to watch it in one go.

Both of the docs pretty much go in order, covering the first film first and so on. I don't recall any jump aheads on either CLM or NSA. You'll be fine watching them right after the movies. I certainly wouldn't recommend watching the stuff for any part if you haven't seen that part yet though, then it will be full of spoilers.

[eselv73]

Originally Posted by ravenus

So I got this set and the double pack of Crystal Lake Memories and Never Sleep Again. I'm wondering if I can watch 1-2 movies in the set and then go to the CLM coverage of those respective movies or would it still be spoilerific for the movies ahead? I feel it would be a nice way to space out the docu rather than try to watch it in one go.

I would watch the movie and then the section from CLM on that particular movie right after. CLM is neatly seperated into chapters for each movie (plus the TV show) and won't spoil the later movies if you watch as you go. I did it last year when the box set came out and it was great.

[ravenus]

Over the weekend I watched the first 3 movies in the series. The first film was the only one I had seen on the blu-ray release (borrowed from a friend) and I'm glad I opted to get the new set with the remastered transfers because there is a definite image improvement with more suffused colors and finely rendered grain. The night time sequences of which there are many, look much improved in this newer version. Part 2 also looks pretty damn good in most part and I assume is superior to previous releases. Part 3 is a mixed bag because there are many shots that look soft and slightly out of focus, I don't know if it has something to do with the fact that it was originally shot in 3D.

As regards the films themselves, again 1&2 have a reasonably similar quality. It's not amazing cinema, but it's decent popcorn fodder. In part 2 the MPAA seems to have taken a heavier hand because several of the kills appear a lot more abrupt than in the predecessor. But I liked how the child psychology student heroine manages to overcome Jason at one point. Part 3 is actually the tamest and lamest of the lot so far (although it has some historical importance as the first installment where Jason wears the hockey mask he is identified with). Apart from having the most disjointed script with a very unlikely band of characters - who are John Lennon and Yoko Ono and why are they hanging about with the other people in that group? - this one is also devoid of naughty thrills. Even when the girls are having sex or showering they only display PG-rated levels of flesh (which is a waste since it got an R-rating anyway). The kills are nicely conceived for 3D, as are other moments with characters pointing or throwing stuff at the screen. Since I don't have a 3D capable display anyway, even if I had the Shout release I would not have been able to get the full effect.

Apart from the extras on the individual movie discs, I saw the corresponding chapters on the CLM documentary, which is how I intend to go with the rest of the set.

[stvn1974]

This release is missing the two best films of the series...Jason Goes To Hell and Jason X.

[Jay Mammoth]

Originally Posted by ravenus

For someone that has only seen Part 1 and 4 of this series more than 3 decades ago on VHS, and thought they weren't memorable but satisfied a certain itch in terms of the slasher flick with some gratuitous skin show, would people recommend this set? I'm not expecting cinematic manna, but I at least hope I don't get bored.

I don't think for me it's worth spending big money on the SF set, but 50 bucks ain't bad if the films are an easy watch, like the Universal Monster collections.

Love 1-6, 7 and 8 are pretty bad but the set omits the worst of the series.

[Zillamon51]

Originally Posted by ravenus

[Show spoiler]Over the weekend I watched the first 3 movies in the series. The first film was the only one I had seen on the blu-ray release (borrowed from a friend) and I'm glad I opted to get the new set with the remastered transfers because there is a definite image improvement with more suffused colors and finely rendered grain. The night time sequences of which there are many, look much improved in this newer version. Part 2 also looks pretty damn good in most part and I assume is superior to previous releases. Part 3 is a mixed bag because there are many shots that look soft and slightly out of focus, I don't know if it has something to do with the fact that it was originally shot in 3D.

As regards the films themselves, again 1&2 have a reasonably similar quality. It's not amazing cinema, but it's decent popcorn fodder. In part 2 the MPAA seems to have taken a heavier hand because several of the kills appear a lot more abrupt than in the predecessor. But I liked how the child psychology student heroine manages to overcome Jason at one point. Part 3 is actually the tamest and lamest of the lot so far (although it has some historical importance as the first installment where Jason wears the hockey mask he is identified with). Apart from having the most disjointed script with a very unlikely band of characters - who are John Lennon and Yoko Ono and why are they hanging about with the other people in that group? - this one is also devoid of naughty thrills. Even when the girls are having sex or showering they only display PG-rated levels of flesh (which is a waste since it got an R-rating anyway). The kills are nicely conceived for 3D, as are other moments with characters pointing or throwing stuff at the screen. Since I don't have a 3D capable display anyway, even if I had the Shout release I would not have been able to get the full effect.

Apart from the extras on the individual movie discs, I saw the corresponding chapters on the CLM documentary, which is how I intend to go with the rest of the set.

That's what I did the last time I marathoned the series. A movie a day, followed by the doc segment.

I consider Part 3 one of the weaker entries, but a lot of people here love it.

Please keep us updated as you continue. It's always fun to get the reaction of a first-timer!

P.S. Do you have the Elm Street set? Are you familiar with those?

[rocknblues81]

I'm one of the big fans of the 3rd movie. The best finale in the series.

[ravenus]

Originally Posted by Zillamon51

P.S. Do you have the Elm Street set? Are you familiar with those?

More familiar with that franchise. I have seen NoES up to New Nightmare (and of course Freddy vs Jason). I like it more because the dream aspect allows the movies to get a little more inventive visually and I at least regard the first one as a legit great movie. Only have the first on BD so far, because I have been hoping the franchise gets a decent HD makeover similar to FT13.

I would consider plumping for a more premium stacked set of that series if such a thing were to happen.

[DR Herbert West]

Originally Posted by rocknblues81

The best finale in the series.

^ This

[Matt89]

I like Part 3 more now than I used to. I loved it when I first saw it as a kid, then went through a period in my 20s where I hated it. But recently (the past few years) I've warmed up to it quite a bit once again. I'd probably agree that it has ONE OF the best finales in the series, it's only hampered by Dana Kimmell's awful acting and the ending is just, I'm sorry, dumb as f*ck. Other than that though, I've really come to appreciate its camp value and a lot of the characters are pretty likeable, unlike many of the later entries. Can't really go wrong with the first four, they were the golden age of Friday the 13th.

One thing I've found is how much I've come to love and appreciate the first film in recent years. Mind you I was always a fan, but for a long time Part 2 was my fav, then it was The Final Chapter and now I think it's probably the first film. It has atmosphere in spades and the setting and tone of the film is just great. Mrs. Voorhees is pretty ridiculous but I think the film sets up the lore extremely well, and it has excellent pacing for a slasher film. The first 6 are pretty endlessly watchable in my book, after that it's a pretty steady decline. A New Beginning you can appreciate for the sleaze factor, and Jason Lives blends horror and comedy surprisingly well. The New Blood is kind of stupid and the fact that it was cut to ribbons by the MPAA really really takes away from the movie. Jason Takes (a boat to) Manhattan is, well...just that. The lowest point in the Paramount-era films. I've only seen it in full three times. Once on VHS, once on DVD back in the early 2000s and then back in 2019 when a local theatre was screening it on 35mm. Super cool to see it on 35, but it was just as bad as I remembered it being and have zero interest in watching it again. Lol.

~Matt

[HarrisonJohn]

3 is the best chase sequence but I think also the best setting with the house, barn, bridge, dock, lake... it's the location I think of when I think Friday the 13th.