FRIDAY THE 13th PART 2
They killed Crazy Ralph!  Sons of bitches.

Trimmed to avoid an X back when that was something of a scandal, Part 2 in this series is directed by Steve Miner, who would go on to also do part three, then a bunch of chick flicks, and then that last Halloween movie. He's easily got the most extensive film directing career of anyone in this series, and that includes Cunningham. 

Five years after the events of part one (even though the movie came out one year later, so I guess this is sci-fi), another camp across the lake from Camp Blood is basically doing the same thing Camp Blood did - have the counselors come in early so they can die. This time, it's Jason himself, who's all grown up, on land, and geared up to look like the baddie in The Town That Dreaded Sundown. And by all accounts, Jason appears to have given Bay of Blood a look before going to town on these guys. But that's just what I hear - I'm waitin' on my copy in the mail right now. 

Of all the Friday movies, this one I think has the coolest look. Dry and dusty and very, very backwoods - if nothing else, I'll happily argue that this movie gives us a lot of atmosphere, if not much else. This one also has a really hot chick (with a really annoying dog) and one with some genuine personality - played by Amy Steel, who I last saw in a "Chicago Hope" episode. Really. Personality. She's the first character with personality in this series, and the only one we'll see for another two more installments. 

Despite the great atmosphere, Miner doesn't do much to turn the screws of suspense, and the killings are standard ol' set-em-up-knock-em-down jobs, although some are cooler than others (my own favorite - when this guy in a wheelchair gets a machete right in the face [homage to Dawn of the Dead?] and goes tumbling down this long, long stairway. 

Goofiest death: a POV stabbing of this dumb chick who just whines and sobs. I mean, Jesus, woman, run, fight, say "Look behind you!", anything!  

There's a foundation for a good movie here, but what ultimately comes about is even more middling than its predecessor.

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