Movie Review: Top Gun

 Hey everyone, my name is Anthony and welcome back to my movie review.

For most movies back them, i always enjoy some films that are action theme like adventure, shoot'em up, sci-fi, combat and few others. But you know what other action theme that i also enjoy along with video game? Flight simulation and dogfight, its those kind that we like to have some action in the air or even testify the aerial skills, which is exactly we're going back to the 80's with everyone favorite film of flight simulation about decade before Mission Impossible.

"Top Gun" is an 1986 action drama that was directed by Tony Scott, produced by Don Simpson and Jerry Bruckheimer, and written by Jim Cash and Jack Epps Jr.

This film's idea came from the article "Top Guns" in California Magazine in May of 1983 involving fighter pilots Naval Air Station Miramar, aka "Fightertown USA", located on San Diego, California, this got some much intention Simpsons and Bruckheimer that they wanted to make a movie based on the article, but they had a hard time to be approved due to numerous rejections from writers, until Cash and Epps jr. are accepted to do the story involving pilot students on "TOPGUN" in Miramar with the experience of F-14. After found out the different idea from the script, they eventually gave a shot, along with the help of US Navy.

By the time the film was released on May 16th 1986 with $15 Million of budget, the film had a mixed, some people are appreciated for the action flight simulation, and dogfight along with good actors and memorable music, but it got criticized the pacing, saying we went from action, but then it got boring when we're not in the flight that it just dragged on. But the box-office is more of positive side with $176 Million domestically to a worldwide total of $357.1 million. My father had a fond memory of this film, even though he might prefer the action rather than ground scenes, i've heard the name many times, as well as seen from AVGN's take of Top Gun on NES, which the game itself is nothing by a crash landing for how it tried, but i've never seen it until i managed it, since, as im writing this, we have a sequel on the corner coming out.

So, with all that said, is this movie has the need for speed, or is this film feels foolish and dangerous as Maverick?

Well, lets find out.

The Story

For a movie about pilots' training, its a nice story going through, for the most part.

The movie begins on a text about the origin about US Navy creating school training for fighter pilots back in 60's that was called "TOPGUN", fast forward to present time (though it takes place in the mid-80's), the movie begins with a bang where Naval aviator Pete Mitchell, aka Maverick and Intercept officer Nick Bradshaw, aka Goose are stationed in USS Enterprise (No, not the Star Trek, i mean the aircraft carrier.) with F-14A Tomcat, as they launched, along with Cougar and Merlin they witnessed two hostile bogeys (aka MiG-28 with F-5s), resulting to do the interception, though its more like lock-on at one bogey, but Cougar and Merlin got targeted, leaving Mav and Goose goes after the second out with "Watch the birdie" to let them fly away (Oh Mav and Cougar, kids these days.), however, when they're going back to landing Maverick notices Cougar is shaken, due not just he misses his wife, but rather he's gonna miss his newborn, so, despite breaking the order, Maverick has to help Cugard to land carefully without running out of fuel. After the landing, Cougar is calling quit and stripping off his wings due to his family concern, the commander of Enterprise, Tom "Stinger" Jardian, scolded that despite their effort for the lock-up, but got defying the order to land the plane to the carrier, despite this, Maverick and Goose are being attended to the pilot school known as "TOPGUN" in Miramar. Its up to Maverick learn in school for the skills before the graduation, as well with qualifying his rival Tom "Iceman" Kazansky and got his attention to the instructor Charlotte "Charlie" Blackwood.

I find the story of this movie is, while its fascinating for a flight simulation in training in the school, but it feels like another one of those underdog movie for rising up, but with the flaws rather than being too perfect, but more about pointing the issue for reckless and the arrogance, which is exactly what its about, its about our main protagonist trying to following his order for his training for lock-on before graduate to become a fighter pilot, but trying to be sportsmanship without messing around at the engagement's rule and some pilot, which is something that Maverick needs to pay attention to the instructors, as well with some rivals, like Iceman or lieutenant commander Jester, as well is trying to be learned and motivated from Charlie while they're falling in love. However, the downside of this movie that while action scenes are fun watch (which il get to presentation later), sometimes, the movie just dragging on without the flight, but i understand that this is the purpose for not just hit the break, but rather focuses on the plot for building up for Maverick with screwing around, i understand what they're going for plot point, but the movie gets rather slow with the filler like playing volleyball, pilots and best buds singing and even the romantic scene between Maverick and Charlie, they're quite fun and beautiful, but again, do we really want those to be taken forever?

Despite the time that it takes forever, but at least the story is good, as well with some humor and some memorable lines, sure it can be cheesy as the 80's but at least its a good writing, for the most part.

The Presentation

For the movie's budget of $15 Million, it looks pretty damn good and beautiful, plus, a kick-ass music.

For the filming location, they wanted to the film takes place similar from the article, where it takes place in Miramar, San Diego, California. And its nice to place to following in the movie, especially with Fightertown USA (which is the nickname from Naval Air Station Miramar and the nickname sign is still there to this day) and bar Kansas City Barbeque (Though the name is loosely, since again, located on San Diego) with "Great Balls of Fire" scene and the ending is a nice place too, before the kitchen fire incident that ruined place's presentation where it used to in 2008, surprisingly, not only the restaurant was repaired and re-opened in the same year, but some old props is still there, including the piano where Goose played in the aforementioned "Great Balls of Fire".

Despite the non-action scenes that just dragged on, but of course, the highlights is the flight scenes. It looks pretty cool and also quite of risk when they piloting an actual fighter jets over the mountains and the ocean, despite the challenge, it is pretty amazing what they're going for. This was done with the help of VF-51 (Fighter Squadron 51), VF-111 (Fighter Squadron 111) and other squadrons to working with the crew members in order to demonstrating the flight with the famous F-14A Tomcat by Grumman. In fact, Grumman are commissioned by Paramount in order to use this plane for the flight actions, even if it caused a lot, like US$7,800 per hour for the fuel (or $19,700 in today's cost) and US$25,000 for being involved with the aircraft carrier (or $63,000 today's cost).

Of course, the filming and the stunts with the jests that i mentioned what they're going for is not only amazing, but also beautiful shot from the sunlight with the aircraft carrier, romantic scene between Maverick and Charlie and couple others. Plus, some scenes also gotta be credited with some memorable moments, the two famous scenes of "Watch the Birdie" and "Buzzing the tower", while Tom does some flights but some of those mentioned scenes Maverick's stunt double is played by Scott Altman, who'll later working as an astronaut with NASA in the 90's to the millennium before retired, in fact, when he looked back about Top Gun, he had a blast to work on this movie, sure he may have some challenge like the "Buzzing the tower" scenes took 9 takes in his Tomcat flight, but he had fun work with them.

However, despite some fun credits, but some are unfortunately had some tragic, the late Art Scholl was hired to do the in-flight camera work, where it was originally to do flat spin in the original script, however, when he performed the stunt like spinning, he was losing his control, saying that he had a problem on radio communication and he's unable to control his flight, he spun out of control and crashed on Pacific Ocean next to Carlsbad, he died from a fatal jet crash from his stunt gone badly on September 16, 1985 with the age of 53. Again, its quite of risk to do the filming in jet fighters to pulled the stunt like this incident, and yes, the give a memoir credit to the late Art Scholl, R.I.P. man...

And lastly that i wanna give is the soundtrack, and let me tell you, the soundtrack is pretty damn good to listening, though its somewhat cheesy, but its the good kind of cheese to taste the music.

Of course, the most signature song of this movie is "Danger Zone" by Kenny Loggins, its catchy and bombastic to perfectly fits for the action flight with Tomcat, its no wonder why it received one Gold and two Platinum certifications.

The second song is "Mighty Wings" by Cheap Trick, its sorta like "Danger Zone", but this one goes Hard Pop Rock style, its catchy and loud to once again, in flight with Tomcat's "Mighty Wings" (Sorry...), its a shame that it didn't get a lot of attention, but hey, its a pretty damn good song. In fact, this song got an subconsciously inspired from Street Fighter 2 composer Yoko Shimomura for taking a similar song for Ken's theme music in this game, i guess its no wonder why many people, including my shout out to @MDTartist83, how those two songs are similar, nice touch.

The third is "Take My Breath Away" by Berlin, this one is obviously used during the loving chemistry between Maverick and Charlie, even if the song is kinda all over, despite its slowly catchy and smooth in synth pop song, especially its been played in radio a couple of times along with Danger Zone. Though unlike Danger Zone, Take My Breath Away actually won the Oscar of Best Original Song in 59th Academy Award, well done, Berlin.

And last but not least for my favorite, its the main song "Top Gun Anthem" by Harold Faltermeyer and Steve Stevens. I know its used for the movie soundtrack and it constantly played in the movie, but i loved it, it has the build up the action, the preparation of the fighter jets and of course, adding the emotion for the piano and the main electric guitar, its so 80's of classic for a movie soundtrack, and its no wonder why it won the award's category "Best Pop Instrumental Performance (Orchestra, Group or Soloist)" in 29th Grammy Awards, nice touch.

While some had a risky stunt to led to tragic death, but the filming shots, the actions with jets and the soundtrack of songs and the main theme are impressively done.

The Characters

While they're just straight forward, but these characters are both fascinating and memorable.

Lets start off with our main protagonist, Pete Mitchell, better known as Maverick (played by Tom Cruise), he's our underdog pilot that after intercepting to looking after the bogey, he's sent to TOPGUN to testify his skills, but as we all know, he's pretty reckless and arrogant that he wants to prove anybody and himself to be the best in TOPGUN, but the pilots, his lover Charlie and others said otherwise, cause having his risky skills and hotheaded persona won't match in the school to outqualify Iceman. Though he does trying to change, even if he still has arrogance in his system, pretty much being overconfident to win. Despite being overconfidence, he's still a memorable character in the movie, of course, Tom Cruise did a nice work of his role.

Next up is Maverick's love interest Charlotte "Charlie" Blackwood (played by Kelly McGillis), she's the instructor of TOPGUN where not only she's our love interest, but she's also trying to pay attention to our main hero when it comes to sportsmanship for piloting a fighter jet, even though she tries to give compliment when Maverick has a hard time from criticisms based on her performance. In interesting note, Charlie is based on a real life person Christine Fox who used to work on Marine Corps Air Station Miramar. Kelly did a nice work for both respectful and caring for Maverick in order helping Maverick to improve his performance without going out of control.

After that, we have Ton Kazansky, aka "Iceman" (played by Val Kilmer), he's the top student in TOPGUN program for his perfect performance and cold act. And of course, being a rival and possibly a good pal to Maverick. He's such a fascinating character in this movie, he's basically the typical "Mr. Perfect" in TOPGUN program for his high performance and has a memorable dialogue, especially in the locker room scene for his consideration, where Maverick embraces his performance in his rivalry. Even though Val was originally wasn't to be in this movie, but surprisingly he did a nice work of Maverick's rivalry, even though its a damn shame that in nowadays, he has voice box from cancer he had since 2017's report.

Then we have Nick Bradshaw, aka Goose (played by Anthony Edwards), he's Maverick's not just partner as radar intercept, but also his best pal since the beginning. However, despite being Maverick's partner he has a limited appearance in this movie, since we focused on Maverick, it will be more fun if he shows his development to having him being important friend from Maverick and maybe helping our hero for not going too far as a pilot, but of course, Anthony did a fun work of his role, whether is being best bud or "Great Balls of Fire" scene.

And finally, we have Mike Metcalf, aka Viper (played by Tom Skerritt) a commending officer and instructor of TOPGUN program that he's actually a veteran pilot back in Vietnam War. He's a sorta mentor of our main hero, but to make sure for paying attention to our main hero when he was reckless. Even though he's a serious instructor, but he's also rooting for Maverick without making any trouble, of course, Tom did a nice work of his role, in fact, he actually used to be part of US Air Force back in early to mid 50's before going in acting career.

As for the rest of the characters, they have some unique names, but they either have nice persona or just being there.

Rick Heatherly, aka Jester (played by Michael Ironside), another instructor, but as a Naval Aviator, and interesting note, he'll later having his great voice acting of Darkseid in DC cartoons like Justice League, Sam Wells, aka Merlin (played by Tim Robbins) is part-time sidekick that he used to be with Cougar from the beginning, Bill Cortell, aka Cougar (played by John Stockwell) a short-lived pilot who's calling quit due to his shaken feeling for unable to see his wife and newborn, and Tom Jardian, aka Stinger (played by retired actor James Tolkan), the commander of USS Enterprise.

These characters while some has limits, but they have fascinating have some memorable moments.

SPOILER ALERT if anybody seen the movie or don't mind

Things about to going down to our hero, but eventually recovered.

During the competition for who's earning TOPGUN's trophy, Maverick and Iceman are both ordered to chase the A-4, however, Maverick didn't realized that Iceman is above him for high chase, leaving Maverick going hotheaded that he wants to win so badly, but everything went down due to Iceman's aircraft of jet washing and flameout (aka jets in malfunction), causing Maverick and Goose going down with dizzying from flat spin, but Maverick eventually hits the eject to escape nicely, but not too safe enough, when Goose got hit by canopy so hard, it caused his life way too soon, leaving Maverick felt devastated and trying best to continue his career, but due his effect from Goose's death, he's completely given up for TOPGUN, leaving Charlie and other pilots felt sorry for him that despite they wanted to console him, but he gave up to calling a day.

However, he's visited by Viper to comfort him that not only he gives Maverick an advice to improve his motivation, but he also coming out of his classified to find out he's been there before, where he used to be partner with Duke Mitchell (who happens to be Maverick's late father) back in Vietnam War and in his classification, despite Duke died during the war, he proclaimed that Maverick's father lived like hothead and died like a sacrificed hero, understandable about the past, Maverick chooses to coming back for graduation, while Iceman earned the trophy. But the celebration didn't last long, the USS Enterprise is called that its time for the battle between them and SS Layton, so Maverick (along with Merlin as a new partner), Iceman and Hollywood (played by Whip Hubley) are going back to the Enterprise for the climatic aerial dogfight. It started badly where Hollywood is down that Maverick is on the go with Iceman as his wingman, however, Maverick had a rocky start with nearly losing his control and nearly flying away due to Goose's death, but he eventually recovered his painful past and went back to helping Iceman to fight against the bogeys, despite Maverick is outnumbered, but Maverick refuses to leaving his wingman, after Iceman eventually shot down one bogey, he ended up got hit by the other bogey's bullets, meaning Maverick is in his turn to fight back, including pulling his old risky trick where he hit the brake to let the last one go in front and shot it down, after two remaining bogeys left, the mission has completed both Maverick and Iceman that they're happy for the team work and respect, along with Maverick threw Goose's tag away that its time to moving on.

And in the end, upon his graduation, he's offered for choosing assignment, Maverick chooses to going back TOPGUN as an instructor much like Charlie, both them reunite together and Maverick lived happily ever after to became a teacher for new kids in TOPGUN program.

It is quite of emotional ride from depression for losing his partner to eventually regain his confidence in his aerial dogfight scene, of course the dogfight scene is pretty good to see the epic battle in the air.

And now for my final opinion of this movie.

Overall, Top Gun is a pretty good action drama film in the 80's, its writing is nice and good kind of cheese, the production is impressive, the characters are good and fun acting. While the story is well-written, but sometimes, it could've tone down the timing to more focus on action than the non-aerial scenes, as well with some troublesome behind-the-scenes story of aerobatic died too soon, but in fairness, the production is impressively beautiful and the story is good, for the most part.

If you're a fan of either Tom Cruise, an aerial dogfight or curious about Top Gun, this is the film that you'll definitely check it out with your friends and family, and im definitely sure some people had a fond a memory of this movie.

For may rating, its not the most perfect film ever, but at least i may have fun for watching it, so im giving it an 8/10.

So this ends of my movie review, if you guys have your opinion or any suggestions, let me know at comment bellow and support me on https://ko-fi.com/blackevil.

Thanks for reading, and im Anthony, signing out.

Movie Review: Friday the 13th 1980

Hey everyone, my name is Anthony and welcome back to my movie review.

Well, its Friday the 13th, after my review of the original Halloween and 2018 sequel with the same name, i think i need a break to me dealing with Michael Myers, because instead, i decided to jump shift to one of my favorite films that i've ever heard next to Halloween, that is Friday the 13th, a series involving a hockey masked murderer named Jason Voorhees takes his brutal and bloody threat at anybody on Crystal Lake. However, we gotta go back in time to talk about the first film, but without Jason, yet.

The original "Friday the 13th" is a 1980 indie slasher film that was produced and directed by Sean S. Cunningham and written by Victor B. Miller.

Ever since Halloween was not only a huge hit at the box-office, but considered as not only the greatest horror film, but also brought the birth of Slasher genre (though debatable when we had Black Christmas as i mentioned before, but that's a different story.), this gave the inspiration from Sean, after putting an ads to sell the film in Variety magazine to make money, he asked his buddy Victor to make their own Halloween film, but instead of creepy stalker going after one woman to death, this time, taking place an abandoned camping site due to a murderous event and they took a short times to make in 1979 until its done and released on May 9th 1980 and it was cheaply costing $550,000.

When the movie came out, the movie was a major hit at the box-office by earning $59.8 million, quite impressive as an indie slasher film. But despite the big money they received, it didn't do well, mainly a mixed result both critics and audience, some loved this movie for the building suspense, the twist and the killings, while some hated due how cheap and dragged on forever before the action. Though as time went on, it still divided with same problem that i mentioned before, but of course, we have the fans loved this movie so much, especially called this movie as a classic and a prime example of Jason's tragic origin. Of course, this movie became a franchise with sequels, a crossover duel with Freddy Krueger from "A Nightmare on Elm Street". a remake, a comic with not just Freddy, with Ash Williams from Evil Dead and even video games with the bastardized NES version, a modern version that it came out in 2017 (until the server is closed and canceled future plan like Jason X due a Victor and Sean's legal threat, unless if the publisher Gun Media could make a make a deal to admitted their mistakes, just saying) and Jason became a guest fighter in Mortal Kombat X.

So, with all that said, will this movie is still a classic as we all know, or maybe this movie just comes off as too slow for our patience?

Well, lets find out.

The Story

For a movie about "who's done it?" and the early slasher like Halloween, the story is simple, even if the movie is just too long to get through.

The movie begins on a prologue in 1958, where the campers in Camp Crystal Lake are all hanging out with guitar in front of fireplace, however two camp lovers (Barry and Claudette) are planning to sexing each others, but got interrupted and murdered by the first-person killer. Fast-Forward to present time (aka 1979), the new camp counselor named Annie is planning to going on Crystal Lake based on hearing the reopening with a help of lifting with trucker Enos, after getting bombarded with warning by old man named "Crazy Ralph";

Crazy Ralph: You'll never come back again!

Enos: Oh shut up, Ralph!

Nah, you don't need to "Shut up Ralph" if he better have a nice lift from his bike after saying it has a "Death Curse", eh? Anyway, as Annie got a lift, Enos told about the past when young boy was drowned in 1957 and in 58, dead bodies where found, which Annie was dropped out, after got a lift and dropped out from a Jeep, she was chased by the first-person and ended up getting killed from the throat slit opened. Meanwhile, we introduced more campers joining in, Bill, Marcie, Ned, Brenda and Jack coming to Crystal Lake's reopening by Steve Christy and our main camp protagonist Alice. While they're hanging out in camping, some campers may or may not noticed that somebody who's watching, its up to them to figuring out, or not?

The story itself is basic as we can believe, though its nice to go for having where did all begins along with a tragic backstory how Crystal Lake went very badly about a young boy being drowned without realization, but the major downside is that movie's plot seems to be forgotten, due to the fact that we focused too much on camp counselors minding their own business of swimming, playing stripping monopoly and the most common clichés of any horror or slasher flicks, sexing, drinking, and smoking dope. Its super obvious we've seen what the characters do in the movie without noticing a mysterious murderer in the camp, which the plot wouldn't happen until we get to the third act for the climax.

While the story is simple and has memorable plot origins the mysterious killer with young boy's drowning, but the execution just comes off as too slow, which leads us to the next subject.

The Presentation

For a movie cheaply costs $550,000, the film's presentation is surprisingly well done, for the most part.

For the filming location, they filmed in Warren County, New Jersey like Hardwick, Blairstown and Hope, and as for The Voorhees signature location "Camp Crystal Lake", it took place in a boy scout camp called "Camp No-Be-Bo-Sco", located on Hardwick and this place is still open to this day for only summer. Its a pretty nice location pick of this movie and its not hard to know why many considered that Crystal Lake is fictionally taken place in New Jersey or The Voorhees family as Jersey people, eh?

However, like i mentioned before, sometimes the filming just dragged on forever before we get the climatic moments, sure we have the atmosphere filming of the lake with windy and storm coming is beautifully filmed that i like to give a credit for the build up. But sometimes, they filmed a completely unnecessary scenes like where Alice preparing a coffee in One Take, which is it a reason to this scene?! We didn't asking for this?? I know this was meant we catch a break from a horrifying moments, but the coffee scene is no reason to be in the final cut.

As for the design and the effects, it is pretty cool and surprisingly somewhat gory with the blood of slicing, stabbing and impaling, this is all thanks to the favorite horror effect and make-up artist named Tom Savini, he had done plenty a unique bloody and gory effect (including Dawn of the Dead that he also acted in the movie), these include Annie got sliced open that he putted a rubber prosthetic that after cut open Annie moved her jaw to make it bleeding out 

The scene of Marcie go Ax'd to her head was done in Savini's favorite trick, where we see that its a real ax, but when she got brutally killed form an ax, it was obviously a fake prop with mortician wax on her head, not to mention have a to noise of one with clinging noise from the late to stabbing noise.

And of course, the most memorable kill is the scene where Jack get caught by the mysterious killer and got impaled by a spear behind the bed, its brutal and bloody to look at. However the effect was done with problem, they originally using a blood tube's pump to bleeding out, but it got malfunctioned, so Savini's assistant and best bud Taso Stravakis had no choice but to using the tube to blew the blood out, understandable for the issue, but at least Taso tried his best to make a blood spurting out after Jack got impaled to death from bellow.

While the rest of the killing effect was obviously either done with tissue on the body like Ned got sliced open from his throat, Christy got stabbed (despite he got stabbed of screen very briefly), as well as decorating dead bodies like Brenda got killed by probably shot by arrows, but once she got tossed in the building (aka Tom Savini cross-dressed as Brenda as stunt double), we see her got bloody moldy and wrapped around the ropes or even Bill got pinned to wall and shot by arrows, pretty unique, but the skin of his head just doesn't match from his hands what i noticed.

As for how many dead bodies in this film, well like always, i watched Dead Meat's Kill Count that this film has 10 dead bodies, not bad.

However, one part that really upsetting and pissed me off when i found is the scene where the campers killing a snake, supposedly, they wanted to make a fake snake, but they borrowed one crew member's pet snake and they deliberately killed it on-screen without realizing the crew member's pet owner, like WTF was other members were thinking?!

And lastly, aside the problems that i have, another memorable presentation of this movie, is the soundtrack that was composed by Harry Manfredini, while i like the suspense and the build up part of the soundtrack, especially that im easily aware its a reference from the 1960's Psycho, along with the chorus of "ki-ki Ma-ma" that was used a lot, even if this is like before of "ki-ki... Him-him(?)". Though sometimes he composed a different style like when Alice in a canoe with a peaceful music (or is it?) or the most out place, is the scene where campers driving a pick-up on the drive-way with a country style music with a banjo?? Talk about out of context from that music.

While the movie has a problem of dragged on filming, problematic backstage story and some effect issue, the presentation is impressively done with its atmosphere filming, the effect of the kills and a well composed soundtrack.

The Characters

As we expected for horror films, we got a bunch of obvious dimensional characters, it doesn't matter for the actors, they're doing fine and some had a fun, its just that its like we play a bingo of cliché characters that we easily know.

First, we have Alice Hardy (played by Adrienne King), a main and last survivor in the movie, she's described as an aspiring artist who's hired by Steve Christy, she may look beautiful and she's sorta shy, i find her alright, even though she's not my fav last survivor of Slasher films like say, Laurie Strode from Halloween. But il give a credit for Adrienne King, she did a nice work of her role, even if one time she had a troublesome story where she was stalked and held hostage by a stalking fan, but eventually saved and recovered by her respectful fans.

Next up is Crazy Ralph (played by the late Walt Gorney), a warning old man who said he has a message from God when he explains that Crystal Lake has a "Death Curse" that they'll never coming back again, or should he say "Doomed. You're all doomed!". He's such a unique character in the movie, mainly for the delivery from Walt Gorney, being an old man in combine of going crazily for the danger and predicting of the campers going to die. Which yes, he's definitely for the plot purpose for the build up of the body counts to think twice or be dead by a mysterious killer.

And the last notable character is Jack (played by Kevin Bacon), who's basically a generic romantic man with Marcie. Its quite fascinating to noticing him that aside from his infamous kill from a impale spear from bellow, but rather a breakthrough of Kevin Bacon, he started well in "National Lampoon's Animal House", but after Friday the 13th, he became more famous with 80's classic movies like Footloose, The Big Picture, as well with the 90's like Balto, Apollo 13 and Tremors. Quite of fascinating run, but if you watching documentaries of Friday the 13th, Bacon didn't make appearance to explain his life of this movie, talk about too good for a horror film once he switched to some great films like the aforementioned Footloose. Aw well, at least Bacon did a nice work of his early career before his breakthrough.

As for the rest of the camp consolers and non-campers, there's not much else about them, just the obvious generic horror characters that, again, feels like playing a Bingo of clichés.

Here's Steve Christy (played by Peter Brouwer) is a new owner of Camp Crystal Lake for reopening before he left for his stuff without realizing that there's a killer in the camp, Marcie (played by Jeannine Taylor) who's Jack's lover for obvious sexing, Ned (played by Mark Nelson) who's a camper being a goof who can't stop looking for love and near risky arrow shooter, Brenda (played by the late Laurie Bartram) is a responsible girl with her not-much personality, Bill (played by Harry Crosby, who's the son of Bing Crosby, fascinating) who's Alice's love-interest, but pretty much another not-much personality one, Annie (played by Robbi Morgan) is the camper going on her own before get killed by a mysterious killer and Enos (played by the late Rex Everhart, aka Maurice from Disney's Beauty and The Beast in 1991), a truck driver who gives Annie a ride, along with explaining an urban legend about the boy got drowned in 1957, he's basically a nothing character who gave us a plot development for what happened.

And lastly that im saving for last is the Voorhees. From before, we though Jason is the killer in the first one, but if you watched Scream, we all know its not true. The main antagonist in this, is Mrs. Voorhees (played by the late Betsy Palmer), the mother of Voorhees family who goes after the campers to pay the deadly consequences due to the campers didn't noticing Jason was drowned. She's easily a memorable character in the movie, an evil mother that at we first we have a sympathy on her for what happened, but once she's snapped to find out the truth, she's going full on madness of killing spree over her son Jason (along with imitating her son from her mind to protecting him back then before drowning, kinda like Psycho, but reversed). I gotta say, Betsy did an amazing work of her antagonist role of this movie, even if she's not a huge fan of both horror and the script they gave her back then (sucks for her, but hey, she did a nice job back then).

As for Jason (played by Ari Lehman) he was only mentioned and briefly shown at the third and final act, even though this was before he became a vengeful killer that we all know and loved. Despite we briefly see him, but Ari said that he had a blast for talking about his role on convention, as well as having his punk/rock group with a name "First Jason", which is obviously based on being the first person who played Jason, quite of fun person that he likes to share his time as the man who brought as Jason.

The some of actors had some notables that we all know and loved, but the characters are not much special and pretty clichés, but at least we have some memorable like Alice, Crazy Ralph and The Voorhees.

SPOILER ALERT for those who haven't seen the film or don't mind

The final act in this movie is definitely the highlight of this movie, aside of the body counts.

After a long and unnecessary scene of Alice doing a coffee, she's looking around about her lover Bill, but it was too late that we see Bill got shot by arrows to the door, causing her into a panic mode to placing stuff in front of the door (again, in a long take that it also dragged on!), but not before the dead body of Brenda being thrown in the cabin with also get shot by arrows (though pulled out for shooting Billy) and roped up, causing Alice even more in panic to leave, but not before a car lights coming in for help, who happens to be Mrs. Voorhees. After hugging out to comfort, as they enter in i guess attempt to cleaning up the mess, Mrs. Voorhees seen dead bodies that she ended up having a Vietnam flashback, where she explains the reason why the Camp Crystal Lake was closed due to the discovery of dead bodies? Well, it turns out she blamed the camp counselors that they didn't pay attention about her son Jason was drowned, because all they were busied of sexing, which it explained her motivation of killing people over her drowned son, and so, she proceeds to chasing after Alice in attempt to killing her, as well as acting like her son in her mind where he wants to stop Alice as Mrs. Voorhees will as a psychotic protective mother. Aside of chasing, Alice and Mrs. Voorhees are both having a melee fight both indoor and outdoor (which Betsy Palmer and Adrienne King did their own stunts. including one moment where Betsy actually slapped King in the fight scene, but good thing King or Betsy didn't pulled a Bodyslam on a beach lake), but after a long fight, Alice proceeds to executing Mrs. Voorhees by decapitation with a machete (Alice Wins - Fatality  And lastly when Voorhees was decapitated, she's played by Savini's bud Taso Stavrakis with hands lifting to bleeding out of neck tube). After killing off the main villain, she takes a canoe to relaxing until mourning where she sees a police for help, but SURPRISE!! A drowned boy Jason comes out of lake to kidnapping Alice to drowning her!! But it turns out, it was a NIGHTMARE that Alice was rescued in hospital, though the policeman and a doctor comfort her that it was all fine, but Alice felt that Jason might be alive, a cliffhanging ending that Jason is probably survived from drowning, but more like he was lost in the forest and wants to see his beloved mother.

Aside of dragging on, the climatic battle between Alice and Mrs. Voorhees is a memorable part of the film for a fight to a jumpscare ending where we see Jason coming out of lake heart punching of fear, even though it was a dream, it still scary that we easily believing that Jason is out there.

And now for my final opinion of this film.

Overall, the first Friday the 13th is a well filmed movie with a beautiful view (despite the low budget), an not bad story (if its not focused), some characters are memorable and the killing are quite fun to look at.

However, the movie is suffered with problems with dragged on moments that we never asking for, the writing could've gone better for focus more on story than watching campers doing stuff, some characters have typical personalities that we've seen or heard from previous horror/slasher films and of course, some of behind scene story could be questionable, but at least the effects of killing is better than killing a real snake.

Even though some people consider this as a classic film, but this is the film that its not really a recommended film its too slow, too boring and we just want to see some surprise and action than unnecessary scene in a long minutes, i guess its no wonder why this film might be a reason why some people like to skip ahead to something better.

For my rating, im gonna give this one a 5/10. Its a nicely made film in a low budget, but could've gone better.

So, you're probably wondering if im going to reviewing the sequels of Friday the 13th? Well, i probably think so, if i have a free time to watch the sequel, despite review some recent films and F1's racing events.

Anyway, so this ends of my movie review, if you guys have your opinion or any suggestions, let me know at comment bellow and support me on https://ko-fi.com/blackevil.

Thanks for reading, and im Anthony, signing out.