Rating: 
Summary: A Disgrace to the Original
Review: This remake is awful. It loses all off the style and passion of the original. Just by seeing the cover I knew it couldn't be very good. You can't put the main villain on the cover of a horror movie, unless its a sequel and everyone already knows his identity. What ever happened to suspense? You'll ask that question a lot throughout the movie. The first problem that struck me while watching this movie was the teenagers in the van. They were just plain annoying. After 5 minutes I couldn't wait for them to die. Horror movies are supposed to be grisly and horrific. This isn't possible when the killing is something you are waiting impatiently for. This one is gorrier, but that is to be expected with all the new technology we have. However, more gore doesn't make it scary. You were shocked by the violence and gore in the first one. In this one you don't care at all. I actually laughed a few times. The screenplay is quite bad. The characters have lots of overdone, cheesy dialog to make them seem more like they are from the 70s , yet it is obvious that the actors are not. The movie drags on at certain points where it should be moving along, and the whole running time is a bit too long. The set has also lost its magic. The original had some of the most impressive set design ever. While it isn't too shabby in this one, it isn't half as good as the original. The one thing that is well done in this movie is the cinematography. It is well done. I don't know if that style would've worked in the original but it is quite impressive in this one. The movie tries to distinquish itself from the original by making noticeable changes, but instead makes things worse. This is probably the biggest mistake. The original was a movie that shouldn't be remade or redone. It is supposed to be THE Texas Chainsaw Masscre. It has such a distinct style and story that you just can't screw around with it. If you've seen the original you'll notice many differences, such as the girl being chased going to some fat ladies in a trailer house for safety instead of the sheriff at the convience store. However, I did think that some of the new torture scenes (like when Leatherface puts salt on some guy's wounds to make him suffer) were well done and might have actually improved the original. There are far too many people in 'The Family' and we learn too much about them, which brings me to my next topic of Leatherface. He is obviously a classic horror villain, but after seeing the remake you would never believe it. The menace and mystery of him is completely lost in scenes when he takes off his mask or when he gets his arm cut off. That was probably one of the lowest points of this movie. You just can't take a classic horror villain and start having his victims cripple him. It must be the other way around. In the end, this actually isn't a bad movie. Its a terrible REMAKE. The Texas Chainsaw Masscre would be at the bottom of my list for movies to remake, because it is a very unique classic. Everything was just right in the original, and you cannot remake it properly without duplicating it exactly. It would be like trying to remake Star Wars or Citizen Cane. There can only be one. So make the right choice and watch the original.
Rating: 
Summary: Much Better Than I Expected
Review: When I heard that Michael Bay was behind the "Chainsaw" remake, I was dismayed - not because of his public stance on violence in movies, because he makes plenty of violent movies, but because most everything he touches turns to crap. The producer of "Bad Boys" remaking "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre," the rawest, most original and unrelenting horror movie of the modern age? Oy vey! Of course, I went to see it anyway. There are three reasons why this movie succeeds: First, it is not a shot-for shot remake like so many Hollywood remakes (think Psycho.) There is no Franklin Character. There is a hitchiker, but she is a victim rather than a villain. It's more of a creative re-telling than a remake, and I feel this was a good decision. A true remake of this movie would have been pointless. Secondly, this movie, though much slicker than the original, manages to retain the claustrophobic, down-beat atmosphere of the first. It is a freakshow of the highest order and it really is very brutal and even...scary? I am one of those jaded horror fans that is hardly ever scared by a movie anymore. This one managed to scare me a couple of times. It manages to stay gritty and brutal even with its Hollywood gloss, and the result is some truly ugly stuff. Many people left the theater when I saw it (not because it was bad but because it made them feel bad) and this is a good indication of the film's success. Thirdly, the casting of R. Lee Ermy as the Sheriff is just brilliant. He steals the show from Leatherface. Look into R. Lee's eyes during the scene in the van, and you are looking into the eyes of pure evil. This is one scary sheriff and this scene definately made me squirm. So, if you are a horror fan, check it out (like you haven't already.)
Rating: 
Summary: Making A Case For Revisting "Leatherface"
Review: The original Texas Chainsaw Massacre from 1974, directed by Tobe Hooper, is a classic film. Its documentary like style and shocking images, coupled with using cannibalsm as a plot device made it a unique film experience. 29 years later, and following the surge in other film remakes, the story is "updated" for a 21st century audience. 1973-A group of five young folks, are traveling through the state of Texas, on the way to a rock concert. After picking up a wayward traveler (Lauren German), who fears for her life, the group soons finds themselves stranded and in need of help. Soon, they stumble on to the Hewitt property, thinking their worries are over. Little do Erin (Jessica Biel), her boyfriend Kemper (Eric Balfour), Morgan (Jonathan Tucker), Pepper (Erica Leerhsen) and Andy (Mike Vogel) realize they are about to meet their worst nightmare--"Leatherface" (Andrew Bryniarski). Produced by mega actioner Michael Bay, and directed by Marcus Nispel, the movie works out better than I thought it would. After all, the original is quite a film in its own right, and to my mind (at first) didn't need a remake. I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed the movie. It is quite gruesome and provides enough jolts to make your skin crawl--just as Hooper's did. Sure some of the conventions and characterizations are typical horror film cliches, but the filmakers still know how to make the story their own, while paying due respect to the original. Consumers have two versions of the DVD to choose from. As former film student and collector the New Line Platinum Series Special Edition 2 disc set is the only way to go. Disc 1 has three audio commentary tracks, with Bay, Nispel, the writers, cast members, and other production folk. All three of the tracks are well done and are a proper mix of information and fun. Disc 2 boasts a fine feature length documentary called Chainsaw Redux. In it, you will learn even more tidbits and on set secrets, covering all aspects of how the film came together. There's also a well done documentary on serial killer Ed Gein, the real life inspiration for this story, as well as Robert Bloch's Psycho--filmed twice for the big screen. The deleted scenes and alternate opening and ending, complete with an optional commentary mode, are interesting and good to see. A music video for the song "Suffocate", by the group Motogrator-from the soundtrack, an extensive art/photo gallery, really good cast screen tests, TV spots, theatrical trailers, and DVD-ROM content (websites script to screen etc) top off the set. But that's not all... You also get a set of "crime scene photos" and really kickin' collectible metal plaque cover for the set itself. Fans of the 74 version will be able to appreciate and should really enjoy the remake without losing anything for what has come before. Luckily though the extras help to make the film even better.
Rating: 
Summary: Wet T-shirt time!
Review: Hollywood are obviously running out of ideas for movies at the moment, as there are a lot of remakes appearing, including Starsky & Hutch and this to name but a few. But then again, these remakes will appeal to a whole generation, who haven't seen the originals. I'm not really a 70s horror movie fan to be honest. I saw Halloween and that put me off for life, I have never been so bored during a horror film as I was during that! When I watch horror movies, I'm normally one of those people who jumps the height of themselves (which isn't very high for me), but thankfully, not someone who screams right the way through the movie. This was one horror movie that I didn't do that. Instead, I was sitting there, literally not believing what was happening on screen. Heaven forbid you take your eyes off the screen for a crucial second, cos otherwise, you'll miss something! In some sense, the film is quite formulaic and predictable - it goes over the whole tried & tested bit of separating up the characters before killing them. I'm starting to notice this more and more in films, and it's really beginning to get tedious. Towards the end of the movie, Jessica Biel (Erin) seems to be competing in a wet T-shirt contest all by herself. Definitely aimed at the guys that whole bit, why else would it be in there? This is a great horror flick, if you want a little gore, especially in a suicide scene - there is an absolutely terrific shot, but you'll feel physically sick when you realise what is happening. I can't comment on the original, having not seen it, but having heard some comments, I guess this is a lot better!
Rating:
Summary: Good job!
Review: This remake is very good indeed. It is fairly different than the original one but it packs some excellent moments and the acting is also top notch. Is it the final black and white video of the two police officers getting killed in the basement real? Overall: VERY GOOD.
Rating:
Summary: Surprisingly good!
Review: Out of all the characters who struggle valiantly against the odds in this movie, Jessica Biel's tank top is the most sympathetic. But, try as it might, it cannot prevent its ample contents from bouncing around more than a room full of superballs. (This becomes strangely hypnotic, but a little tiresome, too.)
But I kid. Biel's bosom, after all, is only one of the body parts flying around in this remake of the 70's horror classic. Snobby diehard fans of the original have pooh-pooh'd the remake on the grounds that it isn't nearly as disturbing, and for the most part, they're right. But there is still plenty to admire about this movie. All the old horror conventions are present (the sheriff you can't trust, the forehead-slapping follies of the heroine-in-distress, the runny-nose tyke who becomes an "unexpected" ally, etc.), but they can be easily ignored since the characters and situations are portrayed so convincingly. The scenery-devouring R. Lee Ermy is particularly good as the loopy, menacing sheriff. And Leatherface still--even after the original and its ridiculous sequels--has the power to creep the bejesus out of you in ways that Freddy (with his lame one-liners) or Jason (with his lumbering stupidity) can't.
Whether you've seen the original or not, this one will no doubt have an effect on you. I found the bookends to the story especially creepy.
Rating:
Summary: TCM Remake is Average
Review: There's nothing special about this remake. "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre" has all the right ingredients for a successful horror picture, but it blows it in the end. In the early 1070's, a group of young adults (including Jessica Biel) drive in the middle of nowhere. Then they almost run over a corpse walking on the road. The girl is mortified because 'they' tortured her. Ok, bam, she's done. The kids flip out and try to find a phone, but of course they're in the middle of nowhere and a big, ol' house is conveniently right there screaming, "come in and die!" Typically, the children walk into the house and all hell breaks loose. Leatherface's dungeon is leaking, that boy needs to have that fixed. Then a crooked sherriff (R. Lee Ermey, who doesn't belong in this movie) appears and wraps up the body and calls it a day. You know the kids get it one by one and Leatherface actually reveals his real face. Disappointing. The guy is a big oaf and he trips all over himself while chasing these poor kids. What a goof! The inept creature cut his own leg with that chainsaw. He should've known it wasn't a toy! Then there's this kid with really fake, buck teeth. Why was he in this movie? There was no point for a lot of the 'family' members and they weren't nearly as sadistic as the original family in the 1974 classic. A plus to this movie and I have to quote from the Amazon.com review: "The camera lovingly photographs Biel's tank-topped bosom and sculpted abs as she's running in terror from a bloated, chainsaw-wielding, human-skin-wearing maniac." Even Richard Roeper pointed that out and gave the movie thumbs up. I remember other scenes where the girls are lying in the dirt, face first and they're coughing a lot because dirt was getting in their mouths. I thought that was funny! This movie had more laughs than scares and the ending was ridiculous. All and all, the movie will satisfy most horror movie buffs, but not highly intellectual people.
Rating:
Summary: Not that bad
Review: Like many other fans I was dreading seeing this remake. What's the point of remaking a film that added another dimension to the horror film? How can you possibly hope to compete with the original? The answer is that you can't. As soon as I saw Michael Bay was the producer(Armageddon, Bad Boys) I knew it wouldn't have the grit the original had. You can show all the hooks impaling people, body parts in jars, blood spattering and eye candy galore but the original worked perfectly because it felt like you were there. In other words:sometimes less is more. I liked this remake. it was faster paced than the original and never let you up for air. It's a popcorn movie and on those terms it works real well. The acting isn't great but what else is new in this genre? The writing at least offered more interesting scenarios than the original. The direction is pretty much by the numbers, again what else is new in this genre? I have two major gripes about the remake.
1. I thought it was a great idea showing the rest of the family. It would of worked had they given the "family" members something to do. All they seemed to do was prattle on at each other. It was pointless and that sucked because they really could have done a lot with that angle...oh well,what are you gonna do? They shouldn't of bothered. 2. The best thing about the original that made it so intense was the twisted humor. I still laugh hysterically when "dad" is bitching about what Leatherface did to the door. Sadly, that humor is nowhere to be found. So do yourself a favor and don't even attempt to think this version will out gun the original because it doesn't come close. Don't sell this film short either. It's 90 minutes of entertainment that certainly does that.
Rating:
Summary: Not as bad as has been said
Review: The controversial remake of the classic Texas Chainsaw Massacre may not be without it's flaws, but it isn't as bad as it has been reputed to be since it's release. While the remake doesn't live up to the sheer terror and gritiness of the original film, it succeeds on it's own as a more than solid horror film that is better than almost every other horror movie to have been released in the last few years. There are many similarities between this version and the original, most of all the storyline. Five young people (led by Jessica Biel) on a back Texas road pick up a hitchiker. Followed by a series of chilling events, they find themselves all picked off one by one by a chainsaw wielding maniac named Leatherface. Rookie film director Marcus Nispel and producer Michael Bay (director of Pearl Harbor, Armageddon, The Rock, and the Bad Boys films) used the much bigger budget to their advantage giving Leatherface a bigger family (including Full Metal Jacket favorite R. Lee Ermey), plenty of blood and gore, and enough lingering suspense to make the film worth watching. The gallows humor featured in the original isn't here, and the film is too long for it's own good, but it still manages to stand alone as a creepy and suspenseful horror film, even though it doesn't come close to matching Tobe Hooper's original masterpiece. This Platinum Series Special Edition is packed with plenty of extras that will satisfy even jaded horror buffs, and is definitely worth the extra cash.
Rating:
Summary: Good remake of a classic horror film
Review: This movie was surprisingly good. The film had excellent continuity and kept you interested during its entirity. The acting was so-so, but that sums up all horror films. However, I disagree with the person who said Jessica Biel was awful. I don't think she's a fabulous actress, but she did a good job of carrying the movie through each scene. She's a bit far-fetched for 70s though. In short, I really think you should see the first Massacre movie. It's creepy and low budget and down right good. Then, watch the new Massacre movie. It's high gloss and well directed and not to shabby for a remake. And by the way, this story is NOT REAL. Sorry buds, but it never ever happened. The only real thing in the story is the character Leatherface is loosely based on an individual who did some of Leatherface's things (like sewing on faces, etc).
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