The Texas Chainsaw Massacre Part 2
Encyclopedia : T : TH : THE : The Texas Chainsaw Massacre Part 2
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 is a 1986 sequel to the 1974 horror film The Texas Chain Saw Massacre. The film is directed by Tobe Hooper, basing the characters on the original film. Writing credits also include Kim Henkel. The film stars Dennis Hopper as "Lefty" and Bill Johnson as "Leatherface". The film is considered by many fans and film critics to be one of the worst sequels of all time, mainly due to its stylistic departure from the first film. Unlike its predecessor (which had minimal gore and a documentary-style feel), this film sports a wildly over-the-top, almost operatic sense of campy black humor, as well as an array of gore effects by makeup maestro Tom Savini. Although it managed to recoup its meager costs, the film was considered a commercial flop. Since its initial release, however, it has developed a rather sizable cult following of its own. Its defenders claim it to be an intentional parody of the original Chainsaw, and point to the cinematography and surreal set design as homages to the French New Wave films of the 1960s. More recently, this entry in the series has been viewed as the dying nightmare of original film character Sally Hardesty, which helps explain the plot of the following sequel.
Notably, the original theater poster (shown at right) for TCM 2 is a parody of the poster for the John Hughes' 1985 teen movie The Breakfast Club, this image was also used on the original TCM 2 VHS box art.
Plot
The story opens as two rowdy high school seniors race out of control along an abandon stretch of Texas highway in route to a weekend of fun in Dallas. Heavily intoxicated and in the mood for some fun, these two hellions use their car phone to call in and harass on-air DJ, Vantia "Stretch" Block (Caroline Williams). Unable to convince the boys to hang up, Stretch is forced to keep the line open and later with what began as a simple game of chicken with a few good ole boys quickly turns into a nightmare as their gruesome deaths are caught on tape at the radio station. After a fourteen year absence, a legend has now emerges from the shadows.In steps Lieutenant "Lefty" Enright (Dennis Hopper), former Texas Ranger and uncle of Sally Hardesty and her invalid brother Franklin. It seems Lefty has spent the last fourteen years chasing their ghosts while investigating reports of mysterious chainsaw killings across Texas. Branded a kook by his peers, he is able to get the local paper to carry a tiny article about his quest and this sparks the interest of Stretch who brings him a copy of the tape. At first mortified, Lefty asks Stretch to play the tape on her nightly show. She does so as a special request from Lefty and terror comes a calling.
As the sounds of this horrible incidents echoes across the airwaves of Texas, a few of Stretch's fans decide to drop by for an unexpected visit. While preparing to leave for the night, she finds Chop Top (Bill Moseley), twin to the "Hitchhiker" (who was stationed in Vietnam during the first film) waiting out in the lobby. When she tries to get rid of him, out of the darkness comes Leatherface ready to rip her in two. But it seems the "saw" has taken a shining to Stretch and lets her live.
Controversy
- This film is banned in Australia, Germany, and many other countries including Norway, Sweden and Singapore, although when it was submitted for classifcation in some countries, classification boards were quite strict on content.
- When the BBFC notified Cannon (the distributor) that at least 20 minutes, and possibly 25, would have to be trimmed, Cannon aborted its plans for a planned UK release in 1990. Despite this, it is now rated 18.
- When originally submitted to the MPAA, it received an "X" certificate, prompting the filmmakers to release it as "unrated".However, TV previews,theatrical trailers and even the movie posters had this written statement"Due To The Nature Of This Film,No One Under 17 Will Be Admitted." When released on home video and DVD,it was given the R rating by the MPAA.
- The film remains banned in Australia. The original uncut version issued on video to retailers throughout Australia was done so illegally by a duplicating house, and without the knowledge of the OFLC (Office of Film & Literature Classification). When word leaked amidst the video industry a number of retailers nationwide were raided for possessing infringing copies, and the duplicating house was similarly raided by Federal Customs. The film remains unavailable to the Australian public, even in a censored form. But it has aired on Australian cable many times.
Trivia
- Joe Bob Briggs had a part as a movie critic which was later cut from the film, but due to a mix up in post production his name is still listed in the end credits.
- This film was intended to be a parody to the first film.
- A poster can be seen on the wall in the radio station for the band "Fine Young Cannibals."
- The "family group shot," as seen in the advertisements, posters and video covers, uses the same positioning as the promotional group shot for the movie The Breakfast Club (1985).
- Director, Tobe Hooper and co-writer of the original Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Kim Henkel originally had an idea for a sequel that would feature an entire town of cannibals. The title of that sequel was to be Beyond The Valley Of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, but it never came to fruition.
- The controversial "butcher cover" of The Beatles album "Yesterday and Today" can be seen hanging in the radio station.
- Director Cameo: [Tobe Hooper] Frolicking during a party scene.
- Jim Siedow is the only actor in this movie that was in the original.
Cast
- Dennis Hopper as Texas Ranger 'Lefty' Enright
- Caroline Williams as Vanita 'Stretch' Brock
- Jim Siedow as Cook (Drayton Sawyer)
- Bill Moseley as Chop Top
- Lou Perry as L.G. McPeters
- Bill Johnson as Leatherface
- Barry Kinyon as Buzz (Mercedes driver)
- Chris Douridas as Rick 'The Prick' (Gunner)
External links
| Movies in the Texas Chainsaw Massacre series | |
|
The Texas Chain Saw Massacre ... The Texas Chainsaw Massacre Part 2
' ... ' The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2003) ... | |
| Major characters: Leatherface · Sally Hardesty · Drayton Sawyer · Edward Sawyer· Chop Top · Sheriff Hoyt · Henrietta Hewitt· Old Monty | |
From Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Original article here. Support Wikipedia by contributing or donating.
All text is available under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License See Wikipedia Copyrights for details.