Better than the first one, for what it's worth. Amy Steel is an excellent final girl - great here, great in April Fool's Day, it's confounding that she didn't find considerable success as a scream queen. Ginny is the most compelling character to come out of either of the first two movies, likeable because she's
educated and sensible, which are two qualities in short supply around Camp Crystal Lake. She's also anomalous, however, because she's sexual and sardonic, much more edgy than other final girls of the time. She would beat up Nancy Thompson and steal her lunch money. Friday the 13th Part 2 isn't always sure what to do with her, as when the movie isn't killing hapless teenagers, it's forcing her to run through the woods ad nauseam. Honestly, this movie is almost dreamlike, primarily through its sense of repetition but also because you're never really sure what Jason is capable of. I'm sure the film just stumbled into this aesthetic, as there doesn't really seem to be much more thought in any other aspect of its creation, but it's still a step up from the threatening near-ugliness of the first Friday the 13th. Decently paced, well acted and moderately scary, this is a strong entry in the series and a worthy slasher.
January 22, 2007
