It's a gory, stylish, and occasionally scary push-button factory of shocks and shrieks remarkably better than anyone had the right to expect.
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2003)
Tomatometer
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Reviews Counted:151
Fresh:54
Rotten:97
Average Rating:4.8/10
Consensus: An unnecessary remake that's more gory and less scary than the original.
Rated: R [See Full Rating] for strong horror violence/gore, language and drug content
Runtime: 1 hr 38 mins
Genre: Horror/Suspense
Theatrical Release:Oct 17, 2003 Wide
Box Office: $80,148,261
Synopsis: On August 20th, 1973, police were dispatched to the remote farmhouse of Thomas Hewitt, the former head-skinner at a local slaughterhouse in Travis County, Texas. What they found within the confines... On August 20th, 1973, police were dispatched to the remote farmhouse of Thomas Hewitt, the former head-skinner at a local slaughterhouse in Travis County, Texas. What they found within the confines of the cryptic residence was the butchered remains of 33 human victims, a chilling discovery that shocked and horrified a nation in what many still refer to as the most notorious mass murder case of all time. Wearing the grotesque flesh masks of his victims and brandishing a chainsaw, the killer, known as “Leatherface,” would gain infamy when sensational headlines were splashed across newspapers throughout the state of Texas: “House of Terror Stuns Nation – Massacre in Texas.” Local authorities would eventually gun down a man wearing a leathery mask and declare they had their killer, which abruptly closed the case; however, in the years that followed, many close to the grisly murder case would come forward to level accusations that police had botched the investigation and knowingly killed the wrong man. Now, for the first time, the only known survivor of the killing spree has broken the silence and come forward to tell the real story of what happened on a deserted rural Texas highway when a group of five young kids inadvertently found themselves besieged by a chainsaw-wielding madman, one who would leave a trail of blood and terror that would forever become known as “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre.” New Line Cinema presents The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, a terrifying journey into a heart of unimaginable darkness as five young adults are stranded in a rural Texas town, only to find themselves fighting for their lives against Leatherface and his bizarre clan. Inspired by the 1974 classic film of the same name, the new film stars Jessica Biel, Jonathan Tucker, Erica Leerhsen, Mike Vogel and Eric Balfour. Co-starring are screen veteran R. Lee Ermey, Lauren German, David Dorfman, Andrew Bryniarski, Terrence Evans, Heather Kafka and Marietta Marich. Marcus Nispel, the mastermind behind many of the most powerful images and story-telling themes in contemporary music videos and commercials, makes his feature film directorial debut. New Line Cinema presents in association with Michael Bay and Radar Pictures a Platinum Dunes/Next Entertainment Production. The film is produced by Michael Bay and Mike Fleiss. The executive producers are Ted Field, Jeffrey Allard, Guy Stodel, Andrew Form and Brad Fuller. The screenplay is by Scott Kosar (based on a screenplay by Kim Henkel and Tobe Hooper). The creative behind-the-scenes team is led by cinematographer Daniel Pearl (who also served as director of photography on the original 1974 release), production designer Greg Blair, costume designer Bobbie Mannix, special effects make up artist Scott Stoddard, special effects coordinator Rocky Gehr, editor Glen Scantlebury and composer Steve Jablonsky. New Line Cinema will release The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (rated “R” by the M.P.A.A. for “strong horror violence/gore, language and drug content”) in theaters nationwide on October 17th, 2003. [More]
Starring: Jessica Biel, Jonathan Tucker, Eric Balfour, Erica Leerhsen
Starring: Jessica Biel, Jonathan Tucker, Eric Balfour, Erica Leerhsen, Mike Vogel, Lauren German, R. Lee Ermey
Director: Marcus Nispel
Director: Marcus Nispel
Screenwriter: Scott Kosar
Producer: Michael Bay, Mike Fleiss, Andrew Form
Studio: New Line Cinema
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Reviews for The Texas Chainsaw Massacre
Perhaps it's my fault that I'm unwilling to accept this new type of horror movie, and this review is evidence of my stubbornness.
While the original gave us a snuff film on the origins of violence, the only significant contribution of the remake is a chance for R. Lee Ermey to act crazy.
It might be dumbed down when compared to its predecessor, but it gains an immeasurable amount of visceral impact as a result.
After seeing the remake, I felt happy that the 90 minutes was finally over.
Movies of this genre are a refuge for that variety of no-name young actors who confuse hanging on a meat hook with career momentum.
Let's get this "based on a true story" thing straight, once and for all.
While it can't really compare to Tobe Hooper's brilliant original, this Michael Bay produced remake is surprisingly decent.
Being trapped in the theatre with this movie is almost as bad as being trapped in the Hewitt house - you come out shell-shocked.
Anyone who calls him/herself a horror fan should check it out. The squeamish should walk right past this one.
Sheer simplicity of the idea gets overwhelmed by, of all things, production values.
Not without memorable visuals, a handful of macabre, original ideas and B-movie jumps, but after awhile, the gore and the game plan (run, chase, maim, repeat) cease to be campy and grow oppressive.
Those upset about being shortchanged in the bathful-of-blood-bucket-of-giblets department can rejoice, since whatever the new Chainsaw lacks in the organs-a-poppin' sweepstakes, it makes up for in sadism.
Though not bad looking, the look here conveys nothing like the simultaneously open-air and claustrophobic beauty of its predecessor.
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