Hatchet 3 Blu-ray review

 

 

Actors: Danielle Harris, Kane Hodder, Zach Galligan

Director: BJ McDonnell

Format: Blu-ray, NTSC, Widescreen

Language: English

Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1

Number of discs: 1

Rated: Unrated

Studio: Dark Sky Films

Release Date: August 13, 2013

Run Time: 81 minutes

 

 

        The Hatchet series started by Adam Green pays homage to the horror films of the 1980s, especially the Friday the 13^th franchise and its duplicates, so it should come as no surprise that the sequels have consistently been released since the original film. Adam Green helmed the first two films, though he passed directorial reigns to BJ McDonnell for this third installment. I’m sure we will see many more of these in time.

 

Beginning where the second film left off allows for an easy transition, and McDonnell is capable of continuing the franchise in the same bloody manner, for better or worse. None of the issues I had with the first two have been resolved, and all of the assets from the first films have been adequately amplified. In other words, this is a safe bet if you enjoyed the practical effects carnage and mayhem from the previous horror films.

 

        Danielle Harris was bad in Halloween, but she is absolutely unbearable as the continuing protagonist of the Hatchet franchise, Marybeth. After surviving the attacks of her inbred swamp-residing relative in the first film and returning for revenge with mercenaries in the second film, Marybeth is still alive and now teaming up with local law enforcement to try and take out the ghostly hatchet-wielding maniac Victor Crowley (Kane Hodder).

 

        The local sheriff (Zach Galligan) conveniently has an ex-wife (Caroline Williams) obsessed with the mythology of Crowley and a theory on how to stop the monster. There are many scenes of pointless violence and action as others try to take Crowley down in the incorrect manner, but this is much more engaging than the pointless dialogue that Marybeth and the sheriff’s have in between the effects shots. Bad acting abounds, along with dialogue that is only occasionally intentionally cheesy, but there is no denying the impact of practical effects that are used in the Hatchet franchise.

 

        The Blu-ray release includes a crew commentary track with writer/producer Adam Green along with McDonnell, cinematographer Will Barratt and make-up effects artist Robert Pendergraft. There is also a second commentary track with the Green, McDonnell and Hodder. The featurettes includes a typical behind-the-scenes making of feature, as well as one about Hodder and the swamp setting for the film. There is also a trailer gallery.

       

Entertainment Value: 8/10

Quality of Filmmaking: 5/10

Historical Significance: 3/10

Disc Features: 8/10