Texas Chainsaw Massacre 4

The Return of the Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1994)
AKA: Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation

Written and Directed by: Kim Henkel
Starring: Renée Zellweger, Matthew McConaughey, Tonie Perenski, Joe Stevens, Robert Jacks, Lisa Newmyer, John Harrison, James Gale, Vince Brock, Marilyn Burns

Oh boy. I guess this concludes the original Texas Chainsaw Massacre series, for me, anyway. I kind of feel like Hank Snow. I'm kind of inclined to not trash this movie, instead praising its merits, such as they are...

In this particular foray into the back roads of Texas, a group of teenagers get in a car accident and, seeking help, run into a bunch of maniacs. From there on, it's pretty much exactly like the first movie only less interesting and with Renée Zellweger instead of Marilyn Burns.

It almost seemed like, because it's almost identical to the original film, they felt it wasn't necessary to fill everything in, leaving big gaps which suggest incompetent filmmaking.

I think this one was supposed to be funny although it didn't do a very good job with that. It wasn't frightening either. It just fails on all levels.

And then there's that dude that just showed up at the end there and did his little boogie woogie. What the hell was that? I guess it does pertain to something, but not really. "You need to show them the true meaning of horror" or whatever - Mr. Red suggested perhaps he was the director trying to get Mr. McConaughey to scare the audience.

Matthew McConaughey. Lord. Okay, it's kind of sad that Renée Zellweger was in this movie and totally understandable if she feels a little embarrassed by it (sorry for watching, Renée). She wasn't great in it, but at least she went on to do other, better things and have some good performances.

However, watching this film made me wonder how Matthew McConaughey ever got work. I've never really liked him all that much, he's not a great actor, but he was really terrible in this. His overacting knew no bounds. Seriously. No bounds. And then I was all like, 'nice leg, Matt'. Why is it all the chainsaw people are, like, disabled? It doesn't make me scared. It makes me feel bad for him. 'Aw jeez, that poor guy with the wonky eyeball'.

I mean, I would understand if Matthew McConaughey was at least really hot. It would be annoying, but then I would know why he's done so well for himself (he's not really an A-list star so I shouldn't be so irritated). I'm sure someone thinks he's really good looking. I dunno. It's a matter of taste, I guess. Still.

Yep. Bottom of the barrel as far as Chainsaw movies go. Part 3, though crappy, was at least mildly entertaining.

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