Two horrible for words

Freddy v Jason

Director: Ronny Yu

Cast: Ken Kirzinger, Robert Englund, Monica Keena, Kelly Rowland, Jason Ritter.

Cert: 18

Before there was Scream, before I Know What You Did Last Summer, before those students camped out in the woods in search of the Blair Witch, a generation of teenagers were scared to death by a man in a hockey mask and another with blades for fingers. Friday the 13th and Nightmare On Elm Street were two 80s horror franchises that spilled over into the 90s then seemed to go away. Forever.

But, as sure as leg warmers are back in vogue and Duran Duran have reformed for a sell-out tour, those last millennium bad guys have returned to frighten our youngsters and take our box-office lucre. But does it work? Well, if you liked what you saw before, you’ll be happy with the outcome in a sort of ‘awe… bless” way.

The plot? Freddie and Jason unite to terrorise Elm Street’s teens but their friendship is short-lived when Freddie gets jealous of Jason’s bodycount. Meanwhile a gang of youths (including Destiny’s Child’s Rowland) decide to take matters into their own hands and lure the bad guys together in a fight to the death.

More funsville than frightfest, Freddy Vs Jason may well have you rolling in the aisles rather than cowering behind your extra-large popcorn. But that’s probably its intention. Lots of blood and guts will keep the audience happy and its success may well invoke a new breed of cross-over films. Carry On Casablanca, anyone?

Star Rating: 2.5/5