MovieChat Forums > Friday the 13th (1980) Discussion > Kinda disappointed honestly

Kinda disappointed honestly


After years of hearing good things.
An seemingly interesting protagonist with defined characteristics and motives (Annie) is suddenly killed off immediately and replaced by one with very little character (Alice) for cheap shocks. They imply Alice has something going with Steve, then drop that for the rest of the movie.
Jason drowning was only mentioned once briefly, and Pamela was not foreshadowed at all making the big reveal at the end not carry much weight (even the actress noted this). Plus that was obviously a guy killing Annie in the woods.
A lot of scenes are needlessly padded out to fill a run-time and others downright pointless (the motorcycle cop).
The final two counsellors deaths are just uncreative and offscreen to boot. Why the hell did they set up the girl to have an archery related death then just drop the idea? Plus how she, a 50 year old woman, was able to lift these grown adults was really unrealistic.
The whole fight/chase lacks any tension. It's literally the same "Pamela attacks, Alice knocks her down, then runs away instead of finishing her" repeated THREE TIMES. Practically slapstick.
And finally, despite struggling with an old lady, Alice is suddenly superhuman and takes off Pamela's head in one chop. And it's not even a very good looking chop.

It's not a bad movie by any means. I didn't have a bad time watching it. It just doesn't really seem like a classic. Hard to see how a whole franchise came from it. The final scene of Jason was really memorable sure, but even that is ruined by being just a dream.

I now await the inevitable hate filled responses

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I can kind of see your point. Personally, I like this movie but sort of like the sequels with Jason a bit more. I didn't care for Part 5 though. Then again if you're going to watch Part 6 onward, I'd argue Part 5 is a waste of time since Part 6 ignores it.

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Pt. 5 is actually the last good F13 movie. Once Jason becomes an unstoppable zombie, it's all pretty stupid.

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I don't mind Zombie Jason.

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I can kind of see your point. Personally, I like this movie but sort of like the sequels with Jason a bit more. I didn't care for Part 5 though. Then again if you're going to watch Part 6 onward, I'd argue Part 5 is a waste of time since Part 6 ignores it.

It is highly anti-American to dislike Friday the 13th Part 5.

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it was interesting in 1980 when people were shocked to see the mom slicing and dicing horny teenagers.

none of the F13 films have aged well..
they are just dumb bloody entertainment flicks

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I had the same reaction. I watched the first three movies and each was better then the previous one but not enough to keep my attention. I'm not big fan of slashers.

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You didn't watch Part 4 or the criminally underrated Part 5?????
I find it insane that you could watch the first 3 and then give up. At least make it through 4. Suck it up!

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How was that a guy killing Anne in the woods? We never saw any face

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