With two films made under his three picture deal for Cannon, Tobe Hooper returned to his roots with a sequel to probably the greatest horror film of all time.
Lefty Enright, a Texas Ranger is determined to hunt down the cannibal clan from the original film, when two annoying college types get murdered by Leatherface. Lefty is drawn to Stretch the radio DJ who accidentally records their murder when they call the radio station on their car phone.
Thus begins possibly the craziest, maddest horror movie ever. The comedy is amped right up with a massive black streak running right through it and the gore is totally outrageous. At the time a lot of people didn't get it or were just shocked by the massive change from the brilliant original. I, myself finally saw it a few years later after the US release when I bought a NTSC videotape.
It has excellent performances, some great effects from Tom Savini, a clever script from LM Kit Carson and Hooper firing on all cylinders. It's such a shame the film is more appreciated now rather like his Cannon 'brother' Lifeforce as the film didn't make any real money. Hooper would go on to make a lot of rubbish, but I actually quite liked Crocodile and his segment in Body Bags.
Arrow's release is truly wonderful with fantastic extras, deleted scenes, alternative opening titles and most importantly The Heisters and Eggshells, Hooper's early films released for the first time on home video nicely restored.
An essential, important release which in terms of quality, I rate up there with the Star Wars box set and Horror Express. BUY IT NOW!!!
- Starring Dennis Hopper Caroline Williams Bill Moseley Jim Siedow
- Director Tobe Hooper
- Distributor Arrow Video
