What a week it’s been as a Texas Chainsaw franchise fan. Sure the franchise as a whole has some duds. Yes as much as I love and worship the 1974 original film, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, I’ll be the first to admit there’s utterly disappointing entries into this iconic movie series. TCM 2003 & The Beginning (2006) are thankfully two of the franchises top tier pieces of cannon. They’re on a separate time line to the rest of the franchise. With big changes to characters including The Sawyer family name being swapped for Hewitt. Which I enjoy and appreciate as it gives this remake series it’s own identity making these two entries look very different from other TCM films.
In this article I will separately discuss both films and their new 4K editions respectively. Quick note The Texas Chainsaw Massacre remake 4K Limited Edition is an American release for their territory. Arrow Video are only releasing TCM: The Beginning on 4K limited edition for the UK, for now. It’s a huge possibility Arrow will release the 2003 remake on 4k at a later date for the UK, so keep your eyes peeled in the future. I imported Th remake from Arrow Video’s American web store. So there’s an option for fans looking to import the release however it will cost you a little extra. It’s not overly expensive and I’m simply happy to own one of my favourite horror remakes on Arrow’s 4K line.
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2003) 4K Limited Edition Review
Platinum Dunes productions founder Michael Bay known for the live-action Transformers movies and many more. Had his work cut out for him remaking Tobe Hoopers Iconic behemoth of a horror movie TCM (1974). Did he surpass it? Not at all and who could regardless of how good a new TCM film is. The OG is a trend setting trail blazer, adored and cherished by horror enthusiasts throughout generations. What we get here is a very good stylish grisly facelift of the 74 classic. It’s more polished and has a unique tint to the picture. It does lack the rawness of the OG of course. However some aspects of the twisted Texan tale do benefit from the reboot and it’s substantially higher budget. There’s more weird characters and whilst following the core beats of the original’s narrative. It adds more violence to some extent but don’t get it twisted this remake isn’t overly gory but it’s definitely gritty & grisly. Sally is no more for this feature we have Erin played by Jessica Biel. Unfortunately fans there’s no Franklyn in this one instead we the likes of R. Lee Ermey’s sadistic Sherif Hoyt. Who honestly is the greatest thing about the remake. Whilst Leatherface is imposing enough on his own. Hoyt adds that more human villain to the mix. He’s not hulking and he doesn’t play with chainsaws. But he has an unprecedented sinister demeanour and comes locked & loaded with shotguns and that authoritarian “I’m the law round here” small town law enforcement energy.
The rundown rural location is captured impressively. With abandoned shabby looking vehicles and a wood location. Leatherface’s new family home is much larger and ominous looking which does wonders for the cold dark atmosphere this film has. The new 4K transfer looked great on my 50 inch 4K Oled tv. I’ve seen the film on all formats since DVD. This is the best it’s looked and the best thing is it keeps the dark tinted look of the movie intact. The new Limited edition has A small double sided poster and a thin booklet filled with photographs and information. There’s also a plethora of macabre extras and it’s all on one UHD disk thanks to Arrow.
Movie Score: 4.5/5
Release Score 3.5/5
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre The Beginning (2006) 4K Limited Edition Review
How do you follow up a successful remake? Give your remake a prequel. Where you tell a completely new story and amp the gore and violence up many levels. I actually now prefer this prequel slightly to the 2003 remake. It’s set four years prior to the events of TCM. What we get here subsequently is a movie focussing on Leatherface and the rest of the Hewitt clan, we see how Leatherface creates his first human face mask. Leatherface is ultra iconic and a little sillily clumsy normally. Which we love him for. But I will give props to this prequel’s vision for him. He’s colder, more menacing, more rawer, more powerful and more meaner. Basically he doesn’t play games here. No messing! Straight to the chainsawing innocent victims into nasty-looking little bits.
His lair is darker, danker and simple scarier. This movie has serviceable protagonists but it’s all about the villains and their origin story. We even get a sprinkle of badass biker action, how will they fare against Leatherface’s tools and brute strength? What do you think reader? For me this prequel is Sheriff Hoyt’s movie! R. Lee Ermey reprises his role as the local law enforcer. And yes he’s meaner and badder than he has ever been. Obviously with the success of the remake three years earlier. It must of been a no-brainer for the prequels creators. When it came to Hoyt, give him a lot more screen time and foul mouthed lines. This is TCM in full throttle mode. The tinted look has also gone for this one and we get a more grounded rawer look, in my opinion. It’s still polished & modern but just feel a little nastier than the previous entry. The new transfer looked very good just like the remake. No complaints from me there. It’s not a 4K reference disk or anything. Just a damn great restoration and the best the film has ever looked. There’s tons of special features. With this edition you get a double sided poster and booklet.
Movie Score: 4.5/5
Release Score 3.5/5