FRIDAY THE 13TH PART 3 IN 3D AT SCREAMFEST LA

Any web site dedicated to film would be remiss if it did not cover a genre of film not easily explored—the gimmick production—as was famously used in the William Castle films (The Tingler)... with techniques such as Smell-O-Vision and Sensurround... you know the names.  Screamfest 2008 set aside time to pay tribute to one of the most popular of the gimmick film genre, the ‘three-dimensional features.’

Friday the 13th Part 3 in 3D is one of the last major studio full releases done in the 3D format.  Jaws 3 in 3D came right after and seemed to put the nail in the coffin.  Since IMAX has gotten popular the 3D format has made a slight comeback.  But the 3D in 1982 was staggeringly different!

This is the 25th anniversary of Friday the 13th Part 3, and Screamfest hosted a night dedicated to the film.  Let’s be honest… this is not a very good film.  It may even be the worst Friday the 13th ever made… well… there was Jason Takes Manhattan.  LOL!  But one does not go to a 3D film for character development and intricate story arcs.  Hell, one does not even go to a Friday the 13th movie for that reason.  One goes to see this film in 3D because of the carnival effect.  What does that mean? It’s the thrill of the ride that is shared by all.  Believe me, the first 3D effect in this film made the entire audience giggle with delight. 

The film was supposed to begin at 9:30pm.  We got there, like geeky fans at 9pm and got in line.  In front of me was someone wearing a Friday the 13th Camp Counselor shirt….cute.  The minutes clicked away and we kept standing in line.  By 10:15pm I was about to go home.  But miraculously the doors opened and we were admitted and given the fabled old school 3D glasses.  OK, so I got excited!  The reason for the delay I concluded is that the projector was being equipped with the original 3D lenses that premiered the film 25 years ago.  Now I understood.  I still think that one of the volunteers could have told us… but… I digress… really got to let that go.  Information is not a bad word.

The first few minutes are not actually in 3D but you have to wear the glasses anyway.  When the titles erupted out of the eye socket, the 3D began and kept the film rolling right along.  I had forgotten so much of this film.  The bikers, the hippies, the script….LOL!  I remembered some of what happened halfway through and then I got excited.  This is the movie that Jason Voorhees first picks up the hockey mask.  Why this film is a landmark in the slasher genre!  And why don’t I remember Jason running and scuttling around after his victims.  Didn’t they run and he slowly stalks them?  Not in the first two films.  Remember?  I didn’t.  How long has it been since I saw these movies.  Don’t answer that.  I could only have seen these early 13th films on VCR back in the early 80’s.  Seeing this movie the way it was meant to be seen is fantastic!

The drawback… an upset stomach.  Sometimes the 3D effects made me queasy.  I guess going back in time 25 years means I should take some antacid…  I had a fabulous time.  If a 3D event comes your way… Grab your ticket fast!

KRISTOFFER