The fifth installment in the “Friday the 13th” series introduces a new direction in the storyline.
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Friday the 13th: A New Beginning (1985)
The film centers around an adult Tommy Jarvis (John Shepherd), still haunted by his childhood encounter with Jason Voorhees.
Tommy is sent to a rural halfway house in New Jersey, aimed at helping young adults reintegrate into society. The facility houses a variety of residents, including Pam (Melanie Kinnaman), a kind-hearted staff member, and Reggie (Shavar Ross), a young boy with a lively personality.
As a series of brutal murders begin, echoing the style of Jason Voorhees, fear and suspicion escalate among the residents. The killings throw the halfway house into chaos, with Tommy’s troubled past making him a suspect in the eyes of some.
The film introduces a range of new characters, such as Violet (Tiffany Helm) and Jake (Jerry Pavlon), each contributing to the evolving storyline. As the murders continue, the mystery deepens over whether Jason Voorhees is behind them or if a copycat killer is at work.
The climax reveals the killer to be Roy Burns (Dick Wieand), a disturbed father seeking vengeance for the murder of his son Joey (Dominick Brascia), a resident at the halfway house. The film concludes with an ominous twist, suggesting that Tommy might adopt the persona of Jason Voorhees, indicating a new beginning for the cycle of violence.
“A New Beginning” explores the psychological aftermath of Jason’s legacy and introduces a new narrative angle to the franchise. The film, featuring a diverse cast and a unique storyline, adds a distinct chapter to the “Friday the 13th” saga, showcasing the series’ capacity for evolution and experimentation.
Crew
Director: Danny Steinmann.
Producers: Timothy Silver, Frank Mancuso Jr.
Screenwriters: Martin Kitrosser, David Cohen and Danny Steinmann.
Cinematographer: Stephen L. Posey.
Composer: Harry Manfredini.
Special Effects: Martin Becker and R. Christopher Biggs.
Cast: John Shepherd, Melanie Kinnaman, Shavar Ross, Richard Young, Marco St. John, Juliette Cummins, Carol Locatell and Dick Wieand.
Trivia
Direction and Vision: Directed by Danny Steinmann, this film marked a shift in the series. The intention was to move away from Jason Voorhees as the central character and to explore the psychological impact and aftermath of the events from the previous films on Tommy Jarvis.
Casting and Characters: John Shepherd played the role of an adult Tommy Jarvis, showcasing a character deeply affected by his past encounters with Jason. The film introduced a range of new characters, each bringing their unique dynamics to the story. Notable among them were Melanie Kinnaman as Pam and Shavar Ross as Reggie.
Setting and Atmosphere: Unlike the camp setting of previous films, “A New Beginning” was set in a rural halfway house, offering a different backdrop for the story. This change in setting provided a new atmosphere and a fresh take on the series’ typical location-based suspense.
Plot Development and Twist: The film’s plot took a daring turn with the reveal that the killer was not Jason Voorhees but Roy Burns, a character driven by personal tragedy. This twist was a significant departure from the series’ usual narrative structure.
Special Effects and Makeup: The film continued the series’ tradition of graphic and creative kill scenes, which required intricate special effects and makeup work. The effects aimed to maintain the shock value that the series was known for.
Music and Soundtrack: The musical score was composed by Harry Manfredini, whose music had become a staple of the series, contributing significantly to the mood and tension of the film.
Challenges and Controversies: The production faced challenges, particularly with the decision to deviate from using Jason as the main antagonist. This choice was controversial among fans and led to mixed reactions.
Reception and Box Office: “A New Beginning” received mixed reviews and was seen by some as a weaker entry in the series. However, it performed reasonably well at the box office, demonstrating the enduring popularity of the franchise.
Legacy and Impact: The film’s attempt to explore the psychological effects of trauma and to introduce a new antagonist was a notable experiment in the series. Although it returned to the original Jason-centric storyline in subsequent films, “A New Beginning” showed the franchise’s potential for narrative experimentation.
Future of the Franchise: The conclusion of “A New Beginning,” which hinted at Tommy Jarvis taking up the mantle of Jason, set the stage for further developments in the series, indicating an ongoing evolution of the “Friday the 13th” storyline.
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