VICTOR CROWLEY is the surprise fourth film in the fan-favorite Hatchet franchise. Kept tightly under wraps for over two years, the slasher reboot unexpectedly debuted this past August.
The highly anticipated release was shown in theaters across the USA in October as part of the “Victor Crowley Road Show“.
Set a decade after the events of the series’ first three films, VICTOR CROWLEY reunites Hatchet mainstays Kane Hodder (also known as the infamous Jason Voorhees from the Friday the 13th franchise) and Parry Shen for an all-new, horrifying journey into the haunted, blood-drenched bayou.
“In 2007, over forty people were brutally torn to pieces in Louisiana’s Honey Island Swamp. Over the past decade, lone survivor Andrew Yong’s claims that local legend Victor Crowley was responsible for the horrific massacre have been met with great controversy, but when a twist of fate puts him back at the scene of the tragedy, Crowley is mistakenly resurrected and Yong must face the bloodthirsty ghost from his past.”
Writer/director Adam Green (Frozen) returns to the director’s chair.
We pick up the Hatchet story 10 years after the previous installment and for once series regular Parry Shen reprises his role (He played three different characters in the series) as the lone survivor of the Victor Crowley massacre; an incident which has left him with a degree of survivors guilt but not enough to stop him making a quick buck over the years.
This is how this story starts as his agent (Felissa Rose) makes him an offer he can’t refuse to return to the swamp once more. Felissa’s performance was one of our favourites in the film as her straight-forward but nutty broad routine had us in stitches. The new cast members also provide a lot of laughs as well as the opportunity for some gory and franchise-worthy kills & scares (this film is definitely not for the faint-hearted!). Impractical Jokers fans will no doubt get a kick out of Brian Quinn’s appearance in the film and he also gets a lot of laughs.
Adam Green makes a triumphant return to his franchise offering plenty of nods to the series and his other films that die-hard fans will no doubt enjoy. The film also begins with a visually pleasing retelling of the Victor Crowley legend which is a nice addition for those who have not seen the previous instalments. And let us not forget Kane Hodder who gets to take his performance as Victor Crowley (a character he helped to bring to life) up to whole new level in this film.
Fans will also want to watch through the credits as there is a little extra scene that makes the ending all that more satisfying and sets up the potential future of the franchise!!!!
4/5 – A real treat for Hatchet fans but also an enjoyable (if gory!) horror film in it’s own right.
The film is released on VOD, DVD & BluRay on February 6th (USA)
www.darkskyfilms.com
www.victorcrowleylives.com
Interview with Parry Shen (Hatchet 1-3, Victor Crowley)
Horror Month: Interview With Felissa Rose (Sleepaway Camp, Victor Crowley)
