Product Description

Inspired by a true story and the classic 1974 film. A group of teenagers take a detour from a road trip and what happens next is beyond anyone?s darkest fears and raw nightmares.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #22069 in DVD
• Brand: NEW LINE HOME VIDEO
• Released on: 2004-03-30
• Rating: R (Restricted)
• Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
• Formats: AC-3, Anamorphic, Color, Dolby, DTS Surround Sound, DVD, Subtitled, Widescreen, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Subtitled in: English, Spanish
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 98 minutes

Amazon.com
The 2003 version of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre adheres to the pure and simple slasher movie formula: Introduce a gaggle of sexy young people, make vague gestures to distinguish them--Jessica Biel (Summer Catch) wants to get married and doesn't like pot, so she's our moral compass--then start hacking them to pieces one by one. The visual palette includes grimy crucified dolls, fly-specked pig carcasses, body parts floating in murky jars, a tobacco-chewing redneck sheriff, and many slender beams of sunlight cutting through dank, dusty interiors. The camera lovingly photographs Biel's tank-topped bosom and sculpted abs as she's running in terror from a bloated, chainsaw-wielding, human-skin-wearing maniac. This remake lacks the macabre comedy of the original; it's all about the nauseating sensation of waiting for something to jump out of the dark. Also featuring Eric Balfour (Six Feet Under) and R. Lee Ermey (Full Metal Jacket, Mail Call). --Bret Fetzer

Customer Reviews

"You're all going to die..."
Just when you thought the original was disturbing, gross, disgusting, and frightening, now comes the updated version, "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre," which knows no limits when it comes to gore and intensely terrifying moments. Is it a remake? Not necessarily. However, it is more like a movie that pays tribute to a great classic by offering its own vision of a well-known nightmare of limbs and guts.

While characters and some of the story has changed, the deranged and murderous plot remains the same. An unspeakable turn of events (I will not give away how it all starts, as it is very different from the original) lands a group of teens in a nightmarish maze that throws a mutilated man who wields a giant chainsaw in their path. Not to mention the "crazy" family that turns out to be just as vicious and murderous. For these teens, a safe place is nowhere in their short and painful future.

As I said in the beginning, this is not a remake. Nor is this a sequel. So what is it? Well, I like to think of it as an "updated" version of the original--in fact, I consider it more of a tribute to the classic that redefined the horror genera as we know it. This movie, while much more darker, sinister, and sicker, is not trying to live up to the original, nor is it trying to outdo it. I had to smile, as this was not a step-by-step remake, such as the newer "Psycho" was. There are new elements, characters, and plot twists thrown into the mix. And to be honest... it works.

I must confess, I had an unquestionably hard time trying to watch this movie. There were a bunch of moments that made me want to shut it off, and yet--I continued to watch the debauchery. There is a sick and twisted fascination that this movie exploits from us, knowing that we're going continue to watch no matter what. The original was choppy and had a very low-budget, so while it was undeniably violent and brutal it wasn't as hard to take. This new version is in no way a Grade-B movie. It's extremely realistic in its absolute brutality. This shouldn't even be considered as a choice for people who have a hard time watching violence, gore and torture. This movie takes it to the limit and is unapologetic.

Even though this was a hard movie to watch, I have to confess that I liked it. It is great to finally see a horror movie that isn't overly goofy. This is a straight-up and serious slasher movie that does what it's supposed to do--TERRIFY US. An element sadly forgotten by most of the horror flops that come out now. Maybe they can take a page from this movie and perhaps learn something. The acting is surprisingly good, the script is quite believable and is rarely cheesy or lame, and the film looks fantastic. Not a bad job for director Marcus Nispel.

This 2-Disc special edition (a single disc version is also available for those who aren't giant fans of the movie) has some tasty extras. As I said, the film looks and sounds great. You even have the choice of watching it in DTS if your little heart desires to do so. Special features include documentaries, deleted scenes, commentary, trailers, TV spots and a whole lot more. The star of the special features is an exclusive documentary on the notorious killer, Ed Gein, who inspired the original film. It's a really interesting feature and is the main reason to purchase this edition of the movie. The behind-the-scenes documentary (over an hour long) is also worth the money, as well.

"The Texas Chainsaw Massacre" is an unforgiving bloodbath that sends you to the butcher's with bloody front-row seats. It's not better than the original, and it is not trying to be. This film is more of a tribute to an undeniable classic. It's an entertaining new vision and interpretation of the original. If you're looking for a straight-up horror movie that isn't trying to be cutesy or is striving for pop status, then this is the one for you. Just remember one thing... once you open the door, there's no going back. A disturbing, and yet involving horror film that will stay in your head for days. -Michael Crane

A symphony of horrors
I honestly don't understand how anyone who has actually SEEN this movie can trash it. I can describe in one word: Incredible. This isn't "Psycho 1999." This is a tasteful remake that actually turns out to be just as scary and brutal as the movie it's based around. As a fan of the original "Texas Chainsaw Massacre" and it's sequels (well, part 2 was good anyways), I'll admit I had my doubts about this movie. I'm not a fan of remakes in general and it seemed like sort of a waste of time. But believe me when I say this, this movie will blow your mind. Leatherface isn't the coward he was presented as in a few of the sequels and the family is far-less cartoony. In fact, the whole movie is very loosely based on the first; it only shares a few common factors. The characters are very strong and very well "fleshed" out. This is the key to a good horror movie. When you care about the characters, you are in suspense when their lives are in peril. There are several gripping moments that completely lock you into this movie. Even when you may want to look away, you just can't. The story revolves around a group of five young adults, strangers to each other, on their way back from Mexico with a giant stash of marijuana, on their way to a Lynyrd Skynyrd concert (this, like the original, takes place in 1973). As it would happen, a series of events (which I shouldn't go into detail about) puts their lives in peril. This movie has everything: suspense, plot-twists, great characters, top-notch gore, good acting. The bond that is made and the unconditional friendship between the characters glues this movie together. I honestly can't think of a flaw. This movie just grabs you for the whole 100 minutes it stays on screen. I now sit here, after seeing the original dozens of times, and I can honestly tell you: this remake needed to be made. As much as I love the first, and even though I still prefer it, this "up-dating" was sorely needed. And maybe this is a bold statement, but this is, hands down, the best horror movie we have seen so far this millennium. And with plenty of other excellent horrors behind us this year (Freddy Vs. Jason, House of 1000 Corpses, Final Destination 2) I think it's safe to say that horror is alive (errr...dead) and well, and ready for business again.

POOP
Why do modern horror movies all look like MTV music videos? This is Dawson's Creek with a killer. Hip, supermodel teens are systematically killed... insulting. This movie bears the name of the original but none of the originality (or humor.) I know that the original is dated and unintentionally funny in parts, but that is what makes it so damn great. Where's "I think we just picked up Dracula" Franklin?

This remake was just EXACTLY like the dozens of other popular horror films to come out in the past 7 or so years since Scream. If you really must see yet another horror movie where hot, ultra-stylish, super-hip teens are killed then this movie is probably for you. If you enjoy watching re-runs of 90210 while practicing your moody face and testing out some new hair gel then this movie is probably for you.

It has become painfully obvious that the whole horror genre has grown increasingly stale over the past few years with very few, if any, exceptions. Don't get me wrong, I love horror movies. But it is high time for a filmmaker to come along and make a horror movie that redefines the genre, sort of like the original Chainsaw did. There is no other movie quite like the original. "SAAALLEEEEE!"