Director: Sean S. Cunnigham 

Writer: Victor Miller 

Grade: B 

This is the one that started it all. A very simple film, but a very creepy one as well. Sean Cunnigham's use of atmosphere and camera anges gives this movie a very "uneasy" feel that keeps the viewer on edge through the whole film. Great chase scenes, and fantastic gore effects by Tom Savini make this scary enough, but Harry Manfredini's score is classic reminder of Bernard Herrman's "Psycho" score, and brings the movie to a higher level of terror. This film along with the original Halloween are responsible for the horror explosion of the 80's, unfortunatly none of the copycat horror films can live up to the style and originalty of this film.
 

Director: Steve Miner 

Writer: Ron Kurz 

Grade: B 

Many things make this movie better than the original. For one Steve Miner is a better director and gives the movie a better look and grander chase sequences. Harry Manfredini improves on his already great score, and Amy Steel performace as the indestructable heroine is, in my opinion, the best scream queen this side of Jamie Lee Curtis. Unfortunatly the script of this film is basicaly a rehash of the first film, the secondary actors are not as interesting as they were in the first, and the effects are not as good. I rate this movie the same as the first, some things are better, some are not, so they are about even. 
 

Director: Steve Miner

Writers: Martin Kitrosser and Carol Watson 

Grade: C+ 

Basicaly another rehash story, with a few new twists. Steve Miner again proves good at delivering scares and his end chase is incredible. Unfortunatly the actors in this film are awfull, and the heroine Dana Kimell is really lame. The effects are also sub-par. Those factors, along with the goofyness that all 3-D movies suffer, help bring this movie down. Don't get me wrong I love this movie and it is way better than most 80's horrors that you will find on the shelf. I just don't think it lives up to the standard of the first two.
 

Director: Joe Zito 

Writers Bruce Hidemi Sakow and Barney Cohn 

Grade: A- 

The final Friday the 13th movie in the stricty "stalk and slash" formula. It is also the best of the first 4. Joe Zito's direction is top notch, and he gives this film a truly omminous visual style. The actors are beliveable and interesting, and the writing is above average. Tom Savini returns to the series and delivers loads of his trademark gore. Of course, Harry Manfredini's music is excellent. They also mix up the formula a bit by adding the character of a young boy (Corey Feldman) as the films hero. The final confrontaion between Jason and Corey Feldman is incredible.