The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 (1986)

**** WARNING: MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS **** I apologize in advance if I am unable to offer any details concerning the nature of the VHS tape I am about to review, since I am writing this while at work..That being said, "TCM 2" as widely seen in its truncated format is a true testament to everything which was wrong about 80s gore horror, and censorship through the MPAA (Motion Picture Aputators of America). I recall how my brother had read up on this film in horror magazines, and our subsequent disappointment when having finally rented the highly edited censored VHS release, about a year after it's theatrical run. For the longest time, I knew the film itself had been butchered into it's widespread version and that so much was left out, much to the chagrin of gore hounds and those who expected at least a semblance of a follow-up to the 70s original classic.For all most people know (based on what version they have been exposed to), this is quite simply bad movie, heavily edited by studios and distributors.Years after I had long forgotten about how horrid a censored film this was had passed, an ex-friend of mine managed to pick up for me at a yard sale a widescreen version of the film on VHS tape. This was not the same widely seen version of the VHS tape we had seen collecting dust in good old video rental stores (anyone remember those?) and so at first I thought it was a well executed bootleg of sorts. After a long pause I decided to watch it since, at the very least, I had never seen it in widescreen format.To my surprise (especially since this was in no way advertised in any form) it turns out that the version of "TCM 2" on this tape was what most people would have referred to as the "workprint" version. Running at just about 2 hours, it featured most of the usuable uncensored footage never seen before, finally making the film "make sense" (if that is at all possible with such a film!). Add to this, again un-advertised, that after the feature, a series of additional deleted footage is present, included that of the infamous Leatherface goes after an entire team of college football players. However, as opposed to the included re-inserted footage in the film, these bonus scenes are of an atrocious quality, looking as though they were filmed on portable video Equipment of the era.In conclusion, my opinion of the film itself was changed after that viewing, and finally I was able to appreciate the deviant, unhealthy, and downright visually and intellectually/morally disturbing vision of Tobe Hooper, since this version is probably closer to what he had originally intended rather than the butchered beyond comprehension version most of us have been exposed to.Afterthoughts: The early Y2K DVD re-release of the film is the edited version (as the widespread commercial VHS release), and apparently this "workprint" or "uncut" version on VHS remains unreleased. It's a shame because it elevates the film from a badly executed parody of the original to an actually semi-disturbing film with more gore to please that target audience.

The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 is a great horror sequel and is one of my favorites in the genre. The film is totally bonkers and as such is a black comedy splatter masterpiece. Chainsaw 2 is a great follow up to the first film and is much different. The story continues with The Sawyer family. There is not only large doses of dark humor, but also heavy helpings of state of the art gore.(courtesy of F/X master Tom Savini) The film is completely insane and very unique blood splattered entertainment. Bill Mosley gives a legendary over the top performance as lunatic Chop Top. Dennis Hopper also gives an iconic performance as revenge seeking Texas Ranger Lefty Enright, which is also one of my favorite performances of his. The film has great quotable dialouge and is a very creepy, brutal and hilarious horror classic. Chainsaw 2 is one of my all time favorites and is essential viewing for horror fans.

The first "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre" movie was excellent, so we started watching this one expecting something great! the movie was awful. i didn't understand if it was supposed to be funny or scary, either way it did a bad job at both. it looked like a 10 dollar budget scary movie that was unsuccessful, i think it was meant to look like that, don't really get why. i recommend watching it so you appreciate all other movies much more. *SPOILERS**SPOILERS* let me give you some examples of how much the movie sucks: 1. there's a scene where leather-face tries to murder a woman and then ends up falling in love with her when she says are you good. 2. the place where the cannibal family keep all the meat is a never ending dungeon that is as big as a country. 3. someones face gets hit for a few minutes with a hammer and he manages to survive from that, gets his face removed and don't look like he experiences any kind of pain until he suddenly drops and dies. *SPOILERS**SPOILERS*

OK, let me start out with saying the theatrical poster was a PARODY of the theatrical poster of "The Breakfast Club". That right there should've been a heads-up that this film didn't take itself very seriously. That being said this is one of the single funniest/creepiest films I've ever seen. No other film that I've seen balances that line so well. The scene in the radio station has a jump-scare that still gets me after seeing this film countless times. Chop-Top (Bill Moseley) has some of the funniest lines I've ever seen in a horror movie during this scene. Jim Siedow is great as the Cook. Dennis Hopper's performance is so over-the-top you have to realize this was done on purpose. Caroline Williams is GREAT as Stretch, the radio DJ that is being stalked by the Sawyer family after some bad timing. The climax is so intense, yet so ridiculous, it has to be seen to be believed. Seriously, if you're into campy horror films you can't just watch this film once. Tobe Hooper hit a home run with this one.