10 Movies That Could Have Been Truly Awesome (With A Single Change)
7. Freddy Vs. Jason
Slasher movies, by definition, are rarely great. Even the best examples of the genre are allowed concessions that movie fans wouldn't dare give to a mainstream drama or comedy. Horror fans recognize that some movies aren't supposed to be taken seriously. They know going in that they're not getting The Godfather, or even The Last Don. While Spielberg made the monster movie respectable with Jaws, a glut of teenage stalkathons dragged it right back into the gutter.
Unfortunately, these low expectations too often allow for serious lapses in a studio's judgment. Such was the case with Freddy Vs. Jason, the long-anticipated match-up between the twin titans of teen terror...ten years too late. The project's various permutations are well-documented. The script went through more writers than a middle school slam book. Potential guest stars included Pinhead and the Devil himself. Friday the 13th director Sean Cunningham was on board to produce, but Nightmare On Elm Street director Wes Craven famously stayed away. In many fans' eyes, the production's most egregious error was replacing longtime Jason Kane Hodder with new guy Ken Kirzinger. The performances, especially the casual use of a homophobic slur, make the movie a tougher sit than previous Jason and Freddy films.
There are many people to blame for Freddy Vs. Jason's reliance on fart gags and lame scares. A lot of fans blame director Ronny Yu. Yu had already enjoyed a long and successful career in his native Hong Kong, wowing audiences with movies like The Bride With White Hair. However, his American output, such as this film and Bride of Chucky, are endurance tests.
It's hard to say whether a different director would have helped the film. Maybe Freddy Vs. Jason just wasn't meant to be good. It's more like the old Elm Street and Friday films than many fans are willing to admit. We all know what happens when slasher flicks think outside the box. Sometimes we get Wes Craven's New Nightmare. Sometimes we get Jason X. New Line Cinema wasn't going down that road with Freddy Vs. Jason. They gave the fans exactly what was expected.