[His Name Was Jason]
Documentary:He first became known to audiences on May 9, 1980. Over the course of nearly three decades and eleven films (soon to be twelve with this year's remake), he has inspired terror in the hearts of film fans the world over. He redefined the concept of immortality and invincibility. He gave horror a new face...by not having one. His name is Jason Voorhees and this is his story.

Featuring:Betsy Palmer (Friday the 13th), Adrienne King (1 and Part 2), Larry Zerner (Part 3-D), Bonnie Hellman and Judie Aronson (The Final Chapter), Shavar Ross and Debi Sue Voorhees (A New Beginning), Darcy DeMoss and Vincent Gustaferro (Part VI), Lar Park-Lincoln, Elizabeth Kaitan and Diana Barrows (Part VII), Peter Mark Richman and Jensen Daggett (Part VIII), Lawrence Monoson and Camilla More (The Final Friday), Lisa Ryder (Jason X), Seth Green and Travis Van Winkle (2009 remake);

Jason Voorhees portrayers:Ari Lehman (1), Warrington Gillette (Part 2), Richard Brooker (Part 3-D), Ted White (Final Chapter), C.J. Graham (Part VI), and Kane Hodder (Part VII, Part VIII, The Final Friday, Jason X);

Filmmakers:Sean S. Cunningham (Director, 1), Victor Miller (Writer, 1) Danny Steinmann (Writer/Director, A New Beginning), Tom McLoughlin (Writer/Director, Part VI), John Carl Buechler (Director/Special Makeup Effects, Part VII), Joseph Zito (Director, The Final Friday), Greg Nicotero (Special Makeup Effects, The Final Friday), Marcus Nispel (Director, 2009 remake), and Composer Harry Manfredini, creator of Jason's signature musical cue "Sh-sh-sh-sh, ha-ha-ha-ha."

My Thoughts:A very entertaining and cinematically educational documentary!

Review:So after Jason Voorhees has become one of the biggest icons in horror film history, and his reign of terror has spanned 11 going on 12 films, Anchor Bay, Producers Anthony Masi and Thommy Hutson, and director Dan Farrands..bring us "His Name Was Jason", a 2-disc documentary which chronicles the entire slasher series from it's beginnings in 1980, to it's latest chapter..."Friday the 13th 2009", which opens February 13th. The documentary is hosted by Tom Savini, legendary makeup and fx artist...and Savini adds his usual brand of wit and charm to the hosting duties of the doc.

Disc one features the title documentary, as well as extended interviews with the films "men-behind-the-masks", all of the guys who have played Jason over the years, making this documentary probably one of the most extensive I've ever seen. And I am pretty sure it was quite a chore to gather so many people together from a series that spans 12 films but they pulled it off magnificently. The documentary also shows how far the series has come, with interviews from Adrienne King and Amy Steele who starred in the first two movies as Alice and Ginny...to interviews with Lar Park Lincoln, Tiffany Paulsen, and Lisa Ryder who were the heroines in parts 8, 9, and 10.

It really puts the "Friday the 13th" series into a certain context as far as time, and how it's spanned for so many years. As well as delving deep into the many unique, gruesome, and gory kills of the series, showing the fans just how they pulled off alot of this cool shit. Of course the legendary Betsy Palmer makes an appearance in the doc as well, discussing her role as Mrs. Voorhees from "Friday the 13th". Her commentary is very interesting in terms of how she explains peoples reactions to her character when they meet her at conventions or see her on the street.

The doc also goes through great lengths to gather as many of the actors as possible from every film in the series, even some of the people we probably may not remember from a hole in the wall...while also propping up many that we are fans of and definitely remember. I was surprised and also very pleased to see that they managed to get Reggie from "Friday the 13th:A New Beginning" into this documentary. Not only him, but the guy who played Jason in that film as well.

Although the title documentary, is mostly intercut with different cast, crew, director, and jason commentaries, as well as behind-the-scenes footage...disc one also features a solo portion where each actor who played Jason goes solo and speaks about their experiences playing the masked slasher. Everything from the earlier Jason's pains of getting their facial makeup applied and removing it, to the later Jason's who had more of an easy going with things when Jason went hockey mask but had certain elemental hassles to deal with. Shooting some of the films in rainy weather and cold temps.

Disc one also features a few actors who are just fans of the series expressing their views on "Friday the 13th", such as Felissa Rose and others. The highlight of disc one beyond the doc. itself though, is the Jason's speaking their mind, which includes genre favorite Kane Hodder and Derek Mears, who plays Jason in "Friday the 13th 2009"...as well as Ted White. White played Jason in "Friday the 13th:The Final Chapter", and he was pretty honest about his experiences on set with a certain actor in the film, as well as his feelings towards the director of the movie.

His interview should make for some interesting conversation among Jason fans, especially the part where he explains why he took part in "Crystal Lake Memories", the aforementioned "Friday the 13th" book which was released awhile ago, and what happened when he went to his hotel while wearing the Jason makeup. Great stuff. Disc 2 is all about the directors, and not just a few of them...but all of the directors who have helmed a sequel in the series, including the director of the 1980 "Friday the 13th", Sean S. Cunningham.

However not including the director of "Freddy vs. Jason" Ronny Yu, although "FvsJ" writers Swift and Shannon make an appearance. Cunningham's parts of the are by far the most interesting and entertaining to watch I think when it comes to the directors side of things. He really showed a passion for the first film which was released 29 years ago, and still to this day has that same flare for these movies.

But other directors involved in the series such as John Carl Buechler, and Marcus Nispel certainly put their stamp on things as well. Also accompanying disc 2 are some awesome interviews with the screenwriters, comic con videos, fan videos, and alot more which all amounts to about 4 hours of bonus materials. This DVD is certainly chocked full of great extras, and series fans will get their fill of the "Friday the 13th" universe and all of it's participants.

"HNWJ" Surprises:Appearances by Shavar Ross (Reggie in Friday the 13th A New Beginning), Gloria Charles (Female biker in Friday the 13th 3), Tiffany Paulsen (Suzi in Jason Takes Manhattan), Chuck Campbell (Tsunaron in Jason X), and Bonnie Hellman (Hitchhiker who dies holding a bananna in Part 4).

"HNWJ" Non-surprises:Fans negative feelings towards "Jason Goes To Hell", also fans feelings about "Friday the 13th" the tv series using the film series title name.

"HNWJ" Disappointments:No appearances by Lexa Doig (Rowan in Jason X), Melanie Kinnaman (Pam in A New Beginning), and Dana Kimmel (Kris in Friday the 13th 3 3-D).

Overall:Four out of four stars.





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