Friday the 13th Part IV - Underworld Review

Endings, whether for a TV series or a movie franchise, often leave both the audience and the creators/actors feeling unsatisfied. It's a heavy burden to "get it right," and we've seen the impact a true ending can have on a series. True fans never want something they love to end, even if they're bombarded with subpar sequels. A continuation may mean an endless stream of content, but it can also dilute the very essence that made us fall in love with the series in the first place. Not many series can boast having four movies in total in their continuity, let alone two. Personally, I believe a quadriology, or a four-part series, is often the ideal number to fully explore the story of a concept, regardless of the genre. Jason has undoubtedly become a cornerstone for slasher films, and while he wasn't the first, he has certainly made his mark, with his teleporting, zombie-like presence. In our future episodes, we won't overlook the myriad of other sequels to come, but for now, we're bidding farewell to the original story being told. Fortunately, there are a few standalone movies to navigate through before we dive back into action with new and compelling protagonists facing even deadlier antagonists. The choice to bring in Corey Feldman, an '80s child star, to seal the "Final Chapter" seemed obvious, but I can't help feeling conflicted about it. It's great to see him in yet another successful horror movie, but it also feels like a forced entry. If the plan wasn't to explore Tommy Jarvis as the new face of Friday the 13th, then why opt for a higher-level talent for the role? Throughout the film, Feldman's character didn't have much significance until the very end fight scene, and even then, the actions taken felt rather odd and puzzling. I must admit, I'm quite disappointed with the choices made in "The Final Chapter," and more than anything, I'm left feeling perplexed. The few teases of Feldman in future movies as a "continuation" appear to be a cop-out instead of taking a bold leap into uncharted territory within the Friday the 13th Universe. We've concluded the original quadriology, so shouldn't we celebrate with some classic skinny dipping or something along those lines? It's a bit of a letdown, to say the least.