1994 Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation

• AKA “The Return of the Texas Chainsaw Massacre”
• Directed by: Kim Henkel
• Written by: Kim Henkel, Tobe Hooper
• Stars: Renee Zellweger, Matthew McConaughey, Robert Jacks
• Run Time: 1 Hour, 27 Minutes
• Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hHBiQL8LiEU

Spoiler-Free Judgment Zone

Leatherface is hanging out with a new family again, and on prom night a group of lost teens tangle with him and his family. Matthew McConaughey’s performance is over the top and a bright spot in a movie that drags and is kind of dull. Neither of us were very entertained overall.

Spoilery Synopsis

We hear a voiceover about the previous crimes from the previous movies. Credits roll.

It’s prom night, and Jenny and Sean show up and encounter all the weird “high school students.” Heather catches Barry cheating on her and speeds off with Jenny and Sean in the backseat. They take a detour and get lost.

Another car comes out of nowhere and smashes into them. The driver says “I’m not hurt,” and then passes right out. As they walk to call an ambulance, Heather tells creepy monster-in-the-woods stories to cheer them up. They stop in a place and meet Darla, who has boobs and isn’t afraid to flash them. She calls Vilmer, a tow-truck guy, to come help.

Vilmer shows up, but it’s not to help. He kills the injured guy and then chases Sean. Barry and Heather chase after another car, leaving Jenny behind. Yes, the group splits up in a Leatherface movie.

Heather and Barry come to an old house, and run into Leatherface and W. E. There’s lots of screaming on Heather’s part as Leatherface tosses her around and locks her in a freezer. Barry doesn’t care about the walls covered in human skin because he’s just gotta pee. Leatherface gets him as well.

Jenny gets picked up by Vilmer, and she soon learns that she doesn’t like him much. He dumps her on the side of the road and then chases her with his truck. She eventually runs into Leatherface, who’s got his saw with him this time. This leads her to Darla and W.E., who are also involved with the baddies.

Jenny finds herself tied up in the family kitchen with the whole gang. There’s a lot of arguing between the group.

As is the custom, the whole group ends up around the dinner table, along with several corpses.

Suddenly, a limousine drives up. Mr. Rothman and his driver come inside. He tries to calm Jenny down. “This is appalling. You are here for one reason,” he tells Vimer. “I want these people to know the meaning of horror.” Rothman then licks Jenny all over and leaves.

Vilmer finishes off Heather and then goes crazy cutting himself. In the confusion, Jenny runs out the front door and out into the woods. She’s soon picked up by a pair of old people in an RV, but they don’t last long. Somehow, an airplane dives at Vilmer, chopping him up in the propeller.

Jenny runs to the limo and gets in, where Rothman apologizes for how this has all been run. He takes her to the hospital, but Leatherface is still out there…

Brian’s Commentary

The illuminati is behind Leatherface? I did not see that coming.

It’s a very early breakout role for both Renee Zellweger and Matthew McConaughy, neither of whom had done much prior to this. His performance is way over the top, and he steals the show. Otherwise, it’s all pretty forgettable.

Meh.

Kevin’s Commentary

I had seen this one before in the 1990s, and before we started this rewatch I was thinking it wasn’t very memorable. Well into it this time, I was thinking “this really isn’t very good.” The supporting cast isn’t impressive, the pacing and script are clunky. Though I can see why Renee Zellweger and Matther McConaughy went on to do many other things. I think they salvaged the movie from being truly awful. Plus his motorized leg brace was quite the DIY project.

Definitely my least favorite of the Chainsaw movies so far.

#episode_3