It wasn't really a stiff competition but if you're going to watch a Friday the 13th movie then you should probably watch this one as it is the best of them, rivaled only by the original. In addition to the introduction of Jason Voorhees, also has the most likable cast in the series. Amy Steel remains my favorite of all the Friday women but I love Marta Kober's Sandra, Lauren Marie Taylor's Vicky, and Kristen Baker's Terry (even if she's only there for fanservice).
There's a lot of really great iconic moments in this story from the machete kill to the execution of a certain character from the first movie. The big appeal for the movie, though, is the fact it takes time to develop all of the camp counselors enough that you actually want to see them all survive. I mean, they won't but that's not the point. You are happy when Mark is about to have his hookup and upset when it gets interrupted by a sack-wearing serial killer.
The final confrontation with Jason as well as its attempts to actually give him some personality are particularly memorable. Whether its skinny dipping, memorable murders, or whether Paul is dead or not--this is the best. Jason may not have his iconic hockey mask yet but this is the first Friday movie which follows the formula which all of the other ones will. My only regret is they killed Crazy Ralph and we're never going to find a decent replacement for him. Well, also, "Where's Paul?"
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