Reviewed By Melissa Antoinette Garza
I didn’t even hear about this film, until it showed up on Amazon. I was going to rent it as the plot seemed interesting, but within a week of me seeing it there, it was on Netflix.
I was throughouly impressed with this film. The look, the throwbacks, and the careful consideration of the original film reminded me of Texas Chainsaw 3D. Though some bitch and complain because of the continuity issue (which was unavoidable) of the original film and the sequel, I loved it. I thought everything about it was fantastic. Would it have been better to make Leatherface in his 60s or 70s? How effective would the movie have been with him using a walker and playing bingo? Do you think the slasher would have garnished an audience with that? Not to mention, the movie was heads-and-tales better than the atrocity which was Michael Bay’s (shall I say anymore) remake and follow-ups. Bay’s films made Leatherface into a mindless serial killer instead of the confused, slow and beaten man he had been in the first.
For doubters, re-watch the original and look at Leatherface cowering in front
of his family, see him dressed in drag and putting on make-up. The man wasn’t right at all. He had some serious issues and he attacked the people because he was a butcher and thought they were invading his home. Texas Chainsaw 3D went to great lengths to preserve every aspect of not only Leatherface’s character (which Dan Yeager pulled off amazingly well) but the overall feel and look of the original. Of course, it couldn’t preserve the timeframe. How could it without trying to make a time piece set in the 80s or 90s which would have been bashed even more for constant references to the era. You can’t make everyone happy.
Sorry about that. Anytime I bring up that film, I feel as though I need to go on a rant to defend it. That said, The Town that Dreaded Sundown works and feels much like Texas Chainsaw 3D. It starts off at a drive in watching the original 1976 flick. Every year, the film is shown in the small town of Texarcana where the actual murders took place.
Jami (Addison Timlin), an orphan who lives with her grandmother, goes to the movie but when the Phantom Killer appears on screen she gets frightened and asks her date Corey (Spencer Treat Clark) to leave. They go to Lover’s Lane and begin to make out when a man dressed like the Phantom comes out. He attacks Corey and Jami though terrorized is able to run for help after The Phantom tells her that she needs to make the town remember Mary. Mary was the first victim back in early 1946.
Jami attends Corey’s funeral only to have his mother attempt to attack her for leaving him behind. After the funeral, Jami is distraught and decides to put her college aspirations behind her to find out who not only the current killer is but who The Phantom killer was as well. She teams up with Nick (Travis Tope) who has romantic feelings for her to get as much information as possible.
Most of the police view her as a nuisance but the Texas Ranger Lone Wolf Morales (Anthony Anderson) takes her seriously and is intent on finding the murderer. Soon, the bodies pile up and while Lone Wolf does what he can, Jami and Nick meet up with the son who wrote the first film. Charles (Denis O’Hare) believes he knows who the killer is. He is an alcoholic who lives alone in a boat on land, so his insights are ignored by Nick. Jami takes him more seriously and despite his ramblings, she can see that some of what he says makes sense.
Meanwhile, her grandmother insists she goes to college in California to get away from everything. She doesn’t want to go but agrees. Of course, things don’t go as planned and she is once again confronted by the Phantom. The conclusion is surprising and well done.
The cast in this film was fantastic. The leads do extremely well, but the supporting cast was filled with familiar faces who are veterans in the entertainment industry and nearly always delivers.
First, Edward Herrmann, may he rest in peace, portrays Reverend Cartwright. Cartwright protests the showing of the original film and actually nearly condones the murders as it brings more people into his church. Herrmann is fantastic. Whether looking back at Annie (1982), Overboard (1987), The Lost Boys (1987), or the very underrated The Cat’s Meow (2001), Herrmann’s presence always added so much to every movie. This was no exception. He was not only believable but brought a level of sincerity and originality to a role that otherwise would have been nothing but an archetype.
Gary Cole portrays Chief Deputy Tillman, who even in a police uniform gives off a very sleazy vibe. He’s incredibly dismissive of Jami and butt heads with Lone Wolf. Cole is one of the most versatile actors I know. As soon as I saw him I recognized him from The Brady Bunch (1995) movies and his Law and Order SVU appearances. My brother Geno mentioned he was the boss in Office Space (1999). I’ve seen that movie a million times and never made the connection that the man who played Mike Brady also portrayed Bill Lumbergh. That just blew me away. He’s always able to just completely change. Some actors are the same in every movie, but Cole is definitely not one of those.
Lastly, Anthony Anderson is one of my favorite actors. I loved him on Law & Order and I never miss an episode of Black-ish (2014). Anderson like Cole is extremely versatile. He can portray a serious and stern officer, but also has fantastic comedic timing.
As far as the movies goes, I obviously highly recommend this film. For Netflix users, this is a must-see.
Scared Stiff Rating 7.5/10 R.I.P. Edward Herrmann
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