A Unique Entry
Friday the 13th Part V: A New Beginning is a divisive film. Some fans hate it and think it’s one of the worst entries in the franchise. Others hold a higher opinion of it and view it as an underrated gem. This is primarily because Jason is only in the movie for about a minute or so. It’s the opening sequence, a nightmare Tommy Jarvis has on his way to Pinehurst. The killer in this movie is Roy Burns, a local paramedic seeking vengeance for the murder of his son. He uses Jason’s methods and appearance to cover his tracks.
A Few Positives
I’d be lying if I said the inclusion of Jason wouldn’t elevate this film. It certainly would. However, his absence doesn’t detract from the film at all. There are several elements in Part V worthy of praise. The setting is different. Instead of a summer house or camp site near Camp Crystal Lake, the movie takes place at Pinehurst Halfway House, giving the audience a fresh cast of characters. Tommy Jarvis is at his most badass too. He’s intense and physical, throwing kicks and fists as if he were Jean-Claude Van Damme.
A Few Negatives
There are a couple things in Part V worthy of contempt. Tommy is barely an active participant in the big third act fight. He shows up and falls into a trauma-induced trance, allowing Roy to wound him and keep him out of most of the action. Another flaw in this film is some of the kills were watered down to please the MPAA. Some characters like Matt, the manager of Pinehurst, Demon’s girlfriend Anita, Junior, and Reggie’s grandfather are killed off-screen. Off-screen kills always let me down. Less is more isn’t a universal truth. Raw violence and gore are what audiences expect when viewing a slasher film. When filmmakers don’t deliver the goods its ultimately disappointing.
Pam Roberts: The Final Girl of Friday the 13th Part V
Pam Roberts is a tragic case. As an assistant at Pinehurst, she had so much potential to be one of the best finals girls of all time. She’s attractive, smart, a natural leader, and possesses a sultry gaze. Unfortunately, she’s underutilized. She doesn’t do much in the story. Pam mostly hangs around in the office and spends the last third of the movie babysitting Reggie.
It’s a shame. She should’ve had a more prominent role during the first two-thirds of the film. It would’ve been interesting if she had served as Tommy’s counselor. That would’ve opened up numerous pathways for the story to travel down.
Here’s one option: Pam and Tommy develop a relationship similar to Dr. Crews and Tina in The New Blood. Tommy doesn’t think her counseling methods or insight is making him better and Pam grows frustrated with his constant denial and refusal to listen to her. At some point, they must learn to coexist with each other in order to stop the masked maniac stalking Pinehurst.
Another option is that Tommy accidentally falls for Pam, but the two can’t form an official relationship because she’s much older. Tommy is heartbroken so he distances himself from her. But in the end, the two reconcile and form a power team to take out Roy Burns.
If Jason Was In It
Let’s be honest. If Jason was in this movie, how much would things really change? Not a lot. The characters and setting would still be the same. The two areas Jason would impact are the intensity of the kills and the final showdown.
In order for Voorhees to be in this film, he would’ve been resurrected from the dead. And considering how ruthless he was in Part IV after waking up in the morgue, he probably would’ve went on a warpath in this film. I’m positive the kills would’ve been as aggressive or maybe more aggressive than those in the previous entry.
Can you imagine Jason strapping Eddie Kelso to that tree in the woods instead of Roy? Eddie’s eyes might have popped out just like Rick’s in Part III. Or his head might have been crushed like Doug’s in The Final Chapter.
As for the fight in the barn, I envision it becoming a longer battle. Considering the fact Jason would’ve been an undead man at this point, Pam, Tommy, and Reggie would’ve been facing a tougher challenge. Shooting or stabbing Jason isn’t going to harm him much. The trio would’ve had to display resourcefulness and ingenuity in order to survive.
