The Third Saturday in October

Now we get to the original entry in the Third Saturday in October franchise and interestingly, as you'd expect, the "original is so much better." Or that's the concept the filmmakers want you to feel by advising viewers to see 'Part V' first, but it doesn't exactly work here to the extent they likely hoped for. If this entry had been released at least one week after 'Part V' so that the common sentiment of "the original is always the best" (because it inspired years of copycats, including within its own family) is thus implied, they would've had a shot at making this work. The audience CAN understand and buy into that, but not when you release both films on the same day.

For the film itself, it is an improvement to some extent. Despite all the graphic violence, still done - at least it appears to be - with practical effects, it's campy enough that the film gains a strangely warm feeling through much of the runtime, or in the very least: 1% higher than the 0% offered in Part V. There's also issues aplenty here, but overall it feels a bit more earnest. They double down on their influences here quite heavily, with everything from 80s slashers, to 70s exploitation and Grindhouse, to even Tarantino vibes that sneak in from time to time.

'The Third Saturday in October' provides a bit of a conundrum because I'm rating it slightly higher than the first-released 'Part V,' and yet even though it's also, technically the original, which naturally most would want to watch first, I wouldn't recommend watching it until you've first seen the inferior 'Part V' first, as intended by the filmmakers (not the inferior part). Yes, see the inferior, out of order film first. HA! See? Not the greatest execution on a risky concept. Still, I recommend sticking with the director's recommendation.

I give the franchise credit just for doing something different, even though the influences are in bright, flashing neon lights from the moment the lights go down. They used them proudly, and that's fine, but still, in the very least, they created a different story, a new franchise. Even if everything else is the same as say 'Friday the 13th,' at least they've broken free of the remake vultures. That low bar, sadly, still felt so high for so long. So kudos there.

Alright, those are my thoughts. Maybe that's how I should do "reviews" going forward: bullet-point thoughts and recollections. Passing thoughts in no particular order. Maybe that's what I'm already doing? IDK.