This is probably the third time or so that I've seen The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, but it was my first time seeing it on the big screen (shout out to the Frida Cinema and my Red Car Trolley crew).
While the crowd was small, it was still a very different experience seeing it with other people. Some of the dark humor that Hooper intended becomes more apparent, as does some of the more bizarre behavior of the characters (looking at you, semi-truck driver running away at the end), but it also helped me realize that this is an incredibly well-made and meticulously thought-out film.
I always appreciated it for how shocking it is and how much they lean into the grimy, grungy, backwoods documentary style of it, but this time around I really noticed the editing and how deliberately it's used for the pace of every scene. It may appear sloppy, but there's a smart guy at the wheel who knows exactly how much to press on the gas.
While the acting is pretty hokey, the editing, cinematography, and well-earned pay-offs within the story more than make up for it. Every image, thrill, and scare is incredibly memorable, whether you want it to be or not.
Also, I forgot how much I love the opening images. Really unsettling. Good stuff.
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