Friday the 13th Part 2

HKFanatic

Must be the most oddly charming entry in the franchise. This comes down to a surprisingly likable batch of kids (some of whom live!), and the fact this captures the feeling of being at camp better than just about any other installment—the single take 'campfire ghost story' sequence is particularly nostalgic. That Jason wears a burlap sack instead of the iconic hockey mask mirrors his series' own growing pains.

film_lies101

** 1/2 It's basically the 1st film but done with a bit more finesse. I like how Jason is such a clumsy doof in this. Check out the picture of the kids above around the campfire, a couple of just straight up disappear without explanation

msmichel

Even with the violence toned down the second entry is certainly an improvement on the first. Some attempt at story is made and kept away from the supernatural angle the series would develop. In the end it's a standard kids getting chopped up in the woods movie...but a half decent one.

Palmat

Infinitely more successful than the first one on all counts. The acting and directing is better and the plotting both lean and effective (at least for a slasher B-movie). The score is really great and the "kills" are suitably over the top.

Bizzskip Nurse

script is silly, cliche characters (you know it so well) when both camera techniques and jumpscares really effective. And that window scene is truly big moment!

MarcH

Now we're talking. The original is junk, but #2 is so much better, and has an immensely likable heroine in Amy Steel. Nice build-up to the carnage, and scary finale. I saw this with an audience and remember the experience of 800 people screaming. Too bad it was all downhill after this...

Bob

An improvement over to the original. Gone are the filler scenes that drag until they overstay their welcome. Instead, the viewer is introduced with couple of subplots that are engaging outside of its slasher formula. The end results are the most likeable characters in the entire franchise and “hillbilly elephant man” alike Jason. Together with part 3 and 4, it would make a perfect trilogy with part 1 being a prologue

Joseph Carthey

Better than the original and definitely one of the best entries in the series. If the first film was influenced primarily by 'Halloween', this is the 'Texas Chainsaw Massacre' of the series. Amy Steel as Ginny is the most convincing lead of the earlier films and there is an understanding between her and Jason that is unspoken, with a folkloric, supernatural charm. Beauty and the beast at Camp Crystal Lake.