The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning Review Country : USA Year: 2006 Genre: Horror Format: Cinema Running Time: t/b/a Distributor: New Line Cinema Witness the birth of Fear, as secrets of the demented Hewitt family unfold when a carload of vacationing teenagers runs afoul of the bizarre clan and their unhinged son Thomas.... Credits Directed by Jonathan Liebesman. Starring R. Lee Ermey, Jordana Brewster, Andrew Bryniarski, Taylor Handley, Matthew Bomer, Diora Baird, Heather Kafka, Lee Tergesen, Marietta Marich and Terrence Evans. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning explores America’s obsession with serial killers, and the closest comparison I can think of in terms of the quality of the movie’s dark mood, riveting suspense, and gripping action is the original Chainsaw film. Director Jonathan Liebesman achieved an excellent blend of sheer brutality, psychological thrills, and dramatic horror. It's 1969. Brothers Dean and Eric (Taylor Handley and Matthew Bomer), their respective girlfriends, Bailey and Chrissie (Diora Baird and Jordana Brewster), head across Texas for a final fling of serious fun before going to Vietnam. Soon after their journey begins, the foursome are involved in a serious accident. Chrissie is thrown from the vehicle. Sheriff Hoyt (R. Lee Ermey) arrives and all hell breaks loose. Unbeknownst to Chrissie, Hoyt is headed to the Hewitt family home where Thomas (Andrew Bryniarski), who is being groomed to become the terrifying monster known as Leatherface, and the rest of the Hewitt clan await. This is a nasty little movie. Among the nastiest I have ever seen. The Beginning is the Chainsaw film horror fans have been waiting all their lives for. It truly has some of the most intense scenes ever shot in any horror film. It's suspenseful because you know it's coming, but you have to wait for it. But once it comes, it's full on, in your face. The casting is solid, and the direction is slick. Brewster pulls off a smart, sympathetic heroine. Bomer and Handley pull off a great chemistry as brothers, especially in one scene involving Hoyt and ten push ups. That scene will live on in horror history. Not to mention, that once Tommy Hewitt becomes Leatherface, it will send cold chills up your spine! I didn't know whether to cheer or be repulsed. All the loose ends and questions from the remake are answered... Tommy Hewitt's awful childhood is summed up nicely in the opening, we see how Hoyt becomes Sheriff and loses his teeth, how Monty loses his legs, and all the great things that the chainsaw winds up doing for Leatherface's self esteem. Once the third acts kicks in, you will be pinned to the back of your chair. Ermey and Bryniarski light the screen up and should always be a part of this franchise. They really carry the film, and have one of the most twisted dynamics I have ever seen on screen. This film totally re-launches the franchise and rivals the remake, and any subsequent film to follow Tobe Hooper's original. Riddled with fast-paced action, taut suspense, and a blessedly wry, intelligent sense of humor, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning is one of the most thoroughly entertaining films ever to careen through the horror genre. OFFICIAL SITE R. LEE ERMEY INTERVIEW DISCUSS ON OUR FORUMS Review by John Gray, for Pitofhorror.com