"Friday the 13th," released in May of 1980, emerged following the success of films like "Halloween" (1978) and also incorporates elements reminiscent of "Carrie" (1976) and "A Bay of Blood" (1971). The narrative centers on Camp Crystal Lake, New Jersey, a vacation spot with a dark history, and the murders of young camp counselors. Critics were not kind to the movie, though I don't understand why, as it seems comparable in quality to highly regarded films like "Carrie" and "Halloween." Despite this criticism, it proved incredibly popular at the box office, earning more than any subsequent installment until "Freddy vs. Jason" arrived in 2003. Currently, there are 12 movies within the franchise, with another one planned, establishing it as the most successful slasher series and a major success across all genres. I'm not particularly drawn to gore or frequent viewer of slasher films, but I’m a big fan of "Friday the 13th." This isn't due to nostalgia; my appreciation began later in life when I watched "Friday the 13th Part V: A New Beginning" on television. I think what appeals to me is that these movies often feature young adults enjoying a camp-like setting in the woods, which evokes pleasant memories of youthfulness. The presence of an unstoppable and increasingly monstrous killer adds a sense of danger and suspense to the adventure and lighthearted moments. Beautiful women and varied filming locations throughout North America contribute to what’s a consistently entertaining franchise that shows no signs of ending. The first film features notable performances from Annie (Robbi Morgan), Alice (Adrienne King), and Marcie (Jeannine Taylor), with Brenda and Claudette also deserving recognition, particularly the latter in the 1958 opening sequence. A young Kevin Bacon is among the counselors featured as well. Filming took place in the remote New Jersey townships of Hardwick, Blairstown & Hope. It’s interesting to note that none of the films were shot at the same location, even though they typically take place near Camp Crystal Lake. Other locations include Connecticut (II & IX), California (III, IV, V), Georgia (VI), Alabama (VII), British Columbia (VIII & XI), New York City (VIII), Toronto (X & XI) and Texas (XII). The camp-like settings and the unstoppable nature of the monster—Jason Voorhees, along with the demonic forces that possess him, his mother, and others as revealed in "Jason Goes to Hell"—are what truly distinguish "Friday the 13th" from similar franchises. The initial two films maintain a serious tone, portraying young people on vacation in the woods, but Part III introduced a campy element that reappears throughout several installments (V, VI, IX and X) until the 2009 reboot. I don’t mind this shift too much, as these movies aren't meant to be entirely believable anyway. Regarding realism, my only question about the first film is how the killer manages feats like throwing an adult corpse through a window or suspending a body from a door. However, such events could likely be attributed to the Voorhees family’s unusual strength (or the demonic entity that influences them). While many find these films frightening and shocking, and some of the early installments have slightly unsettling moments, I don't generally consider them scary—with the exception of the 2009 reboot. They can be creepy, suspenseful, or exciting, but they’re always entertaining; I often end up laughing during the death scenes. I award "Friday the 13th" a high grade because it is an effective film within the frequently criticized slasher/horror genre and also launched this remarkably successful franchise. No genre is beyond redemption when executed well, and that's certainly true here. The movie has a runtime of 95 minutes. GRADE: A-

Source on TMDB