Top 10 Underrated Moments In The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2

Tobe Hooper’s The Texas Chainsaw Massacre carried an enormous amount of resonance in 1974. The concept of a cannibalistic family that fell out of work from their slaughterhouse due to automation was subtle social commentary in the 1970s. Working-class citizens bled out by thick wallet industry turned the tables on their oppressors. Symbolically the victims in the original film represented upper-class individuals succumbing to the demise they inadvertently created.

That was some hefty subtext for a horror film laced in realism. Twelve years later, what was the sequel to do? Here are the Top 10 Underrated Moments In The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2.

10 Absurd Comedy

1986 heard the buzz return to theaters with Tobe Hooper’s The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2. One of the jarring differences between the original and the sequel was their respective tones. Hooper latched onto the notion that he could not recapture the documentary style of the original. Instead, he turned the sequel towards dark comedy. Most of the sequel’s plot was rooted in reality but branched out into absurdity.

Case in point, the Sawyer family continued their cannibalistic tendencies but took their business on the road to oblivious consumers. The sequel truly was a horror-comedy amongst the like of Evil Dead II and Creepshow.

9 Bill Johnson As Leatherface

RELATED: Why The Texas Chainsaw Massacre WASN’T Bloody & Gory

8 The Slaughter Continues

The 1980s was a fruitful era for horror sequels with continuity. In that decade, every film that was linked to another was never necessarily a remake, reboot, or spin-off. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 truly was the continuation of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974).

The sequel’s opening mirrored the text crawl and narration of the original. It served to bring audiences up to speed regarding the whereabouts of the Sawyer family twelve years later. Besides technical aspects of continuity, this film also brought the return of characters that showcased twelve years of decay. The Hitchhiker, dubbed Nubbins, returned…well his corpse did.

7 The Sawyers

Capitalizing on the notion of returns, the sequel showcased and shed more light upon the family. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 designated the family with the name Sawyer. Along with this caustic christening, came the return of Drayton “The Cook” Sawyer, portrayed by Jim Siedow. He was the focal anchor that banded the original and the sequel.

His character developed from a doubting brother to the dominant business head of the household. Drayton now embraced the lunacy and led the cannibal clan that included Chop-Top and Leatherface. The Sawyer family continued their reign of terror across Texas that originated in 1974.

6 Dennis Hopper As Lefty

5 Contrast From The Original

Possibly the main impact of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974) was the visceral style the film embodied. The original film’s aesthetic and technique induced a documentary feel upon the audience. That essence was truly terrifying and solidified the “based on a true story” selling point. Audiences believed this was real. Director, Tobe Hooper, believed he could not capture that aura again.

Instead, Hooper adopted a higher level of production value with The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2. The sequel benefited from a much larger budget and instantly contrasted the original’s style. Manufactured artistry in the sequel juxtaposed still life of the original.

4 Caroline Williams As Stretch

The sequel marinated for twelve years after the original film’s release. The dormancy of those twelve years granted development with the sequel’s characters. The late 1970s and early 1980s saw female characters evolve from damsels in distress to well-rounded thinking individuals. They reflected the developing era. Vanita ‘Stretch’ Brock, portrayed by Caroline Williams, was presented as a beautifully ballsy woman that fought the terror inflicted upon her.

She took the reins of her life along with her career. She was a lowly radio disc jockey eager to solve the Texas chainsaw murders with incriminating evidence she obtained. She wanted and needed to make a difference to prosper. She did.

3 Bill Moseley As Chop-Top

The embodiment of the sequel’s tone, vibe, and essence was entwined in the character of Chop-Top. Bill Moseley’s second venture on the big screen was one that deserved enormous credit. His over-the-top performance along with gnarled appearance had a major effect on the film. Chop-Top was the Hitchhiker’s twin recently returned from a tour of duty in Vietnam.

He became the harrowing herald to this descent into madness. The film’s atmosphere changed with Chop-Top’s introduction. His initial scene at the KOKLA radio station brought upon dynamic lighting that twisted the film into a different beast. Dogs will hunt.

2 Production Design And Cinematography

Aforementioned, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 benefited from a larger budget than its predecessor. This was more than apparent. The film’s production design and cinematography should be applauded for the outstanding world-building and quality it showcased. Cary White, the production designer, envisioned a psychotic pack-rat’s delight when building the abandoned amusement park the Sawyers called home. Richard Kooris, the cinematographer, capitalized on the enormity and detail of the sets by capturing it on film with dread invoking lighting.

The Texas Battle Land was the flagship set of the film that garnered the EC Comics mood and flaunted the talent behind the camera.

1 Special Effects By Tom Savini

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