The prequel to the 2003 hit remake Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning comes to 4K UHD thanks to Arrow Video.
The Film
Prequels be prequeling.
That’s the name of the game here. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning purposes you want to know about how Leatherface and family became who they became, the murderous family they are. The film is as narratively inert as any prequel that was made in that era. Though one has to appreciate the conviction with which the film commits to being the ugliest version of a horror film it can be.
The film shows us baby Leatherface being born and growing up to work at the same abandoned meat packing plant featured in the first film. The family beings their murderous and cannibalistic rampage once the plant closes, leaving them no work or food. This coincides perfectly with two brothers (Matt Boomer and Taylor Handley) going to enlist in the army, off to Vietnam with their respective girlfriends (Jordana Brewster and Diora Baird). They never make it to enlist, as the family and Leatherface have other plans.
Jonathan Liebesman takes over directing duties for Marcus Nispel and pushes the gore quotient up to a ridiculous level, including and not limited to how Leatherface got his iconic leather face (I’ll give you a hint…). There is even less artistic merit in the prequel than in Nispel’s film. There is just no narrative drive, just a collection of explanations of how things came to be wrapped around some truly wild gore. If one wants to know how the sheriff played by R. Lee Ermey came to be sheriff, this is your jam. If you are looking for more than just puzzle pieces, one should go looking elsewhere.
The Transfer
Regardless of what one thinks of the film, this 4K UHD presentation in Dolby Vision (HDR10 compatible) of both the Theatrical Version and the Uncut Version is excellent. The highlight is the Dolby Vision encoding, like the 2003 entry highlights the black and contrast levels that are positively luminous, with details within those blacks is marvelous. The image is a sharp and handsome representation of the film’s 35mm origins. Bravo to Arrow Video to bringing the same level of care to this transfer as the original 2003 remake.
The Extras
They include the following;
Brand new audio commentary on the Uncut Version with Dread Central co-founder Steve “Uncle Creepy” Barton and co-host of The Spooky Picture Show podcast Chris MacGibbon
Archival audio commentary on the Uncut Version with director Jonathan Liebesman and producers Andrew Form and Brad Fuller
Hoyt, Actually
Original Skins: KNB FX
Light and Sawdust
Down to the Bone: Anatomy of a Prequel, an archival making-of documentary
Deleted and extended scenes with optional commentary from director Jonathan Liebesman and producers Andrew Form and Brad Fuller
Theatrical trailer
The first of two commentary tracks is an all-new commentary track on the Uncut Version with Dread Central co-founder Steve “Uncle Creepy” Barton and co-host of The Spooky Picture Show podcast Chris MacGibbon begins with a discussion about their surprise that this was a prequel, though how a sequel could not have really occurred because of the events of the original 2003 film. Some of the details include the birthing scene – and how birthing scenes were a staple of the early 00s, with examples; the setup of the sequel, which leads to an interesting discussion of the other entries in the series and employment of the family; a discussion about scenes involving intimacy; their thoughts on this being a prequel; their first viewings of the film; the work of Andrew Bryniarski as Leatherface – including a personal anecdote about him; the newer remakes and entries into the TCM franchise; a discussion of the tonal differences between Tobe Hooper’s Texas Chainsaw Massacre and Texas Chainsaw Massacre Part 2; the video game that was released and how it tied to these films; the various gore FXs and set pieces and how effective they are; a larger discussion of the issues with this prequel; a larger discussion of the various actors that appear in the film; and much more.
The second track is an Archival audio commentary on the Uncut Version with director Jonathan Liebesman and producers Andrew Form and Brad Fuller, which opens with how the prequel began during the production of their Amityville Horror remake. Recorded together, this is a scene-specific commentary track that goes into detail on every aspect of the production, going into detail about the shooting of the film; the gore FXs – how it was accomplished and the work done by KNB FX; the post-production process – and the editing and reshooting; the story development and choices made in the story; the actors going from casting, directing, and working with them through the production; and much more.
Hoyt, Actually (10:48) – is an all-new interview with actor Lew Temple begins with the other icons of horror films that he needs to get the Mount Rushmore. Temple goes on to discuss how he was cast in the film and had to begin in a rush, the backstory he created for his character in the film, working with director Jonathan Liebesman and actor Andrew Bryniarski, an interesting easter egg about his character, and more.
Original Skins: KNB FX (15:15) – is an all-new interview with special effects makeup artist Jake Garber and special effects makeup technician Kevin Wasner begin with how they work on the production. Garber and Wasner go on to discuss how the FX department works in creating the appliances and using them on location during the production; the visual style of the prequel and the development of the looks of Leatherface; working with Matt Boomer on the centerpiece of the film; some of the techniques they used to accomplish the gruesome FX; and much more.
Light and Sawdust (15:18) – is an all-new interview with director of photography Lukas Ettlin begins with the thesis for the visual style of the film. Ettlin goes on to discuss the major differences between the original 1973 Hooper film and the 2005 remake, his work with director Jonathan Liebesman before this film and being hired on this film, the research that he and Liebesman would to understand the visual style Pearl and Nispel implemented on the 2003 film, some of the equipment they used to shoot the 35mm production – including Michael Bay shooting pickup shots, and much more.
Down to the Bone: Anatomy of a Prequel (45:04) – is an archival making-of documentary from the original DVD release of the film. Much like the making-of that was included in the 2003 film’s initial release, this is a thorough look at the making of the prequel. Beginning with the origins of the project, the development of the prequel after the success of the 2003 remake. From pre-production, production, post-production, make-up FX, history, everything is covered with a level of detail you just don’t get anymore with polished behind-the-scenes footage. Including interviews with director Jonathan Liebesman, producers Andrew Form and Brad Fuller, Stars Andrew Bryniarski, Lee R. Ermey, Matt Boomer, Jordana Brewster, and more.
Deleted and extended scenes – Bravo to Arrow Video for restoring these deleted and extended scenes, like in the 4K for the 2003 remake, in UHD (not just HD). Each can be played on their own, or there is a PLAY ALL option. Additionally, they can be played with optional commentary from director Jonathan Liebesman and producers Andrew Form and Brad Fuller.
Hoyt Protects Thomas (0:17)
Motel Scene – Extended (5:39)
Luda Mae Scolds Hoyt (0:30)
Chrissie Finds Dead – Extended (1:15)
Alternate Ending #1 (2:06)
Alternate Ending #2 (1:15)
Alternate Ending #3 (2:12)
Theatrical trailer (2:29)
The Final Thought
Arrow Video continues to provide beautiful and stacked 4K UHDs for cult classics. Recommended.
The prequel to the 2003 hit remake Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning comes to 4K UHD thanks to Arrow Video.
The Film
Prequels be prequeling.
That’s the name of the game here. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning purposes you want to know about how Leatherface and family became who they became, the murderous family they are. The film is as narratively inert as any prequel that was made in that era. Though one has to appreciate the conviction with which the film commits to being the ugliest version of a horror film it can be.
The film shows us baby Leatherface being born and growing up to work at the same abandoned meat packing plant featured in the first film. The family beings their murderous and cannibalistic rampage once the plant closes, leaving them no work or food. This coincides perfectly with two brothers (Matt Boomer and Taylor Handley) going to enlist in the army, off to Vietnam with their respective girlfriends (Jordana Brewster and Diora Baird). They never make it to enlist, as the family and Leatherface have other plans.
Jonathan Liebesman takes over directing duties for Marcus Nispel and pushes the gore quotient up to a ridiculous level, including and not limited to how Leatherface got his iconic leather face (I’ll give you a hint…). There is even less artistic merit in the prequel than in Nispel’s film. There is just no narrative drive, just a collection of explanations of how things came to be wrapped around some truly wild gore. If one wants to know how the sheriff played by R. Lee Ermey came to be sheriff, this is your jam. If you are looking for more than just puzzle pieces, one should go looking elsewhere.
The Transfer
Regardless of what one thinks of the film, this 4K UHD presentation in Dolby Vision (HDR10 compatible) of both the Theatrical Version and the Uncut Version is excellent. The highlight is the Dolby Vision encoding, like the 2003 entry highlights the black and contrast levels that are positively luminous, with details within those blacks is marvelous. The image is a sharp and handsome representation of the film’s 35mm origins. Bravo to Arrow Video to bringing the same level of care to this transfer as the original 2003 remake.
The Extras
They include the following;
The first of two commentary tracks is an all-new commentary track on the Uncut Version with Dread Central co-founder Steve “Uncle Creepy” Barton and co-host of The Spooky Picture Show podcast Chris MacGibbon begins with a discussion about their surprise that this was a prequel, though how a sequel could not have really occurred because of the events of the original 2003 film. Some of the details include the birthing scene – and how birthing scenes were a staple of the early 00s, with examples; the setup of the sequel, which leads to an interesting discussion of the other entries in the series and employment of the family; a discussion about scenes involving intimacy; their thoughts on this being a prequel; their first viewings of the film; the work of Andrew Bryniarski as Leatherface – including a personal anecdote about him; the newer remakes and entries into the TCM franchise; a discussion of the tonal differences between Tobe Hooper’s Texas Chainsaw Massacre and Texas Chainsaw Massacre Part 2; the video game that was released and how it tied to these films; the various gore FXs and set pieces and how effective they are; a larger discussion of the issues with this prequel; a larger discussion of the various actors that appear in the film; and much more.
The second track is an Archival audio commentary on the Uncut Version with director Jonathan Liebesman and producers Andrew Form and Brad Fuller, which opens with how the prequel began during the production of their Amityville Horror remake. Recorded together, this is a scene-specific commentary track that goes into detail on every aspect of the production, going into detail about the shooting of the film; the gore FXs – how it was accomplished and the work done by KNB FX; the post-production process – and the editing and reshooting; the story development and choices made in the story; the actors going from casting, directing, and working with them through the production; and much more.
Hoyt, Actually (10:48) – is an all-new interview with actor Lew Temple begins with the other icons of horror films that he needs to get the Mount Rushmore. Temple goes on to discuss how he was cast in the film and had to begin in a rush, the backstory he created for his character in the film, working with director Jonathan Liebesman and actor Andrew Bryniarski, an interesting easter egg about his character, and more.
Original Skins: KNB FX (15:15) – is an all-new interview with special effects makeup artist Jake Garber and special effects makeup technician Kevin Wasner begin with how they work on the production. Garber and Wasner go on to discuss how the FX department works in creating the appliances and using them on location during the production; the visual style of the prequel and the development of the looks of Leatherface; working with Matt Boomer on the centerpiece of the film; some of the techniques they used to accomplish the gruesome FX; and much more.
Light and Sawdust (15:18) – is an all-new interview with director of photography Lukas Ettlin begins with the thesis for the visual style of the film. Ettlin goes on to discuss the major differences between the original 1973 Hooper film and the 2005 remake, his work with director Jonathan Liebesman before this film and being hired on this film, the research that he and Liebesman would to understand the visual style Pearl and Nispel implemented on the 2003 film, some of the equipment they used to shoot the 35mm production – including Michael Bay shooting pickup shots, and much more.
Down to the Bone: Anatomy of a Prequel (45:04) – is an archival making-of documentary from the original DVD release of the film. Much like the making-of that was included in the 2003 film’s initial release, this is a thorough look at the making of the prequel. Beginning with the origins of the project, the development of the prequel after the success of the 2003 remake. From pre-production, production, post-production, make-up FX, history, everything is covered with a level of detail you just don’t get anymore with polished behind-the-scenes footage. Including interviews with director Jonathan Liebesman, producers Andrew Form and Brad Fuller, Stars Andrew Bryniarski, Lee R. Ermey, Matt Boomer, Jordana Brewster, and more.
Deleted and extended scenes – Bravo to Arrow Video for restoring these deleted and extended scenes, like in the 4K for the 2003 remake, in UHD (not just HD). Each can be played on their own, or there is a PLAY ALL option. Additionally, they can be played with optional commentary from director Jonathan Liebesman and producers Andrew Form and Brad Fuller.
Theatrical trailer (2:29)
The Final Thought
Arrow Video continues to provide beautiful and stacked 4K UHDs for cult classics. Recommended.
Arrow Video’s 4K UHD Edition of Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning is out now
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