The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning (2006)

Director: Jonathan Liebesman

Writer: Sheldon Turner

Tagline: The only thing more shocking than how it ended, is how it all began…

Actors: Jordana Brewster, Taylor Handley, Diora Baird, Matthew Bomer, Lee Tergesen, R. Lee Ermey, Andrew Bryniarski, Terrence Evans, Kathy Lamkin, Marietta Marich, Cyia Batten, Lew Temple

Runtime: 1h 36m

Category: Killer, Slasher, Torture

Synopsis: This is the beginning of the terror that is Leatherface! Brothers Eric and Dean are traveling with their girlfriends Chrissie and Monica across Texas, so the brothers can re-enlist in the Marines, when they run into the newly christened "Sheriff" Hoyt, after an accident, and almost robbery, by a female biker. The four are captured and taken to the Hewitt’s "little shop of horrors" and subjected to the whims and tortures of the sheriff and his demented and disturbed "nephew" Tommy. By this time in the film Tommy has developed into the killer he was raised and conditioned to be and has found his beloved chainsaw. What happens next can only be described as sick, twisted, demented, and visceral, as the teens attempt to escape Leatherface’s first murderous rampage.

Review: The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning (2006) was one of the more interesting bits of horror I've had the pleasure of watching multiple times! As the movie opens we see how Tommy is born and comes to be raised by the Hewitt family. After this we're treated to a dark and grisly montage of Tommy burning pictures of himself, sewing flesh, and skinning animals, giving you a view into the mentality that is Leatherface. For any fan of horror movies, or even just the Texas Chainsaw movies, this movie is a must own! It’s a tightly bound story and history on who Leatherface is. I'm very happy that this movie was kept free of “over the top” special effects and prosthetics, leaving it almost real and believable. The writing was done very well giving the viewer a history lesson on how and why Tommy started wearing human masks and why the Hewitt’s resorted to murder and cannibalism. The highlight of this film for me was seeing R. Lee Ermey as the sheriff. Ever since seeing him as the over the top drill sergeant in Full Metal Jacket (1987) I've been a huge fan. And who could ever forget the beautiful pieces of eye candy Jordana Brewster and Diora Baird?

Rating: 24. I personally loved the movie. Leatherface happens to be one of my favorite horror icons. The characters are just so real and believable it makes you scared to travel into small towns. For any fan of the Texas Chainsaw series I think this gives you all the answers you were looking for without going over the top. I think this film, along with the others, should be in every horror fans collection! (24of25).