Just like in the original 1974 film the same basis goes here aswell. Call this a remake if you will but to me nothing seems really the same at all. Of course it has it's similarities but besides Leatherface everything else feels pretty new. It's kind of like the film got a make-over in a way. So the big question is does this film hold up to the original made nearly 30 years ago? The answer is...absolutely. What that film was back then is what this film is today. Sure the original is a great film, it's a masterpiece that will go down in history as one of the greatest horror films of all time. A landmark picture that opened the doorway for all horror films to come along since then. But to hold up now and scare you the way it did back then is a little difficult. Sure it's still creepy and will stick with you for days after viewing it but it's not as easy to relate to the situation. The new version brings everything up to date and lets you feel yourself in the same situation these five kids are placed in. Not to mention that this film takes a totally different approach. The original went about itself building up the intense moments with silence. Where this version brings in the loud buzzing of the chainsaw and where in the original the gore was only implied, it's now shown in all of it's bloody glory. Whether that's your style or not it's done tastefully and done well. The characters are very believable yet you sometimes wonder what happened to a few of them. A few of the death scenes are very quick and they don't exactly show a whole lot. Leaving you to wonder, what exactly happened? One of the few flaws this film has. Another big difference from the original is "Leatherface" in the original he was a little more laid back and seemed to be ruled by his father. In this one not only is he much bigger and quicker. He's just down right mean. They've also thrown in a little bit of a twist explaining the whole reason for the masks he wears which was a little bit of a downfall to the film. Overall the film turned out to be a success. The feel of the original is there and the gore that wasn't in the original is now there. So, if you're a horror fan that is a little hesitant on checking this one out. Don't be, do yourself a favor and give it a chance. Sure remakes have a bad reputation, but to call this a remake is absurd. It's not shot for shot, and has plenty of new twists to surprise you with.

Rating: 8.0/ 10