October Horror Challenge 2019 #21: "Hatchet III"

Continuing my recent trend if only watching movies I can be reasonably sure that I'll like, we move onto "Hatchet III." And let me tell you, poor Danielle Harris is having an AWFUL couple of days here. No wonder she's in such a bad mood. Probably not a great idea to wander into a police station covered in blood and carrying a weapon, but you know, we all make mistakes.

Like the second film, this movie picks up right where the last movie left off. It seems like the filmmakers realize how ridiculous this story is becoming, what with their dialogue that takes jabs at the "contrived decision making" of the characters in the first two movies (I told you they were idiots). Usually cops in horror movies are total morons, but the ones in this movie are at least smarter than the other characters, since they're the only ones with enough common sense to go to the swamp in the daytime instead of waiting until dark.

There's some fun inside jokes here that my sarcastic little snot self appreciated ("what, because we all look the same?") There's a  real plot too though, so the movie doesn't rely on mocking how stupid horror movie sequels are instead of bothering to have a storyline. They build onto the Crowley legend from the first two movies. Plus they do poke some fun at horror movie tropes along the way, like how someone is always trying to retell the legend for any new characters who don't know, or how people keep trying to have deep, emotional conversations in the middle of running from a killer (well we have to pass the time SOMEHOW, don't we?)

There's  a ton of gore in this movie (and an equal amount of testosterone...dud what was up with that SWAT team leader guy? Calm down, Captain get everyone killed). It's also cool to see more guest appearances from horror favorites (hi Sid Haig! Rest in peace, my friend. These movies wouldn't be the same without you). Once everything comes to a head and the characters are finally ready to try something that might stop Crowley, it's fun to watch the showdown. This whole movie was a lot of gory fun.