Horror Extreme Movie Catalog

Tobe Hooper is without a doubt one of the greatest horror movie directors the genre has ever seen. With movies like "Salem's Lot", "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre", "The Funhouse" and "Poltergeist" under his belt, it's safe to say that his place as a director in the hall of fame of horror movie directors is secure. However, we also have Hooper to thank for the asinine "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre Part 2" as well. Oh well, I guess nobody's perfect. Indeed, one viewing of Tobe Hooper's "The Toolbox Murders" only confirms this fact.

At any rate, Tobe Hooper took a shot at a remake of sorts in "The Toolbox Murders" which is actually a remake of a trashy exploitation film known as "The Toolbox Murders" (1978) which is notorious for its mysogynistic themes. In the remake, a couple move into a rather rough looking apartment building of considerable "charm" as its landlord would suggest. Angel Bettis stars as Nell, our protagonist, who attempts to solve the mystery of the killings in her apartment building. As you hopefully have already figured out, all of the murders in this film are committed with a tool out of the ole toolbox. Anyway, it's up to Nell to save the day and solve the mystery behind the toolbox killings.

The acting is pretty good in "The Toolbox Murders" for the type of people the movie was trying to portray, and the plot execution is satisfactory; however, I found myself strangely indifferent about the fate of the characters. Despite Angela Bettis' adequate acting, she really is annoying, but then again so is the rest of the cast. At any rate, the story and script are also sufficient in this movie, but there is nothing exceptional about "The Toolbox Murders" in any way, shape or form. "The Toolbox Murders" is one of those movies you really cannot criticize but, at the same time, you really cannot laud it either. Basically, "The Toolbox Murders" is a bit of a throw-back to old slasher days with a mysterious yet sinister killer with an affinity for tools and this particularly awful high-rise apartment. The murder scenes are not too bad either as there is some blood and gore to be had in this film, but certainly nothing to write home about. In a sense, there is some suspense about the identity of the killer and his motives, but some fans may be disappointed in what they ultimately get. I actually liked the mystery behind the killer and his strange connection with the apartment building as I think the movie benefits from this aspect, but not enough to put this movie over the top. The prowess of the killer is also impressive and fits in rather nicely with the story. That being said, "The Toolbox Murders" seems to be completely lacking that special something that makes good horror movies great.

"The Toolbox Murders" represents one of those "middle of the road" horror flicks which really does not try anything new, but to its credit, attempts to get back to the good of yesteryear for the horror genre, and relishes in its own simplicity. Of course, the problem is that the concept behind this film has been executed bigger and better from a style standpoint as well as substantively in horror films that came before it. Moreover, "The Toolbox Murders" lacks essential atmospherics that create tension in the audience which is so important to making a horror movie scary. Unfortunately, "The Toolbox Murders" really is not that scary, but there is plenty of violence. It just goes to show you that the devil is in the details when it comes to horror. In other words, it is not necessarily what happens in a horror movie that scares the audience, but rather it is the way in which it happens and the atmosphere which surrounds those circumstances that really scares the viewer...this is the kind of horror movie that I am after and, unfortunately, there are so few of these that actually exist, much less coming out of today's Hollywood. (I know I should give up, but the quest continues.)

The creative genius of Tobe Hooper was certainly not on display in "The Toolbox Murders". Still, this movie has some merit to it in its own simplicity. After all, it is certainly a lot better than most of today's trash. With some exceptions, Hooper largely accomplishes what he set out to do in "The Toolbox Murders" substantively-speaking, but, perhaps, he should have been a little more ambitious by being a little more original and imaginative in his presentation and style.

Well, in concluding this review, I must say that The HorrorMan is feeling like Santa Claus on this April Fool's Day, so 2.49 STARS for "The Toolbox Murders" even though it probably doesn't quite deserve it. What can I say? I wanted to like it more than I did, but it is what it is.

I was so suprised by this movie! It was one of the best slasher flicks I've seen in a long time. Yes, there are some HUGE plot holes that don't get filled in even a little, but it makes up for it with it's grusome killings decent acting, and a super creepy setting. This is going on my to buy list!