We could sit here and discuss space nonsense for decades and decades ad nauseum about how horror franchises love to jump the proverbial shark and take their franchise to new and incredibly dumb heights. Hellraiser did it with their fourth entry (though that was a mess because of studio interference which we dove into with our review ) but how do you up the stakes for the unkillable Crystal Lake killer? Well, you cryogenically freeze him and reignite the fuel in space … because why not? Fresh blood in the form of Todd Farmer (Drive Angry) behind the script and James Isaac (House III: The Horror Show) behind the camera for direction launched Jason somewhere he’d never been. If you’re a fan of the franchise and had toughed it out to this point, then there really wasn’t going to be anything that could turn you off from it.
Jason X (2001), the follow up to Jason Goes to Hell: The Final Friday (1993), takes place in space. Space doesn’t have anything to do with the plot other than being a cool setting that makes this film all that more over-the-top and ridiculous. It literally could’ve taken place in an escape room, a prison, anywhere really confined. This is also the final appearance we get for Kane Hodder (Jason X) in the role of Jason Voorhees. The infamous killer takes out his frustrations of being frozen and released on Rowan (Lexa Doig), Kay-Em 14 (Lisa Ryder), Professor Lowe (Jonathan Potts), Sgt. Brodski (Peter Mensah), and Janessa (Melyssa Ade). While there is nothing revolutionary about the film itself or its script, it is incredibly campy, even going so far as to call out the sheer chaos that is unfolding using a fourth wall break to unify the experiences of the characters and of the audience. If you’re watching the 10th entry in a franchise that has continued to redefine how unkillable a killer can be, including killing and reincarnating him, then you know you’re getting something over-the-top, nonsensical, and just plain fun. Make no mistake; Jason X isn’t a “good” movie by definition, but it certainly is an entertaining at the bare minimum.
JASON X 4K UHD packshot. Photo courtesy of Arrow Video.
Again, as previously mentioned for Jason Goes to Hell, if you have the Friday the 13th box set from Scream Factory, you’re asking yourself if you should double dip into the Jason X 4K, surely. While the 4K disc is emphatically better looking, it is not galaxies better than the Blu-ray but is still, nonetheless, a nice upgrade that makes the colors pop more, increases the definition, and reduces the grain. While the better presentation exposes more of the low budget feel to the film, it adds more to the campy aspect of Jason X, so it may be a nitpick and bother for some, but makes it almost more entertaining for others as the gore is that much more bright and contained, giving fans what they’re really after. Being stored on a BD100 disc allows the gore to flow fast and fresh at a step above the Scream box set, encouraging fans of this entry to inevitably double dip for the 4K.
When it comes to special features, whether they be physical or digital, Arrow never misses a beat with creating extensive bonuses for collectors to salivate over. Along with all of the archival features from the Scream box set, there are two new features included: an audio commentary with Michael Felsher and Steve Barton, and a feature called “Scoring the Stars,” an interview with Harry Manfredini (Friday the 13th series), the composer of Jason X. Arrow’s standard bonuses are also here, including the reversible sleeve, original and new art by Gary Pullin, again, along with the poster featuring that art, and a booklet with new writings by Matt Donato and JA Kerswell.
While Jason X may not be the greatest entry in the franchise, picking it up in 4K while already owning a previously released version, is warranted for those who enjoy it since the quality is improved. This is not for someone who has never seen Jason X or for the casual viewer. This is for the diehards, the true fans of the franchise and all of its chaotic charm and energy. Arrow knocks it straight out of the park and brings a new glorious transfer to 4K that certainly exposes more than was possibly intended.
Jason X Special Features:
- Introduction to the film by actor Kane Hodder
- Audio commentary with film historians Michael Felsher and Steve “Uncle Creepy” Barton
- Archival audio commentary with writer Todd Farmer and author Peter Bracke
- Archival audio commentary with director Jim Isaac, writer Todd Farmer and producer Noel Cunningham
- Scoring the Stars, a brand new interview with composer Harry Manfredini
- Outta Space: The Making of Jason X, an archival documentary on the making of the film featuring interviews with producers Noel Cunningham and Sean S. Cunningham, actor Kane Hodder and writer Todd Farmer
- In Space No One Can Hear You Scream, an archival interview with writer Todd Farmer
- Kristi Is a Headbanger, an archival interview with actor Kristi Angus
- Jason Rebooted, Sean S. Cunningham on Jason Goes to Hell and Jason X
- The Many Lives of Jason Voorhees, an archival documentary on the history of the character
- By Any Means Necessary: The Making of Jason X, archival making-of documentary
- Cast and crew interviews
- Behind-the-scenes footage
- Electronic Press Kit
- Theatrical trailers and TV spots
- Still, behind-the-scenes and poster galleries
Available on 4K UHD Blu-ray May 20th, 2025.
For more information, head to the official Arrow Video Jason X webpage.
For more information, head to the official MVD Entertainment Group Jason X webpage.
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Categories: Home Release, Recommendation
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