Well, here's another movie that the kind folks at the OFLC decided was too nasty for us to see when it was submitted way back in the mid-eighties. And while it's not as nasty as this may suggest, it does have its moments - however it probably wasn't the gore that made the censors nervous, but rather a scene where Leatherface goes and ..... well, I wouldn't want to spoil that for you. Leatherface, the cook (Siedow the only returning cast member), Chop-Top (replacing the hitchhiker) and, of course, Grandpa are still living happily in Texas, turning various unfortunates into award-winning chili. A late-night DJ (whose overacted hysterics can't help but remind you of Laurie Metcalf from Roseanne) happens to overhear one of Leatherface's little escapades and becomes next on the Sawyer clan's shopping list. Her only chance is former Texas Ranger, Hopper, who has his own personal bone to pick with the Sawyers.

Whatever you do, don't expect the same sort of film as TCSM1. Remember, this was made in a post-Freddy mid-eighties when stupid one-liners were deemed necessary for horror film success. While it was that mainstream-friendly attitude that essentially killed the horror genre, TCSM2 doesn't fail to entertain. It's tasteless, dumb fun, and there's nothing wrong with that.

The transfer has its faults - a slightly grainy source print, and it's not anamorphic. But aside from that it looks pretty good. The stereo surround soundtrack is also pretty good but it won't excite with virtually no rear speaker activity and some minor distortion of Chop-Top's ramblings during the obligatory torture scene. The soundtrack does however feature The Cramps' 'Goo Goo Muck', which earns it an extra half-point.

Now this is one bare-bones release, right down to the cheap looking cover (such a shame as there was some really cool poster art for this movie). No commentary (surely MGM could have gotten Tom Savini or Hooper to contribute to a commentary), and let's face it, any true TCSM fans already have the trailer for Part 2 on their TCSM Pioneer Ed DVD, so for all intents and purposes this disk has no extra features at all.

Despite the lack of features and the average video and sound, this is a fun little romp, and at its budget price (you should be able to get it under $15US), you really can't go wrong.