The dream opening of part V gets everything right about Jason, imo. Perfect boogeyman look, performance, and feel for the character.
I know he was only in there briefly but that ending of the original Ft13th with the undead child Jason also perfectly encapsulated the boogeyman aspect much like the V opening did, just for child Jason.
Minus the comedy (which is fine as the movie is super entertaining but I prefer the character to be taken more seriously and the comedy mainly comes from the character interactions so the horror stays intact) I also love the part VI Jason. He has that boogeyman quality but more personality than the Hodder Jasons (not that Kane’s Jason was missing personality, but he wasn’t given much to work with).
I think Steven Culp (Robert, the tabloid reporter) in Jason Goes to Hell when he becomes possessed by Jason does a great job as well. It’s different than most other takes save for part III as he’s a bit more sinister and sadistic, it’s a nice break from the rampaging Terminator-like killer, backwoods savage, or practically anti-hero depictions of Jason that occupy most of the series.
Dream Jason is a good’un. My only problem with it is that John Hock, the guy filling in for Tom Morga in those scenes, is a bit too short imo. Great look though.
Agreed about Robert Culp as well.
I hate the Jason Lives hockey mask. It looks like a dinner plate, and it’s too clean. Keep the same design but stick an exact replica of the Final Chapter mask on it and it would have been fantastic.
Richard Brooker and Ted White are my Jasons. This is when they finally got the look down for the character. Best look w/o the mask is The Final Chapter.
IMO, Brooker and White are head and shoulders above all others, both in their look and their performance. I much prefer Jason when he was “alive” compared to “zombie” Jason. I feel like every Jason actor, from P6 onward, is just ripping off Dick Warlock in H2 with their slow robotic movements and head tilts. Jason is scarier when he runs, like he does in Parts 3 & 4.
Of the zombie Jasons, though, I think Kane’s performance and look in P7 is pretty good.
