Friday the 13th Part VIII Part 2: Manhattan is Taken Back

The “Under the Mask” Blog is an online outlet for the “Dont Go Out There” podcast hosts to further add creative content into the horror community.

by: Dustin Franklin

Friday the 13th: Part VIII: Part 2: Manhattan is Taken Back

The year is 1991. Jason Voorhees has been on the loose in The Big Apple for 2 years now, and cut scenes during the title card/opening credit sequence show that he’s very much alive, despite the events we were shown in the ending of part 8. He’s on a kill spree, and the city needs a hero— or heroes.

Pan to a dark alley. Jason has a group of club goers cornered. They should’ve taken a different exit. As he stalks them and creeps toward them with a machete, the young adults shriek in fear. The camera goes to the lone street light that’s illuminating the alleyway. Suddenly, a ninja’a sai cuts through the air and shatters the bulb. The alleyway is now pitch black. Inarticulate ninja noises ensue, and next we hear the scurrying sounds of the youths scampering away to safety.

Cut to a sewer beneath the streets. Could it be????

The Turtles are visibly shaken. They’ve been to war. In their discussion, we hear that they didn’t win their battle— they merely survived it. They’ve never faced a foe like this. He was so violent, so machinelike, so…already dead. As they plan their next move, no option is off the table.

Leonardo suggests the unthinkable: consulting their mortal enemy. Shredder. The group arranged a meeting with their regular opponent, and he doesn’t come alone. Bebop and Rocksteady are with him. They brought a friend, too. Casey Jones. After persuading the villains that their intentions are pure and they truly need help, Shredder listens. Leo pleads for the group to work together, because he knows Jason will not discriminate on his violent rampages. He will kill everyone he encounters. Shredder scoffs, and leaves them. He doesn’t care. A world without the Turtles is a world he can navigate more freely, and he feels he can handle Jason, or better yet, convince him to form an alliance down the road. Bebop and Rocksteady remain. They are scared, and want to extinguish this new threat.

So now we have 6 mutants and the ever reliable Jones, all ready to do whatever it takes to win this battle for Manhattan. They won’t be denied victory.

We get a training montage, showing Splinter and the Turtles coaching up their new allies. The montage also has cut scenes of Jason doing what he does best— killing. We see him in Central Park terrorizing picnics. We see him at Grand Central Terminal throwing people in front of trains. He’s at The Guggenheim destroying art and killing visitors. And lastly, we see him disrupt a Knicks game by walking on the court and killing a ref and two assistant coaches before the rest of the teams and fans escape.

Our final conflict takes place where it all began. Times Square. It’s night. Rainy. October. Our heroes got word of Jason slashing his way downtown, and are now on the scene. They circle Jason, hoping their strength in numbers will be enough. It’s not. A bloody and brutal fight ensues, and not without casualties. Jason takes out Rocksteady first, decapitating the rhino with his trusty machete. It looks like our champions are making progress and on the cusp of victory when another fatal blow lands. It’s Donatello. Stabbed through the bottom of his jaw. He’s gone. Casey Jones has also been chopped down, but he knew his chances heading in as the only mortal human in the fight. In the end, the heroes prevail, as Bebop’s rage over his fallen comrade sends him into a blind rage. He rushes Jason, tackles him, and struggles with him just long enough for Leonardo to use his katanas like a pair of scissors to remove Jason’s head from his shoulders. It’s over. The nightmare has ended.

Our remaining heroes are seen back at the Turtles’ lair. April O’Neil and Splinter provide first aid, and the group is planning their next phase of life. Somber conversation fills the air and they’re doing their best to make light of what they’ve just endured. Bebop says he can’t promise he’s a permanent ally, but our credits role as he shares a laugh and a “Cowabunga” with our survivors.

Cast:

Jason Voorhees: Derek Mears

Leonardo (Voice): Jeremy Renner

Raphael (Voice): Laz Alonso

Michelangelo (Voice): Zach Efron

Donatello (Voice): Donald Glover

Splinter (Voice): Hiroyuki Sanada

April O’Neil: Imogene Poots

Casey Jones: Chris Pratt

Shredder: Ken Watanabe

Bebop (Voice): John C Reilly

Rocksteady: (Voice): Dave Bautista