So recently I rewatched every Friday the 13th film, which isn't that straightforward as I've ended up with a mix of UK, US and German blu rays (yes there is a complete box set, but it's rare and expensive). This must be the only long-running franchise where I can get at least some enjoyment out of every entry, whereas I wouldn't watch the later Hellraiser or Howling films if you paid me. So I think I am now legally obliged to rank them:
11: Jason Goes to Hell - a great opening scene, but beyond that this is utterly lame. Yes they tried to do something different, but you don't make a Jason film where Jason is barely in it. This is the only film where it actively felt like work to get through
10: Jason Takes Manhattan - I don't hate the boat part as much as a lot of people, even if his ridiculous teleporting kills any sense of tension. I do like the running joke of no one in New York paying any attention and that chase is fun, but the ending in the tunnel is awful and overall it's far too slow
9: Part 3 - woah dude, 3D! It's like you're really there! Except what that really means is out of focus characters pointing things at the screen. Other than a few creepy shots at the end, and him obtaining the mask and machete, completely forgettable.
8: 2009 remake - once all the utterly insufferable supporting characters has been killed off this actually becomes a pretty decent film. It's just that for me the gritty realistic tone doesn't suit it as well, missing the charm of the originals. I do like how much more mobile Jason is here, but he also now feels more sadistic than just incredibly pissed off, and taking captives feels completely out of character.
7: Part 1 - usually, the original is by far the best. Problem is, aside from some good kills there's an awful lot of nothing happening. Whilst Pamela is very memorable, people seem to forget she just appears out of nowhere for the final act, which isn't a good idea in a murder mystery film.
6: The New Blood - whilst in many ways a step back, and hurt by the enforced removal of gore, I still found it quite fun and it has my favourite version of Jason. He just feels like he is done with everyone's shit, so is just out to kill everyone as quickly as he can so he can get some damn sleep.
5: The Final Chapter - a solid entry, repetition is setting in by this point and it's definitely the sleaziest entry, but lots of great kills means it's always entertaining.
4: A New Beginning - by any objective measure, this is shit, with a truly awful killer reveal. But the thing is it's so batshit crazy, with the ice cream kill, robot dancing and redneck mother & son who seem to be the same age, that I kindof love it. When I learned it was made by a coked-out former porn director who just let his cast improv, I was not at all surprised.
3: Part 2 - for what is nothing more than a rushed cash grab to a rushed cash grab, this is far better than it has any right to be. Good pace, good kills, good finale, it all comes together really well.
2: Jason X - trash even by the standards of the franchise, but it knows full well it's trash, so the results are highly entertaining. We get a new setting, a big bodycount and Uber Jason, and that is just fine by me.
1: Jason Lives - this of all of them feels like the perfect balance of the formula, a celebration rather than a cash grab and just outright fun from beginning to end.