Because this rich, multilayered story still has so much to reveal:
You know what would be funny? Never point the chainsaw into the camera, and have it shoot out at the audience. Not once. People would keep expecting it. They'd stay through the credits. They'd ask for their money back. But it was 3D, the manager would say. "Yeah but the chainsaw never came at us rowwwrrrr, rowwwrrrr, rowwwrrrr, you know, all dripping with blood 'n' stuff." Sorry, but that's not a reason for a refund.
What's it about, you ask? An imdb comment explains the appeal: "The movie tells a fairly simple tale at heart. A group of five teenagers driving through rural Texas happen upon a deranged, cannibalistic family. Psychological terror and chainsaws ensue." That they do. The original, made in 1974, still works as a gruesome period piece, and the remakes added little. But they did remind a new generation of filmgoers that if you find yourself in a rural backwater, walking through a deserted ramshackle house with filthy meat cleavers hanging on the walls and rooms filled with jars that contain parts of small dolls, arm yourselves, and run. If you see a toothless cackling grandpappy, run straight past him; do not go back or go off at a 90 degree angle, because that's how they get you to head straight for the guy with the chainsaw. Really, people, it's not that difficult.
