Jason X (2001) (4K Ultra HD Review)
DIRECTED BY: James Isaac
STARRING: Lexa Doig, Lisa Ryder, Chuck Campbell
RATED: R/Region: O/1:85/2160P/NUMBER OF DISCS 1
AVAILABLE FROM Arrow Video
Jason X is the moment the Friday the 13th franchise looked at itself in the mirror, shrugged, and said, “Screw it—space.” And honestly? That kind of reckless confidence deserves a little respect. This is the movie where Jason Voorhees finally does what every long-running horror icon eventually threatens to do: leave Earth because there’s literally nowhere dumber left to go.
Yes, the premise is ridiculous. Jason is cryogenically frozen, wakes up in the future, and starts slaughtering horny space cadets on a spaceship that looks like a SyFy Channel set dressed up for Halloween. It’s pure B-movie nonsense, and the film knows it. Jason X doesn’t ask you to take it seriously—it dares you not to laugh, then immediately rewards you with something insane.
The kills are where this movie earns its keep. They’re creative, cruel, and often hilariously over-the-top. The liquid nitrogen face smash alone could carry an entire sequel on its back, and the holodeck sleeping bag scene is so self-aware it might actually be the smartest joke in the franchise. Jason himself remains an unstoppable tank of bad vibes, and when he gets his cyber-upgrade, the movie fully commits to the bit. It’s dumb. It’s glorious. It works.
Arrow Video’s 4K release has absolutely no right to look this good. The image is clean, sharp, and surprisingly vibrant, revealing details in the production design and effects that were probably never meant to be scrutinized this closely. Grain is intact, contrast is strong, and the whole thing feels lovingly presented rather than mocked. It’s the rare case where a high-end restoration makes you appreciate just how competently this ridiculous movie was actually put together.
In the end, Jason X is stupid in the most entertaining way possible. It’s a franchise at rock bottom deciding to dig sideways into orbit—and somehow striking campy gold. Thanks to Arrow’s absurdly nice 4K presentation, Jason in space has never looked better, or more gloriously unnecessary.
Extras
- Commentaries
- Commentary with Film Historians Michael Felsher and Steve Barton*
- Commentary with Writer Todd Farmer and Author Peter Bracke
- Commentary with Jim Isaac, Todd Farmer and Noel Cunningham
- Scoring the Stars* (HD; 9:53) is an interview with composer Harry Manfredini.
- Outta Space: The Making of Jason X * (HD; 33:10) features Noel Cunningham, Sean S. Cunningham, Kane Hodder and Todd Farmer.
- In Space No One Can Hear You Scream* (HD; 23:11) is an interview with Todd Farmer.
- Kristi Is a Headbanger (HD; 11:13) is an interview with Kristi Angus.
- Jason Rebooted (HD; 15:33) is an interview with Sean S. Cunningham.
- The Many Lives of Jason Voorhees (HD; 29:55) offers a history of the character.
- By Any Means Necessary: The Making of Jason X (HD; 17:35) is an archival making of featurette.
- Cast & Crew Interviews (HD; 51:42)
- Behind the Scenes Footage (HD; 56:48)
- Electronic Press Kit (HD; 24:49)
- Trailers (HD; 5:51)
- TV Spots (HD; 3:18)
- Stills Gallery (HD) offers 270 (!) images.
- Posters and Behind the Scenes Gallery (HD)
- Introduction from Actor Kane Hodder (HD; 00:43) is accessible under the Play Menu and is authored to lead directly into the main feature.
