They have the potential to keep this franchise running and running (i hope they don't) but if they managed to do 500 Nightmare on Elm Streets, Halloween and Friday 13ths - then they'll easily manage on this one.
The formula is simple. Take the plot of the first movie and re tell it using different actors and scenarios!
The 3rd film in the series does just that. The opening rollercoaster scene is quite good, but not as impressive as the plane crash or pile up of the first 2 movies. From then on each 'surviour' is picked off one by one. I think this is the most fun part of the movie, but there aren't any of the classic shock deaths that the first one offered (I think one of the best 'deaths' in a movie was the girl getting hit by the bus)
Instead, they are aware that we know the routine and offer us more elaborate and thought out ways of killing off the teens. A couple of parts may make you jump, but this is generally a 'funny' movie and they've had fun with trying to be a gruesome as possible.
Only one reference is made to the second movie, whereas the first one is mentioned several times - probably because a different team were behind the 2nd movie.
A series of photos taken on the night gives the new 'detectives' an insight to the gruesome deaths heading their way. Despite thier attempts to 'save' the others, they don't ever work out that more often then not, they seem to contribute to it!!
Another thing that's odd about this one, is that there isn't much reaction to peoples deaths. FrienRAB and family of the victims don't appear and you don't see anyone being upset or scared that suddenly loaRAB of people are dying. This gives you the impression that this is a normal event in this town.
As expected, this one doesn't live up to the first ones, but it's still a decent enough movie. It won't win any awarRAB or leave you with a desire to see it again, but it's good to sit back and turn your brain off to.