This first sequel to the gritty original is tongue-in-cheek from the get-go with none of the disturbing realism of the first; but really when you consider it - it is a logical step for the series to take.

The cannibalistic clan is back and making prize-winning chili out of their victims and living in a burnt out amusement park (which has decent set design) but when one of their murders ends up being recorded by a local radio DJ (Caroline Williams, who's definitely a "screamer") they go after her. Little do they know on their trail is "not quite sane" Texas sheriff Dennis Hoopper who just happens to be the brother of the wheelchair bound kid they killed in the first film.

This is a disappointing and noisy sequel that proceeds to fall apart in the last third but before we get to the weak finale (in which even a chainsaw duel between Hopper and Leatherface can't save it) there are a few decent chuckles, some alright gore by Tom Savini (the "head saw" that opens the movie rocks quite hard), a good "jump" moment at the radio station and Bill Moseley's movie stealing over-the-top performance as family member "Chop Top" (who's not above heating up a coat hanger to take chunks out of his head to eat). And it's always good to see an actor like Hopper in a total genre pic - it's just that he's totally wasted.

Followed by Leatherface: The Texas Chainsaw Massacre III.

Directed By: Tobe Hooper.
Written By: L.M. Kit Carson.

Starring: Dennis Hopper, Caroline Williams, Jim Siedow, Bill Moseley.

Picture Ratio: 1.85:1 Widescreen (Full Frame on flipside).

Picture Quality: A passable transfer from MGM (who usually do better than this); this is an acceptable picture but suffers from too much grain and so-so clarity.

Extras: All we get here is a trailer - which is fine by me.