Adam Green presents the third instalment to the greatest slasher series seen since the heroes of the 70’s and 80’s that paved the way for the genre. Leaving director duties to BJ McDonnell, Green is still writer and producer leaving the series still firmly in his hands.

Recapping and picking up just moments after the conclusion of ‘Hatchet 2’, this sequel carries on the momentum as Marybeth (Danielle Harris) scalps the skull of Victor Crowley and walks bloodied and worn by the events that happened in part 2 straight into a police station.

Without taking in the appearance lightly, the police arrest her and search the swamp to find dozens of bodies left behind by the ghost of the swamp. Luckily on her side, journalist and Crowley investigator Amanda (Caroline Williams) sets about ending the curse once and for all.

Meanwhile in the midst of the swamp, the police and coroners find not only the remains of those who entered before, but the botched up body of Victor and as he’s bagged and tagged, it becomes gruesomely evident, the curse isn’t over and a team of mercenaries head into the swamp to do what they do best… Die very grizzly deaths.

Expect all of the blood, guts and prosthetics of the predecessors and in addition, ‘Hatchet 3’ makes a focus on a story that sets to close the franchise for good. Unfortunately this slows down the pace and loses the hack and slash feeling and innovative deaths-a-plenty of the first two films.

As far as a closing chapter to the legacy of Victor Crowley go, this is perfect. For newcomers to the franchise it’s not the best starting point as the diluted formula, while still soaked in blood, feels a little shallow.

Harris manages to hold her own as the heroine as has done throughout her career and continues to show why she is the Queen of Scream Queens. In addition turns from Zach Galligan and Robert Diago DoQui as Heney Island police steal a few scenes but it is Kane Hodder’s beast that still has the biggest presence raging strength and determination to destroy everyone in his path.

‘Hatchet 3’ is by no means a bad film and puts most threequels to shame. While the consistency and style of the films is present throughout and it’s obvious that BJ McDonnell was the camera operator throughout the series, this still manages to entertain. By focusing on the end of the saga and an imminent closure to Crowley’s reign of terror, it somehow lacks the fun that made the series so… well, fun!

The only remaining question is… Can you really kill a ghost? Only time will tell but in a recent interview with the series creator and prominence throughout the film, this very well could be the end.