The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: the Franchise Introduction

Texas, as it’s affectionately known here at House of Sequels, is not an easy franchise to review. Each of us have our preferences, and while we are all delighted with our favorite devices, they do come few and far between, and none of them work for all three of us at the same time*. Though really, shouldn't all films end with a dancing chainsaw silhouette fade out?

The series follows a, let's say, loving and close knit family deep in the heart of Texas. Yes, they're a little misunderstood, but aren't all families?  Here we have a family down on their luck.  They've lost their livelihood, and they're just trying to make it in a world that is slowly passing them by.  The Sawyer family is trying the best they know how to keep food on the table.  Hell, we here at the House have eaten lungs, hearts, tripe... even whale! What's to say any of you wouldn't do what you had to do to keep your family fed?

*The exception is Texas 2, which is just all around great. Yes, even the ending.