As a fan of Leatherface and the franchise, I can't say the film was "good."
In fact, none of the TCM films are particularly "good," technically speaking. They feature weak plots, unimaginative stories, and underdeveloped characters.
However, the first one was original, very well made, and got it's point across.
It was meant to be gritty, documentary-like and shocking. The second one was goofy and entertaining. The third was decent, mostly because of Ken Foree, and Viggo Mortensen, the fourth was a stupid retread, saved only by McCoughnahey's fun performance, and the 2003 reboot, was dark, glossy looking, and thrilling.
Like I said, none of them are particularly "good" movies, however, they are mostly fun to watch, and the first and 2003 version especially, instill a good sense of psychological terror in the audience.
That being said, the BEGINNING was a solid entry in the series. It is also, by far the most brutal. The tone and lighting of the film reminded me more of the original than the 2003 version did. The dinner scene and the heroine escaping especially brought back memories.
R. Lee Ermey definitely steals the show, playing a role he does best, and is funny to watch. Many of the violent killings are hard to watch, and are not for the squeamish, and the ending was especially ballsy, but I suppose it was expected.
Overall, a brutal, but suspensful slasher flick. I would probably rank the series like this:
1. The Texas Chain Saw Masacre '74/ Texas Chainsaw Massacre '03 tied
2. Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning
3. Texas Chainsaw Massacre Part 2
4. Leatherface: The Texas Chainsaw Massacre III
5. Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation