Alexandre Aja gets it right

Rating: 8/10 (6 August 2006)

A remake of the 1977 film by Wes Craven with the same name.
A family on their way to California go through a remote portion of the New Mexico desert in effort to cut down on travel time. When they have an accident (that's not really an accident) and get stuck out there in the middle of nowhere they realize that they are not alone. A group of people living out in the desert that has fallen victim to radioactive mutation starts to terrorize them.
Unlike the original Aja keeps a strong focus on atmosphere and keeping certain key things shrouded in darkness or off frame until the opportune moment for a shock comes along. That is really the main difference in this version from the original and it works to great effect. The original gave the mutant way too much screen time and that took away much of the horror and the atmosphere become more uncomfortable rather than scary. He not only is the atmosphere eerie, even though much of the film takes place during day, but the visceral shock is also much more intense. Featuring a good use of computer and prosthetic effect seamlessly blended together this film provides some of the best visceral horror around anywhere. Alexandre Aja is a good path to becoming a horror master now that he has both 'High Tension' and this film on his short, but impressive, resume.
One slightly annoying thing in this version, that wasn't in the original, is the opening scene. In 'Hills 1977' Wes Craven just got right down to business and showed an eerie shot of the desert at twilight. Here we get an admittedly shocking, but kind of generic horror film opening with a few nameless victims getting done in. How many times since 'Jaws' has that been done? But it really doesn't matter, since it is a good set up for the intensity that will come at you full force later in the film. 8/10
DVD release is unrated and contains intense brutal violence/gore, a rape scene, and profanity