This film has the potential to mess you up

Rating: 10/10 (16 June 2008)

Well first off let me state that any time I watch a remake of a classic horror film I get worried. When a Stranger Calls, The Fog, The Hitcher, Prom Night, And House of Wax sucked!!! Not scary, not original, not smart, and not faithful to the original. Not to mention they all make the mistake of casting good-looking teen actors that are so dumb & unlikeable, luckily this film didn't make that mistake. This remake of Wes Craven classic The Hills Have Eyes (1977) is not only faithful to the original, but it's scary, visceral, and so brutal that it could mess you up for life (if your too simple minded that is).
This story follows the exact same flow as the original,and has the same theme of Good family Vs. Evil Family, but there are a few alterations that just add more suspense & horror. the evil family was horribly disfigured by Radiation Fallout from nuclear testing. They lived in this mining community but the residents were forced out by the military so the government could test nuclear weapons in the area. Tragically the family refused to leave their home. So now not only are they a family of cannibals, but they are angry deformed cannibals Which makes them far more terrifying & disturbing. The Cannibals prey upon unsuspecting travelers not only because they are primary source of food but because they angry at what they perceive society has done to them. The good family (The Carter's) are your typical All-American suburban family, not perfect, and not completely likable but not every family is, so they really seemed like a genuine regular family
I love this film because it's almost identical to the original, but it make some alterations to add suspense, keep a sense of unknown, and adds far more Blood & gore then I even thought possible. Cinematography plays a big role too. The Carter's drive into wasteland of a desert, surrounded by hills. They end up in the middle of nowhere, it creates a sense of helplessness & dread, a great horror film uses the scenery to creep you out. It's everyone's worst nightmare; to be attacked and not a soul on earth can help or even hear you. The music is also very unsettling, and helps build tension.
Then we come to the point were Blood is everywhere and the shear brutality of this film really makes you uncomfortable. The Dad is burnt alive, The Dog is Ripped open, The Daughter is Raped, The mothers are shot to death, and the baby is kidnapped! holy crap! Of course this is all controversial but Sadly these kinda things happen in real life. This movie asks a morale question; if your family or loved ones are brutally murdered or threatened, will you find it in yourself to retaliate, could you be so brutal & ruthless when it comes to survival? All the violence is truly terrifying and throws you into survival mode. The surviving Carter members suddenly pushed into this primitive state of violence, but they know they are doing what they need to do in order to survive. Doug is the geeky salesman of the group, He is a democrat, a liberal, and doesn't believe in guns or violence. But the scene where he sees his Wife mutilated on the floor and his baby abducted, he completely breaks down we see a man loose everything he holds dear. It's interesting to see extreme violence come out of people we never thought could be violent, but if you had to be so violent to save yourself & your child.... Would you? Cause in the end in order to survive and save his baby, Doug becomes a blood soaked, Axe & Shot gun wielding maniac.
This film is filled with blood & gore which is so awesome cause Im into those kind of horror films, but it's better because it has meaning to it (again the concept of violence in people). It's scary like hell, there are so many times when you feel creep out & uncomfortable, and the tension is at a constant high. I know there are many people who are overwhelmed by this film, all I can say is; if you don't have the stomach for it don't watch, this is a film for blood soaked horror nerds like myself :)