one great remake

Rating: 8/10 (23 April 2006)

Between 1945 and 1962, the United States conduct 331 atmospheric nuclear tests in the New Mexico desert. Present day, the radio active fallout has deformed and mutated people living in the test area. When a group of scientist are savagely attacked, the Carter family are not far away, travelling by caravan to California. Head of the family, Big Bob, an ex-cop is stubborn, and despises his son in law, Doug who votes democratic and anti-gun lobbyist. Doug's wife Lynn tries to separate them as much as possible, while caring for their baby Catherine. Daughter Brenda rather be at the beach, mother Ethel once a hippie finds solace in religion and son Bobby who's along for the ride. At a decrepit gas station, a nameless attendant tells of a dirt road short cut through the hills. When the tires blow and the car crashes, the family soon find they're not alone.
The Hills Have Eyes is a remake of Wes Craven's film of the same title. Unfamilar of Wes Craven's version, director Alexandre Aja has created a well crafted and suspenseful horror film. Aja takes time to set the scene and to flesh out the characters. The family dynamic is believable and honest; Bob dislike of Doug, small squibs between the siblings and parents. The emotional investment in the characters is genuine; which a lot of modern day horror films lack, making the experience all the harder to watch.
Aja has also injected a lot of subtext, with the anti-nuclear testing and the governments denial. One point shows one of the mutated villains singing the Star Spangled Banner and honoring the American Flag, even to the knowledge that the 'normal people' made them the way they are. There is also small looks on family dynamics.
As shown from Aja previous film High Tension, Aja is not ashamed to throw the blood and gore around. High Tension had a sense of violence for violence sake; it was really untamed. This time Aja restrains himself; though this is still very graphic and very violent, it has more style and holds more merit to it.
This has some of the best acting in a horror film of late. Ted Levine and Kathleen Quinlan are great as the parents. Emilie de Ravin, Dan Byrd and Vinessa Shaw are also great as the siblings. Really driving the film is Aaron Stanford as Doug. He makes Doug's transformation from weak anti-gun man, to gunslinging, ruthless killer credible.
The Hills Have Eyes is one of the best remakes and horror films of late; it's unsettling and an exhausting ride.