Don't give it too much credit

Rating: 6/10 (23 March 2006)

While leaving the theater after seeing, "The Hills Have Eyes", I was somewhat disappointed. I did enjoy the movie and I'll admit that I was given a few chills and scares throughout, but I can't say that this film is much different than most horror movies of this era.
The story is about a family that is own a traveling vacation (where they could be going is beyond me)through the deserts of the western U.S. We find them in New Mexico where the closest thing to civilization is a run down wooden gas stop ran by an alcoholic loner who is so effected by his location and situation, he doesn't know how to act. While using the man's "shortcut" through the giant hills of the vast desert, their truck and campers' wheels are popped by a spike strip. They are now stranded in the middle of nowhere with no cell phone signal. The only thing in the vicinity is a large group of freaks who were effected by the radiation of A-Bombs that the government tested on the desert land. They are now man-hunting cannibals that are undeniably somewhat retarded.
From here on the action of the movie maintains a solid state and never fails to keep the surprises coming. But a smart audience will see past that action and notice the poorness of the screenplay and how it makes you question so many aspects of the film. The actors in the movie (none in which I can name) are dumbed down to embarrassing extremes and forced to become nearly helpless victims to these carnivores. I will not tell about the decisions that the characters make, but I can say that they dodge the obvious and make poor choices in order for there to be some killing. The screenwriter should have figured out a way to have deaths, but not because the actors must force themselves into thoughtless dialogue and make childish decisions.
You will probably enjoy this movie. It will definitely make you cringe in your seat. But who likes to leave the theater thinking, "Why did he do that?" or "Why did that happen? This makes no sense."