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Overall Rating : 7/10
Directed By : Alexandre Aja
Emilie de Ravin (LOST (TV) )
Michael Bailey Smith (Monster Man)
Vinessa Shaw (Corky Romano)
Kathleen Quinlan (Warning Sign)
Dan Byrd (Mortuary)
Supplied By : Fox Home Video
Film Reviewed By : Rick Blalock
Date Reviewed : Jul. 17, 2006
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| PLOT The Hills Have Eyes is the story of a family road trip that goes terrifyingly awry when the travelers become stranded in a government atomic zone. Miles from nowhere, the Carter family soon realizes the seemingly uninhabited wasteland is actually the breeding ground of a blood-thirsty mutant family...and they are the prey. |
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| THE REVIEW In THE HILLS HAVE EYES, the Carter family have plans of a sunny vacation in San Diego California. Bob, the father insists that they see the desert and sight-see a little on the way, despite the rest of the extended family disagreeing. On their way, they meet a creepy gas station attendant, whom predictably recommends that they head on a highway that is seemingly non-existent. The family is more than happy to take the short cut until, without warning, they run into some sort of road spike which causes Bob to crash and thus total the truck. With no option left, Doug(husband of daughter Lynn) and Bob set out on separate paths to find help (thus leaving behind; mother Ethel and children, Brenda, Bobby, Lynn....and Lynn's baby Catherine). What the Carters don't know is that they have just been stranded in the middle of a desolate area that was once used as a nuclear testing area. The tests left all residents who were unwilling to vacate their homes deformed and freakish..... a collected group of the deformats seeks to get their revenge on all who cross their tormented paths. Alexandre Aja, makes his American film debut with this remake of Wes Craven's 1977 Horror classic, THE HILLS HAVE EYES. I'll admit it and be honest, while everyone else was seemingly impressed with Aja's last film HIGH TENSION.... I was not. I actually saw it as nothing more than a gore fest with no real purpose or story, here we have the same gore fest(especially thanks to the Unrated version), but we also have a compelling story as well. I'll tell you, that at first I wasn't too thrilled about the remake, like any remake for that matter, but I loved this one! The story starts out rather slow and boring but it's not long until you are glued to your seat awaiting the suspense, as that is what it is very suspenseful. The suspense is what kept me interested, the actors do a tremendous job of pulling it off and making it seem very real, the viewer feels as if they are somehow in the midst of the danger on screen. The sub plot is just like any other slasher....car wrecks....they get stranded and end up in trouble and stalked by someone or some-thing. But with the great acting talent on display, the top notch effects, and a director that's not afraid to throw all morals out of the proverbial window, presented here is an in your face horror story. I have heard countless people tell me that this could be the most shocking horror film they have seen in years, but honestly, even shocked.... I still was not shocked to the point in which I expected - I expected to be repulsed to say the least. But those shocking moments along with the effects, effects that are almost unmatched... are the reason that this film is so intriguing and is what will make it a film worth many viewings. The acting is rather engaging, as Aja does what is necessary to catch the characters in just the right emotional state that will connect with viewers - If you relate to the characters, then you'll just be that much more effected by their death....or even their survival, and to me this was accomplished quite well. a great cast, Emilie de Ravin plays the somewhat rebellious Brenda, whom at first was very care-free and upset about being de-railed....but in a desperate situation, changes face into a young woman determined to live. Emilie, is just a fantastic actress, who is very beautiful...but more importantly, knows what she is doing. She stars on the hit TV drama LOST and has hit the Horror realm before in the killer Santa flick SANTA'S SLAY, but not quite like this. Dan Byrd has also been in FIRESTARTER 2, in a small but sort of pivotal role in which I wasn't too impressed with - but in his role here of Bobby Carter, I cannot say the same, as I was very impressed. To sum it up I was very pleased with everyone's performance, I feel they did all that was possible to reel in the audience looking on - I know I was. I really liked Alexandre Aja's directorial style here, he chooses to, at times move the camera very frantically, such as in various chase scenes - this making them even more frightening. After HIGH TENSION as admitted I had many doubts, but after seeing what Aja has done with this film....the doubts may be very well erased.... I can't wait for the 2007 release of THE HILLS HAVE EYES 2...which should be just as good if not better! |
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| GORE
METER 7/10 I have seen many of the films in which KNB Efx have done special effects and this has to be one of their finest efforts to date - very gruesome. |
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| MUSICAL
SCORE 6.510 The score is often as haunting as what appears in the film, the soundtrack also includes the great song "California Dreamin' " by the Mamas and the Papas.... |
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| OVERALL
IMPRESSION OF THE FILM This film certainly surpassed my expectations. It's definitely a film that you will probably watch again and again - I highly recommend! |
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