The Hill Have Eyes Extended Cut (2006) Review
Written by: BlackTequilaKiss
Ah finally a horror movie remake that I respect and like quite a damn lot. I will admit a dark secret. I didn’t care for the original. I saw it and it ignited no passion for me so I looked forward eagerly to this remake, heck it doesn’t disappoint.
This is rip-roaring, bloody-disgusting and fun to boot.
Movie Storyline
A family are travelling in a trailer to California through the New Mexico Desert. Whilst at a isolated gas station, the owner misleads them into taking a shortcut that leads to nowhere. Travelling that way, spikes run across the road causing the car to become wrecked in the aftermath. Stuck in the middle of nowhere, they wonder at the next move they can make. It is only when they are attacked by deformed cannibals that they realise in order to survive they must fight. Will they survive the onslaught or die in their attempt to escape?
Want my review? Simple, I love this!
Yes it takes a while to establish what is going on but once the terror starts you are strapped in and raring to go. It grabs you by the balls and sucks you in. And once the insanity starts it just gets more and more warped. Admittedly I love movies that make you think, movies that make you question but now and again I just love movies that are bloody and frantic. Ergo The Hills Have Eyes.
The Cast:
Aaron Stanford:
Aaron Stanford plays Doug Bukowski. Damn he is awesome in this! I have never watched him in anything else but he was great in this. I will be honest and say at the beginning of the movie he seemed rather homely. Afraid almost of his own shadow, not standing up for what he believed in. Had he stayed like that I would never have warmed to him but credit where credit is due he changes his stance. When his little baby daughter is kidnapped suddenly he is a man possessed. It was wonderful to see him fighting and giving his all, suddenly the character established himself and I fell head over heels for him. Wonderful, awesome performance!
Ted Levine:
Ted Levine plays Big Bob Carter. I could have gone for a more prolific character who spends a longer time within the movie but hell no it would be a crime against nature not to mention this guy! He was intense as Buffalo Bill in The Silence of the Lambs and he’s just as intense; funny in this. His sarcastic sense of humour and brash; loud outlook on things is always a joy to watch and he lit up the screen for the short while he was on. Excellent acting from a wonderful actor.
I won’t bang on about every actor in the movie but I will go so far as to say they add a element much needed in the movie. The girls added the feminine touch and the boys added a the humorous touch. They all had great chemistry and the movie gained a extra point just because of the acting abilities of them all.
Added Elements (Cinematography etc):
Cinematography- The New Mexico Desert provides a beautiful backdrop to the movie and to scenes where it is quiet, gentle. Stunning scenery really makes the movie stand up strong in the accolades of good remakes. Beautiful visual night shots work well too and against the light of torches and other artificial sources it adds a beautiful resonance. Director, Alexandre Aja used the direction to great effect and the camera shots are fluid, even and not out of focus or unsteady so you can watch with a lovingly quiet ease. Gorgeous comes to mind.
Music- Tense, Dramatic and Eerie it suit’s the scenes crisply. It sends shivers up backs, raises goose bumps upon the arms and legs. It works in short.
Special / CGI effects- Well done. That’s all lol. It looks convincing and doesn’t impede the movie. So all in all it is a job done to good standards.
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As far as remakes go and most are, let’s be honest, abysmal, this is actually one of the ones that does an admirable job. It doesn’t try to be over-the-top or change the plot to a point you don’t know what is happening, it sticks close to the original and is as much fun as ever! There’s blood, guts, truly heart wrenching scenes, characters for whom we love, mutant humans we despise it does everything a movie requires to work.
Fair play to Craven for remaking a movie that actually holds up. Fair play to making a movie I actually prefer to the original!
I do love this movie and say to anyone unsure wherever or not to see it, bite your tongue and see it. It’s worth the ride.
Excellent remake that I honestly cannot recommend highly enough!
Simply, AWESOME!!!