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DVD Review: The Hills Have Eyes (2006)
By HammerFanatic
Aug 17, 2006, 14:17

In 1977, Wes Craven released his now classic, The Hills Have Eyes (Review) and when it was announced that this little classic was to be remade, most horror fans groaned and voiced their displeasure that yet another classic was to be remade. A slight sigh of relief was heard when it was announced that the project was to be directed by Alexandre Aja (Interview) (Haute Tension) and this project was going for an 'R' rating. It was also said that Aja's original cut of the film had to endure more editing from Fox to avoid the NC-17 rating, but again, fans were pleased when it was reported that the DVD would include the complete version of the film. The film stars; Ted Levine ('Big' Bob), Kathleen Quinlan (Ethel), Dan Bryd (Bobby), Emilie De Raven (Brenda), Vanessa Shaw (Lynn), Michael Bailey Smith (Pluto), Tom Bower (Gas Station Attendant), Robert Joy (Lizard), Laura Ortiz (Ruby), Billy Drago (Papa Jupiter), Ivana Turchetto (Big Mama) and Aaron Stanford (Doug).

The Carter family, consisting of, 'Big' Bob (Levine), an ex-cop, his wife Ethel (Quinlan), son Bobby Jr. (Byrd), daughters Brenda (De Raven) and Lynn (Shaw) as well as Lynn's husband Doug (Stanford) and their infant daughter, Catherine, are motoring their way to California for a vacation, through the southwest desert. They stop at a gas station and the attendant (Bower) suggests a short cut, which they take and unfortunately for them, they have an accident and the frame of their truck is bent to hell, forcing them into their camper to decide their next course of action. 'Big' Bob decides that he and Doug should head out on the road in opposite directions, hoping they'll find someone to give them some assistance. Bob takes the road leading back to the gas station while Doug wanders off the other way. Quite some time later, Doug arrives back at the camper to tell the family that the only thing that lies in the direction he took is a huge crater, filled with twisted and wrecked vehicles and lots of camping gear. The family begins to panic when Bob doesn't return from his expedition and to make matters worse, the family dog, Beauty, takes off. Bobby (Bryd) had been left with the gun by his Dad and Bobby is well trained in how to use the weapon, but in searching for the pet, he realizes that what is living in the hills may take more than one gun to guarantee the safety of his family.

The Hills Have Eyes (Review #1, #2, #3), is presented in anamorphic widescreen (2.35:1) and looks quite nice. Being the film is taking place in a desert setting, colors tend to be 'earthy' as well as bright yellow and red. Grain is apparent, but only in a few select scenes and never distracting. Overall, I'd say this release is solid and quite nice in the video department. Audio options for this disc include; English (Dolby Digital 5.1) and French (Dolby Digital 2.0). Subtitles include; English, Spanish and French. Bonus features are quite nice and include:

-Audio Commentary With Screenplay Writer/Director Alexandre Aja, Screenplay Writer/Art Director Gregory Levasseur and Producer Marianna Maddalena

OK, I've said this a thousand times, I greatly dislike remakes of original classics. Now, being a huge Hammer Studios film fan, I'm often reminded that the Hammer films were indeed remakes of the Universal classics and to some degree, I must agree. I do, however, feel that Hammer films were taken in a slightly different direction and thus are really 'new' films. This pretty much sums up my feelings on the Alexandre Aja remake, The Hills Have Eyes. In reading the synopsis of the film and if you're planning on viewing it and have already viewed the Wes Craven film, you're bound to see several similarities. It's the same family and the same basic story, but then the Aja film takes on a life of its own. The blood definitely flows more freely and the gore element has been raised, which for some fans is all that may be needed to out-perform the Craven film, but Aja's vision takes the story to a slightly different level in that the story delves a little deeper into what makes someone tick....how much your average person can take before reaching his or her breaking point and fighting back with a vengeance. Not to say that Craven's film didn't hit upon these same ideas, but somehow, I feel with Aja's version of the film, the characters are a bit more developed. Again, this could simply be my own feelings on the film, but I do think in some instances....just some, mind you.....Aja's version of the film is slightly better. Damn, I almost feel as if I should be cutting my tongue out by saying I may actually prefer a remake to an original classic film, but as a whole, I completely enjoy both films. One drawback in Aja's film may be the mutations of the 'Hill' family, it may be too much to accept, but again, that's just a very minor quibble. In the end, this film was extremely easy to watch, it took no effort whatsoever on my part to sit through the film and I'd certainly not hesitate in recommending this film to any horror fan, even the most die-hard classic horror fan like myself. It should be noted that the version reviewed was the unrated version and there is a rated version out there for those interested in that disc, as well.

Buy The Hills Have Eyes on DVD at Amazon.com