Went into my viewing of this film knowing very little about it. I had of course reported on the release but really hadn't paid it much attention. Imagine my surprise when I was BLOWN AWAY by how original and terrifying it was.
As a film fan or more to the point, a horror film fan nothing is more exciting then when a writer or director stumbles upon a new and fresh idea and then actually follow through with it by making a new and fresh film. Such is the case with THE HILLS RUN RED written by David J. Schow and directed by Dave Parker this film is a non stop tour of brutality.
I love the twist on the genre with a story that features a notorious 80's slasher film titled THE HILLS RUN RED which a group of modern day horror fans are searching for. All that can be found to prove the film was even ever shot is a hastily put together trailer and some stills from the production.
One member of our young team of film fans becomes obsessed with the film and sets out to find the hidden location where the film was shot. Using one of the pictures he locates the daughter of the director of the film. Turns out she is working as a stripper in some club, he goes, meets her and finds out that she is strung out on drugs and half nuts. He sets out to clean her up and get her straight so that he can use her in a documentary to chronicle this never seen film and what had happened to it.
He gets the chick, Alexa played by the freakishly lovely Sophie Monk, all cleaned up and in a better state of mind, brings his friends in and sets off to document her story. She says she knows where the film was being made, at her fathers old house deep in the woods and they all set off to have a look thinking that they might even find the film itself hidden up at the old place. Alexa tells the group that her father has died and she hasn't been up to the house since.
They drive in as far as they can but the last few miles has to be made by foot as there are no roads leading directly to the house. As they get closer to the house Alexa begins have flashbacks to her days on the set, seeing the masked killer "BABYFACE" hiding in the woods and remembering images of violence from the set. Things quickly take a turn for the worse as the group realizes that Alexa isn't imaging BABYFACE, he's actually alive and well and ready to kill.
A twist is in order though and it's a big one. Gonna have to discover that for yourself because it is just way to much fun to spoil for you but needless to say it leads to a myriad of scenes of depraved violence and bloodshed that will have you gorehounds out there squealing with delight.
BABYFACE could well be the next JASON or FREDDY if fans pick up on him and there is no reason they shouldn't. THE HILLS RUN RED is an exercise in old school horror and does a great job of bringing the goods home.
Manned by a crew of basically unknown actors with the only notable exception being William Sadler ( you'll recognize him if you ever watched a Frank Darabont film as he has been in THE MIST, THE GREEN MILE and THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION, trust me you'll recognize him when you see him) the film is more than adequately acted and performances are top notch across the board. The chain has no weak link.
Special features wise you get an audio commentary with the director, writer and producer and a very nice making of segment titled "IT'S NOT REAL UNTIL YOU SHOOT IT" that I really enjoyed a lot.
Overall, THE HILLS RUN RED is a great horror film that I highly recommend that you run right out and get as soon as it hits on SEPT. 29th. It reminded me of watching HALLOWEEN or FRIDAY the 13th for the first time and that's a feeling that doesn't happen very often.
THE HILLS RUN RED indeed and I strongly urge you to give Dave Parker and his new masked fiend BABYFACE a try. You won't be sorry.
Here's the trailer to wet your appetite a bit:
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