THE HILLS HAVE EYES 2 (Unrated)

This movie is a sequel to The Hills Have Eyes (2006), a remake of the 1977 film by horror legend Wes Craven; however, it’s not a remake of his sequel from 1985, which was titled Part 2. That may sound confusing, but there’s no reason for concern as there isn’t much in the way of plot throughout the franchise.

The gruesomeness starts during the opening credits as a young woman, naked, filthy, and chained to a bed, gives birth to some thing and is immediately killed with a blow to the head. Then title cards explain what had happened in the previous film and how the military were setting up surveillance equipment in the area. Mutants start killing the scientists, although there is one mutant who appears different. He looks slightly child-like and warns a scientist to run a moment too late. National Guard troops have been unsuccessfully running training exercises in the field. On their return, they discover the missing personnel and begin a rescue mission with predictable results.

Horror fans should enjoy the frightful/humorous moments as the make-up and special effects departments show what they can do. Standouts are one soldier getting dragged through a hole in a cliff wall, causing his leg to be bent the wrong way, and another solider having his arm cut off while climbing only to have a mutant wave with it as he plummets to his death.

Yet, once the soldiers started getting killed, I found myself uncomfortable. To see members of the National Guard murdered and raped for entertainment purposes when many fellow Americans are fighting overseas was more disgusting than anything that happened in the film. Not that I am against telling stories that include soldiers, but their pointless exploitation illustrate a deficit in the tact, if not also the talent, of Craven, his son Jonathan, who co-wrote the movie, and music video director Martin Weisz. Could they not have come up with any other idea for victims? The Hills Have Eyes 2 should not be seen in order to encourage filmmakers to put some thought into what they are creating.

The DVD includes many extras including deleted scenes, which could have included the entire movie, considering how bad the acting and dialogue was, and gag reels, an apt description of my reaction while watching.