Review of Funny Games (1997) by Adrian W — 23 Mar 2008

Hmm so this movie is a bit fucked up. I think it was way too morbid and dark. And yes, I usually love my horror films to be like that, but this movie had no thrill or excitement factor to go along with it.

It was just tragedy the whole time. I also didn't like the fact that one of the antagonists kept acknowledging the audience, looking into the camera and asking questions. And also the stupid rewind scene?! UGH "Oh yes, let's give the audience of glimmer of hope for these characters.

.. OH WAIT! Just kidding!" That was a slap in the face to the viewers and yes I know Michael Haneke was trying to go for something by putting those aspects into the movie, but I did not particularly enjoy them at all.

I guess he was trying to play a "funny game" with the audience? Also, I found the 2 villains to be quite the unbelievable couple of killers. Two preppy douche bags in their 20s are sadistic psychopaths? I didn't really get their characters.

And I'm not sure if it was good acting on their part, but I don't think it takes a good actor to play a sarcastic d-bag cos that's pretty much me on a daily basis HAHAHAHA... I'm joking.

(Or am I?) Anyway, I wanted to know more about these two. What are their motives? Is it really all just for fun? Well they certainly play their "funny games" without looking like they enjoy it.

Do they have families of their own or did they kill them? How can they get away with going door to door and doing this on a daily basis to all these wealthy families? I guess Haneke succeeded with his intentions in making this film because I did find it to be on the disturbing side.

The only thing is I love disturbing horror movies... I just didn't love this one. Also the pacing was a bit odd. Once we get to the middle of the movie, things become strangely slow and it all seems like a waste as the movie did not really pick up anymore during the events leading to the end.

I half agree with a reviewer on here who said "if your character motivations aren't believable and your pacing is groan-inducing, your movie sucks." A big reason the movie didn't work too well with me were the "villains" who were not very believable in the slightest.

I can look over the stupid acknowledging of the audience, but the characters were just not solid. Overall it was a good and well crafted movie, but I don't feel like it's the kind of movie I would have any reason to see over and over again.

I wouldn't really recommend it to anyone and I definitely no longer need to see the remake anytime soon.