Review of Straw Dogs (2011) by Marlon A — 25 Jan 2012

2: One would have to be either a complete sadist or masochist to truly enjoy this film in its entirety, but it did make me consider the times when I "fantasize" about using my ice axe, dog, or knife on an intruder, as well as the times when I am in the wilderness and "fantasize" about being attacked by a bear or mountain lion.

I really don't quite understand why the director/writer choose to remake it though, especially in this vastly inferior fashion. The original film included a great deal more dialogue and philosophical discussion and impact, while this updated version, purportedly made when humanity is in a more advanced and less sexist/violent state, is simply found to be lacking.

There is still perhaps a trifle that makes on think, but very little. For one thing, one of the strengths of the original version was that Dustin Hoffman, the prototypical non-leading man leading man - if that makes sense - was forced to be the aggressor and defender in the end.

The same cannot be said of James Marsden. He is a leading man with chiseled cheekbones and all if I ever saw one, with or without his X-Men shades. This makes the role much less effective. It's still an entertaining film, but I don't think it was necessary.

Peckinpah did it much better.