Review of Straw Dogs (2011) by Jessenia S — 27 Dec 2011

(SPOILER ALERT!).

Anyways, these 2 Straw Dogs films represent one thing, and that is vigilantism. For me, it's rather a bleak experience than to be entertained with it. I really felt flat out with this 1971 and 2011 versions so much. But it's approach and goal is almost the same.

The violence is the payoff of any of these 2 SD. Any version you watch is rather shocking or even yet, grotesque. There isn't however a good character study here but only a study of how did these couple became JUST crazy? Some scenes were taken off in the remake, like for instance, the rape scene. In Peckinpah's version, it's more intense and brutal than in Lurie's version which is more funnier I guess? The strangling cat was deadly fake even in the remake, WOW! There isn't any nudity in the remake which is my major disappointment. The characters, setting, story, was little changed to maybe just take on a different trip. And yes, I watched these 2 films together, and for me, I still prefer the '71 film than the 2011 one. The ending of the remake is a big let down, and having then to realize it was just a complete waste of opportunity an time. It's a bad remake folks! But not a great Peckinpah film also!

I just don't get any of these movies at all. I don't know why in the world would you boil a wine instead of a tap water? I'm also confused why there's a bear trap in the house wherein there's no bear existed throughout the film. And most of all, I didn't care about David Summer's profession, it's just nothing to be recognized for! Whether you're a math teacher or a writer, who cares? And to Amy, you're nothing but a second grade, trying hard copycat!

Well then I guess I'm done here. I think it would have been better if Straw Dogs should have called Strange Dogs or Straw Berries? LOL! For that, I give the 1971 film a 4 stars, and the remake an unbelievable 2 stars, for it's crappiness and awfulness factor!