Review of The Hills Have Eyes (1977) by Daniel M — 03 Mar 2014

Over-bloated and just tries too hard. Craven attempts to mimmic superior works by Romero and Hooper in concept and commentary, but is just too nice about the way he goes about it. Yes, there are deaths in here that are truly cerebrally uncomfortable, but canaries and crucifixions aside, what fails this film as with all of Craven's efforts is the absence of urgency or dread or most importantly anything to say, essential ingredients of hills' competitors back in the day.

This cartoonish wannabe lacks the political edge which made chainsaw massacre and Martin so arresting, how very real the horror was. Here, it is too much fantasy, not compelling enough, just naff.