Review of The Hills Have Eyes 2 (2007) by Hondoj. — 26 Mar 2007

Freshman director Martin Weisz ambitiously tackles the world's newfound nuclear fears with the terrific "The Hill Have Eyes II," a sparkling update of the Wes Craven classic. The American Southwest subs for the Middle East and mutant cannibals as terrorists in this thinly veiled metaphor of atomic terror and diplomatic ambiguity.

What are we to make of the stunning imagery of National Guard troops, standing in for the American military-industrial complex, delivering nuclear materials to the region, then left shortly thereafter to deal with the horror unleashed by the power of the atom? Indeed, Weisz's interpretation of Muslim warriors as depraved mutant cannibals may be too saucy for the politically correct crowd, but others may find it a provocative statement on the war between cultures.

This political thriller could use a little more confidence in itself and not rely on corny gore or wan sexual assaults, since the Cravens have created a masterpiece along the lines of "Z," "The Parallax View," and "JFK.

" I believed that the hills do have eyes, and that Oscar will have his golden eyes on this cinematic gem next February.