Review of "The Hills Have Eyes" (1977)

"The lucky ones died first..."

"The Hills Have Eyes" is the film that solidified Wes Craven as a horror director. His sophomore effort proves he can make a scary movie when he wants to. The story follows a clan of cannibals living, if you can call it that, out in a desert wasteland. A family vacationing in the area takes a wrong turn and wind up stranded in this desolate, isolated place. That's when all hell breaks loose and a battle for survival begins.

I was enjoying it completely as a gritty, slightly campy, horror flick. That changed about half-way through. Once Dee Wallace Stone's character died, it became totally unpredictable and felt "real." Based on who she is, I had convinced myself that she was the star and she wouldn't die. Boy, was I wrong. At that moment, I was drawn into the movie on a whole new level. I had no idea who was going to survive, nay, if anyone was going to survive. It really was unpredictable and I applaud Wes Craven for making it so. I also applaud Michael Berryman as being one of the most unforgettable characters that Craven has created. Berryman's Pluto has the ability to both scare and fascinate me.

Now, a large part of the horror community thinks Craven "sold out" or that he killed horror in the nineties. I find myself guilty of doing this as well sometimes. Then I go back and watch his early films and forget all about that. There is a raw energy in Craven's classics that I have to believe the man still has. If you tire of hearing about the "Scream" trilogy (be it good or bad), then pop in "The Hills Have Eyes", sit back, and enjoy the ride. Commercial horror and pretty faces this is not.