Available Tuesday, July 17
Rating: Unrated
Starring:
Michael McMillian as PFC David ‘Napoleon’ Napoli
Jessica Stroup as PFC Amber Johnson
Daniella Alonso as PFC ‘Missy’ Martinez
Jacob Vargas as PFC ‘Crank’ Medina
Lee Thompson Young as PFC Delmar Reed
Ben Crowley as PFC ‘Stump’ Locke
Eric Edelstein as Cpl.’Splitter’ Cole
Flex Alexander as Sgt. Jeffrey “Sarge” Millstone
Reshad Strik as PFC Mickey Elrod
Michael Bailey Smith as Hades
David Reynolds as Hansel
Derek Mears as Chameleon
Tyrell Kemlo as Stabber
Jason Oettle as Letch
Gáspár Szabó as Grabber
Special Features:
Deleted Scenes
Alternate Ending
Gag Reel
Mutant Attacks
Birth of a Graphic Novel
Exploring the Hills: The Making of “The Hills Have Eyes 2”
Fox Movie Channel Presents: Life After Film School with Wes Craven
“The Hills Have Eyes” Trailer
Other Info:
Widescreen (2.35:1)
Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound
Running Time: 90 Minutes
Synopsis:
The following is from the official DVD description:
“National Guard soldiers stop at a New Mexican outpost only to find the isolated camp mysteriously deserted. Little do they know that these are the very hills that the ill-fated Carter family once visited, and that a tribe of cannibalistic mutants lies in wait.”
This version of “The Hills Have Eyes 2” is unrated. The theatrical version is rated R for prolonged sequences of strong gruesome horror violence and gore, a rape and language.
Mini-Review:
I never saw the first “Hills” film, but that was not necessary when seeing the sequel. It gives you all the info you need in the introduction. This sequel is a lot like “Aliens.” A group of soldiers arrive at a base camp to find everyone killed. Soon enough they meet the dangerous inhabitants and then are picked off one by one. This film just lacks the finesse and originality of “Aliens.”
Pretty much from the opening scene you realize what you’re getting into. You’re treated to a disturbing sight of a woman tied to a bed giving birth to a mutant child. If that doesn’t turn your stomach, nothing else in the film will. You also get to see a mutant rape a female soldier, break a man in half, and other assorted atrocities. But almost as bad as the gore is the annoying lineup of victimsâ¦erâ¦characters. You have one soldier that talks with a lisp, another that is a war objector, and another that can’t wait to get home to a toddler. They’re the most annoying group of incompetent stereotypes you’ve ever seen. I was rooting for the mutants.
“The Hills Have Eyes 2 doesn’t really have anything new or innovative to offer. You’re probably better off re-watching the original or another horror film altogether.
Despite the poor quality of the film, there is a decent number of bonus features here. Kicking things off are the Deleted Scenes. One scene features more jokes with the lisping “Spitter”. Another scene shows the soldiers debating leaving their comrades. But more interesting is the Alternate Ending. In it, the lone benevolent mutant turns on our survivors, thus leaving the film on a more ominous note. Next up is an amusing Gag Reel. It’s your standard offering of flubbed lines and clowning around. “Mutant Attacks” highlights the story of the mutants, their makeup, personalities, and more. “Birth of a Graphic Novel” goes in-depth into the creation of the prequel graphic novel. Fans of comics and Jimmy Palmiotti will want to check it out. “Exploring the Hills: The Making of The Hills Have Eyes 2” is your standard “making of” video. Rounding things out is “Fox Movie Channel Presents: Life After Film School with Wes Craven”. Three film students ask stupid questions of Wes Craven and he gives them appropriately sarcastic answers.
