Screening Log: August 8

The Hills Have Eyes II
Directed by Martin Weisz
Written by Wes Craven and Jonathan Craven
Starring: Michael McMillian, Jessica Stroup, Jacob Vargas, Flex Alexander, Daniella Alonso, Eric Edelstein, Lee Thompson Young, Ben Crowley

Two and a half stars (out of four)

Summary: After the events of the first film, the army has sent a team of scientists to the New Mexico desert to study the mutants, but by the time a group of National Guard trainees arrive to deliver supplies, the scientists are missing. When the trainees go off into the hills to search for signs of life, the mutants arrive and start picking them off one at a time.

Short take: The first film (a remake of a Wes Craven movie from the 70s) was unusual in that it didn't completely suck. This sequel isn't quite so lucky. There isn't anything inovative or creative here, but even within its generic tendencies, there's still something here that works. The attacks are quick, startling and pretty brutal, which makes the film work as a genre picture, but there's nothing more substantial here.