Watered down Americanised revenge thriller (The Last House On The Left (DVD))

Member Name: bruffyboy

Product:	The Last House On The Left (DVD)
Date:	20/06/09 (54 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: interesting story

Disadvantages: not brutal enough

This film is a revenge thriller, in the same vein as the much appreciated 'Sympathy for Lady Vengeance', 'Oldboy' and the like. However, it's not a foreign film, but rather an 'America does revenge thriller' movie.

I won't be giving too much of the plot away with my description, but it may seem it. This is what the blurb tells you anyway. A young girl is visciously raped and murdered, only for the murderers to unknowingly seek refuge in the girl's parents house. When the parents realise what has happened, revenge is the only dish on the menu.

Now, you might think that that's giving too much away, but this story is more about how it all happens than what happens, and there are lots of twists involved along the way.

I love revenge thrillers, and have to say that I was a little disappointed with this one. I wanted the revenge part to be drawn out and excessive, and it wasn't quite enough for me. Don't get me wrong though, there was a lot of blood and gore, and casual horror fans will surely appreciate that, but for me it wasn't enough. It feels as if the watered down American film industry is rejoicing in the brutality of this movie, and it really ends up leaving you deflated as you wish for so much more.

Anyway, onto the acting. The cast is almost completely unknown, but they do a good job. There's a slightly corny aspect to it, but that only serves to exaggerate the nastier bits when they come, so I think that was deliberate.

There are some uncomfortable sexual assualt moments, which ARE brutal, and go on for quite some time. Again, these are to make us angry enough to feel the revenge is warranted, but I have to admit I found this part pretty awkward to watch.

If you want a really good revenge thriller, try 'Old Boy', and you'll see how this one is child's-play compared to some of the greats.

Summary: up to you