Last House on the Left (2009)

Okay, so while my wife and kids went on a "Race to Witch Mountain", I ventured to "The Last House on the Left". Quite a trip!

I won't go into minute details on the plot and all that, as you can read great reviews at The Mad Ravings of an Entertainment Junkie; or at Doomed Movieblog; heck, even EW.com gets in on it. And there are plenty more at HorrorMovies.ca.

What I do notice is that most people like the movie itself, even if some are not as thrilled with it's "message". That said, I liked it and don't have a problem with it. Mary's parents are not merely seeking vengeance at first. They just wanted to get away with Mary in the boat. But once they come to the realization that it's either them or the bad guys, they don't hold back.

Can't say I would, either. They are obviously dealing with some deep pain over the loss of their other child, and what happened to Mary sent them over the edge. But I don't think they even needed the other child's death to "rationalize" their actions. You will do ANYTHING for your kids, and while it may not be "PC" to say so, I can't say I wouldn't do the same for mine. Wrong I guess, but true.

I am glad they didn't overplay the gore, ala the torture porn movies of late. What we did see was realistic, but not gross-out so. A good choice, as the scenes we were witnessing were wince-inducing all on their own without it.

The final scene was not so tame, however, and I know many people don't care for it, even hating it. I wasn't as shocked by it, as it had been alluded to in the trailers for the movie and I was waiting for it to happen. Was it needed? No, I don't think so. It was over the top, even for the parents. Like one reviewer said, "How did they explain THAT to the cops?" But hey, maybe Mr. Collingwood snapped a little. Can't say I blame him. And maybe the producers or whomever thought the movie need a "what-the-fuck?" scene, like the original had (you know the one). It didn't, in my opinion, but it doesn't ruin anything for me.

In comparison to the original (which I haven't seen in about ten years), I think this was a definite improvement. At first, I was concerned it couldn't replace the gritty, realistic, awfulness of the 70s film. But, once you are confronted with the horrible actions done to Mary and her friend, you see that it is just as bad. So hard and uncomfortable to watch, you still squirm in your seat. And that is what this movie is. Horrible? yes. Realistic? I think so. For everyone? Hell, no!

I would watch it again. Now, I am not sure what THAT says about me!