I saw THE HILLS HAVE EYES PART 2 years ago when it was
released on video tape. Yes it’s that old, made in 1984 and just 7 years after
the original film, director/writer returned to his biggest hit after his film
SWAMP THING failed to do the box office figures expected of the film. That it
was made on far too low a budget, the studio was sold the day it was released
and it had next to nothing in promotion dollars the blame was sent his way.
Down and out, looking for something to re-establish himself and continue making
films he opted to make this one.
Years have passed since the last film and survivor Bobby (a
returning Robert Houston) is still dealing with the post-traumatic stress he
was left with from those events. Bobby is now working with a group of young
people who have helped him formulate a new racing fuel for dirt bikes that will
set them up for life. The only problem is the test race they’re scheduled to
demonstrate the fuel in is near the desert where the first film took place.
Unable to bring himself to accompany the group he sends them
on their own. Going along to supervise them is his girlfriend Rachel aka Ruby
(Janus Blythe), the sister of the cannibalistic family that helped him and his
sister escape. The kids head out in a bus along with their bikes and fuel
joking along the way about the events of the first film, treating is as an
urban legend rather than the reality that it was. A mechanical problem and then
realizing they started late due to the daylight savings time change, they
decide to take a shortcut across the desert. Big mistake.
Of course this results in the discovery that the family
didn’t quite all die at the end of the last film. Pluto (Michael Berryman)
apparently survived the attack of family German shepherd Beast and now holds a
grudge against them and the dog. Helping him in the desert is the brother of
the now deceased bad guy Pluto from the first film, The Reaper (John Bloom).
The kids come across a deserted mining area with abandoned
tunnels and ramshackle buildings. They can see that someone has been there
recently and Rachel tells them to be careful, which they of course ignore. It
isn’t long before they’re being attacked and lured away one by one by the
protagonists and the body count begins.
While there are some wonderful stunt shots of the moto-cross
bikes on display here as well as the always welcome appearance of Michael
Berryman the movie is truly a wreck. The suspense is weak if at all existent,
the acting by a group of novices unconvincing and the plot lines have more
holes in them than Swiss cheese. Blythe comes off okay but she’s wasted here.
What should be a movie filled with horrific moments has few if any and feels
like something that Craven just wasn’t really into.
The thing is that this is the truth behind the scenes and it
is those extras on this release from Arrow that make this worth watching. At
least for those extras. Chief among those is “Blood, Sand, and Fire: The Making
of The Hills Have Eyes Part II” a brand new making-of documentary featuring interviews
with actor Michael Berryman, actress Janus Blythe, production designer Dominick
Bruno, composer Harry Manfredini and more. It is during this documentary that
we learn why Craven made the film and what problems they had in getting it
completed.
With SWAMP THING failing to do the box office business
expected Craven’s career as a director was at a tipping point. Studios weren’t
likely to allow him the benefit of the doubt and trust him to bring out another
hit with his track record. To show his willingness to do something to make
money he and producer Peter Locke (with whom he had done the first film)
reteamed and offered to make this movie. In spite of his willingness to do so
the money behind the film wasn’t near what was needed to make it nearly as good
as the first film. The low budget and lackluster release of the film didn’t
solidify Craven’s reputation but it did allow him to continue working. His next
film solved his problems. That was A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET.
Arrow has done a great job with the release of the film in
spite of how bad it is. It looks better now than ever before with a new 2K
restoration from original film elements. Other extras include a still gallery,
the original theatrical trailer, 6 postcards, a reversible sleeve featuring
original and newly commissioned artwork by Paul Shipper and a limited Edition
40-page booklet featuring new writing on the film by Amanda Reyes and an
archival set visit from Fangoria. Arrow is making this a limited edition
release with just 3000 copies being made so if you’re a fan of the film or
looking to have a complete collection of the works of director Craven make a
point of picking up a copy today.
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