Supposedly Wes Craven needed money. So, he figured why not milk my biggest bread winner in THE HILLS HAVE EYES. Which is really too bad, because Craven is a much better director and writer than what we are given here in this sorry sequel.
Bobby (Robert Houston) who survived the attacks in the original is dealing with that aftermath and seeing a shrink. Going with a team to race in that very desert where those horrors took place seven years prior. But, right when they are ready to leave Bobby backs out. And, crazily that is it for his character. He never shows back up again. Why was Bobby even in this movie? After leaving behind I think a much needed character in steps Janus Blythe as Ruby...er...Rachel now that she is with normal society. The team also picks up Beast the dog from the original and off they go to the desert. The bus then runs out of gas due to a ripped fuel line and they are stranded. Pluto (Michael Berryman) is back, which you would think is an asset, but his character really just gives way to the new villain The Reaper (John Bloom).
If you ever wanted to see a sequel without seeing the original this might be it. There are just way too many flashbacks to the better original that you realize this is Craven just padding out this movie. Like the original this one has bad lighting as well where you can not exactly tell what is going on. Finally the music by Harry Manfredini (which in fact is a plus to the film) helps in this regard, but seems like Craven made this for undemanding FRIDAY THE 13TH fans.
I'm sure Craven was not pleased with this film at all and to me I could see a directing improvement as each film was made by him. Then he made this stinker and incredibly it was followed up by perhaps his greatest film A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET made that same year. I would suggest just to watch the original.
Bobby (Robert Houston) who survived the attacks in the original is dealing with that aftermath and seeing a shrink. Going with a team to race in that very desert where those horrors took place seven years prior. But, right when they are ready to leave Bobby backs out. And, crazily that is it for his character. He never shows back up again. Why was Bobby even in this movie? After leaving behind I think a much needed character in steps Janus Blythe as Ruby...er...Rachel now that she is with normal society. The team also picks up Beast the dog from the original and off they go to the desert. The bus then runs out of gas due to a ripped fuel line and they are stranded. Pluto (Michael Berryman) is back, which you would think is an asset, but his character really just gives way to the new villain The Reaper (John Bloom).
If you ever wanted to see a sequel without seeing the original this might be it. There are just way too many flashbacks to the better original that you realize this is Craven just padding out this movie. Like the original this one has bad lighting as well where you can not exactly tell what is going on. Finally the music by Harry Manfredini (which in fact is a plus to the film) helps in this regard, but seems like Craven made this for undemanding FRIDAY THE 13TH fans.
I'm sure Craven was not pleased with this film at all and to me I could see a directing improvement as each film was made by him. Then he made this stinker and incredibly it was followed up by perhaps his greatest film A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET made that same year. I would suggest just to watch the original.