Funny Games

FUNNY GAMES / *** out of ****

This is a shot for shot remake of a German film, which I have seen, also called Funny Games. Same director, same script, same camerawork. Same everything. You almost wonder: why was this needed? It was a good movie to begin with, and in fairness this is equally as good - but why make it? Then I realized, oh they probably thought they could hire some name actors, film it in english, and make a bigger profit than if they were to release the German version in the states. Suddenly that makes it an art house film, and not something they can count on for big box office bucks.

Well its not the kind of movie that is going to make that kind of money anyhow, because it is extremely harsh content. But they did get the A name actors. Headed by Naomi Watts who is always awesome, Tim Roth, Brady Corbet, and one of my favorite cuties Michael Pitt. The plot is pretty simple - almost too simple. Family goes to vacation house. 2 guys come to torture them for no reason. Will they survive? Won't they? Honestly, sometimes thats all you need.

This movie is very chilling, disturbing, violent, and clever. Entertaining it isn't. The realistic approach here really works. Some scenes linger on for 5-10 minutes with no words, and no movement, just someone tied up on the floor crying. Although it is startling, scary, and brutally honest - it does tend to lose some steam and as an audience you begin to lose interest. That being said, if you like horror movies, I would recommend it to you.