Funny Games US (2007)

slasherella — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 00:37:58 +0000

So, here we have Funny Games US, the American adaptation of the 1997 German film of the same name. These days, there’s really nothing unusual about remaking a newer foreign horror film. It happens all the time. What is unusual is that both films were brought to us by the same man, Michael Haneke.

So… why did he make what is essentially the same film twice? Well, he said he believed violence as entertainment (the main premise of Funny Games) is an ‘American Phenomenon’. Is that true? I’m not sure. But hey, I don’t have to be. Funny Games (both versions) doesn’t really try to make that point. The point it tries to make (and succeeds at making) is that people are so comfortable in their existences that they don’t really see what happens around them. They feel safe and secure in a world that really doesn’t allow that, and this movie pounds that point home.

The performances in this movie are amazing. Tim Roth and Michael Pitt are especially good but Naomi Watts… oh Naomi Watts. She’s so fabulous. She’s excellent in this movie, but she’s excellent in everything she does.

There isn’t really a lot of gore in this movie, but this is yet another example of a movie that uses implied gore to make a stronger impact. Funny Games is terrifying, real and unbelievably disturbing. See it.

Quick Review: Some may say Funny Games US is a pointless remake, and hey, those people might be right, but nevertheless, I’m thrilled Michael Haneke decided to make it. Naomi Watts, Michael Pitt and Tim Roth make it worth watching over the original.

Love the movie? Buy the DVD:

Funny Games (2008)

Best Slasher Movies » Tim Roth

Funny Games US (2007)