by Alex Wellman www.thelasthouseontheleft.com Often the thought of a remake can have people quaking with anger as studio executives mess with something loved by the ages. In the case of this latest remake, the only thing quaking

by Alex Wellman

www.thelasthouseontheleft.com

Often the thought of a remake can have people quaking with anger as studio executives mess with something loved by the ages.

In the case of this latest remake, the only thing quaking should be the floorboards as hordes of cinema-goers flee the theatre in disgust.

Now, I'm no prude, I enjoy horror films as much as the next person but what I am against is unnecessary displays of sadism which is in Last House on the Left in spades.

Horror-meister extraordinaire Wes Craven has a producers nod on this remake of his infamous 1972 film of the same name.

Essentially a tale of revenge, the story revolves around a perfect family as they spent some time in their holiday home out in the sticks.

Mum and dad (Sara Paxton and Tony Goldwyn) let their daughter Emma (Monica Potter) borrow their car and head into town to see a friend.

Once there Emma and her vivacious friend Paige (Martha MacIsaac) soon get chatting to a young man, Justin (Spencer Treat Clark) and head back to his hotel room to smoke drugs and hang out.

Things take a turn for the worse when a twisted trio comprising Justin's father, uncle and partner turn up and take the girls hostage fearing their identity as prison breakers could get out.

Driven along winding roads the girls momentarily escape but are soon found, raped and left for dead.

With no car and nowhere to go the violent trio and Justin stumble across a house, which turns out to be the home of Emma's mum and dad.

Asking to be put up for the night, the parents agree but when their little girl arrives home bloodied and near dead the couple put two and two together and a battle to the death ensues.

Acting is spot on, with Garret Dillahunt as the sadistic father a particularly good but what grates about this film is the nastiness.

There is a brutal scene where a 16-year-old girl is raped, shot and another stabbed so this is not one to take your mother to.

Some of the violent scenes are fun, but the ones where young girls are treated so appallingly lose the audience and make you feel slightly dirty watching it.

Fans of the slasher/blood genre will like it but those who want a decent scare should avoid.

Rating: 2/5 stars

alex.wellman@archant.co.uk