DVD Review: ‘I SPIT ON YOUR GRAVE’ (2010)

In the past few years there has been an influx of remakes in the horror genre. We all know that’s not a good thing but unfortunately the mainstream fans line the aisles and spend the bucks that allows this to continue to happen.  It is well documented that I have not ever been nor will I ever be a fan of these remakes. I will say now that I am man enough to admit when I’m wrong. I guess the formula needs to be correct for a successful remake. Then comes walking in I Spit on Your Grave. Read more to see what I thought of this remake of the  1978 film of the same name.

The tale of I Spit on Your Grave is one that all fathers dread when they have a daughter, as it is worse than anything  that Liam Neeson’s daughter in Taken could ever imagine. A young woman at the top of her profession as a writer escapes to the woods to work for a couple months and is attacked and raped by some of the local degenerates. This is a nightmare that no woman would ever be able to recover from. Well, unless there is a little revenge that’s enlisted also.

The up to date version of this films keeps the same story line as the first.  Directed by Steve Monroe (House of 9), the film stars Sarah Butler (CSI/Flu Bird Horror) who portrays the role of Jennifer Hills who is looking for a retreat from the business of the city to finish her current novel. When she arrives in town she asks for directions to the cabin and is taunted by a group of vandals led by Johnny played by Jeff Branson (Wolves of Wall Street) and is embarrassed when she spills some fluid on him. Also in the gang is the semi-retarded Matthew played by Chad Lindberg(Supernatural/Sons of Anarchy) and some fellow cronies Stanley, Daniel Franzese (Bully/Cruel World) and Andy, Rodney Eastman(Nightmare on Elm Street 3&4/The Opposite of Sex) to round out the bunch.

Things seem quiet and peaceful for Jennifer as she enjoys the relaxing setting accompanied by liquor, marijuana and her laptop. She unfortunately drops her cell phone in the toilet. Unable to get it to work again, she gets upset but not worried as she knows she must focus on her book. What she does not know is that Stanley has been using his video camera to tape every move of the writer. He shows the guys the footage of Jennifer and they decide they need to have some fun with her since she is all alone in the woods. There is no concern for the acting of all the leads as they pretty much handled their parts well and really gave a nice interpretation of the characters from the original film. I especially thought the casting of Sarah Butler was well done as she proved to be a helpless naïve victim to the torture brought upon her by the men. After she is embarrassed and threatened by the men when they approach her cabin, she is able to get away and run to the aid of the local Sherriff Storch played by Andrew Howard (The Devil’s Chair/Revolver). The Sheriff seems to be a good guy but once he gets to the cabin things take a turn for the worse. He also has plans on making Jennifer’s visit horrendous and joins the boys as they physically beat down and rape her to unconsciousness. The deviants plan on killing her so she cannot tell anyone what happened. The sheriff takes it upon himself to shoot her but she jumps in the river before he gets the chance. This was truly the significant difference between this and the original film. In the first there is no sheriff present and the guys wanted Matthew (the semi-retarded one) to kill her but he couldn’t. In this reimagining they just assume she is dead after they cannot find her body in the river and there is no signs leading to survival. I didn’t have a problem with this as I thought it was a believable take and still allowed for the suspense that you knew was coming. What would she do to get her revenge?

Without completely spoiling the movie I will say that the revenge was very well done. One thing I didn’t like about the remake of Last House on the Left, was that they were so worried about the movie being gorier than the original that the deaths weren’t creative and ground breaking. I’ll just say the deaths in this remake were badass and they all gave hints to the original deaths but had a life of their own. I have to say I was actually surprised at how pleased I was with this film considering the first is one of my all time favorite movies. I had every reason to hate this film but well played characters and a very detailed script allowed this film to grow on me. The thing that was good about this film is it could have stood alone not as a remake and would have had critics saying it’s just like an updated version of I Spit on Your Grave. This beckons the question that I always consider and have a tough time answering unless it involves money: Why make these remakes? Why not just make films loosely based on movies that we all love? Like I said, money is usually the issue but for a film that received a limited release in theaters it doesn’t seem to be the case here. It’s actually a disservice this didn’t hit more theaters so fans could actually see a well done remake for once.

On the DVD, you will find an interesting commentary with director Monroe and producer Lisa Hansen. This is followed by a run of the mill featurette entitled The Revenge of Jennifer Hills: Remaking a Cult Icon. You then are treated to some deleted scenes that play out more like extended scenes from the film.  Rounding out the package is several trailers and TV spots for the film.

This movie hit shelves last Tuesday on February 8^th and I suggest you check it out.