The Last House on the Left (2009) - 2 stars out of 10

The Last House on the Left (2009) - 2 stars out of 10

"The Last House on the Left" is brutal.  From the start, it is easy to see that this film focuses on realism and shock value instead of chills and jump scenes.  Nobody can be prepared for the teenage rape, nor can they be prepared for the disturbing images from the final half hour of the film (mainly the garbage disposal).  Any quality of acting or script is completely lost because all that's left when the movie ends are lingering thoughts of the violent imagery.  All of the content is questionable, from killing cops to rape to getting high to homicide to revenge killing.  I am interested to see Wes Craven's original version because it's hard to believe that he could have created anything this extreme in 1972.  The story contains an interesting message about how the most normal family can be transformed into an animalistic state when tragedy and anger invade their lives; unfortunately, it is not worth watching this sadistic display of cruelty to get this message.  If you insist on watching this, under no circumstances should you watch the director's cut.  I don't know what would've been omitted had I watched the theatrical version, but I regret my decision profusely.  This isn't that movie that is so scary that it is cool - it is a tribute to the disturbed people in our society that make this world a corrupt place.