Review of Funny Games (2007)

Funny games (2007) is a shot for shot remake of Funny Games (1997). It is written and directed by Michael Haneke, the only differences being that the film is set in America with a difference cast speaking in English opposed to Austrian. The film is a psychological horror film about the mental and physical deterioration of a seemingly 'perfect American family.' The two serial killers, who change their names throughout the process, play a number of different twisted games with the family.

Haneke meticulously avoids all of the cliques of a horror with unpredictable scenes of violence and horror that occur in what appears to be the less tense of times. Micheal Pitt and Brady Corbet are impressive and are perfectly cast as the creepy, manipulative killers who are constantly change personas. Micheal Pitt was particularly menacing as the more confident killer who initiates the games. A similar character to Clockwork Orange's Alex, he is clever and well spoken but sadistic and ruthless.What I thought made Micheal Pitt's character perhaps ever more strange than Alex was how he is shown as being asexual and achieves pleasure through the torture of the family, which made the character seem even more inhumane. Naomi Watts gives the strongest performance out of the family and seems to excel in roles where she can portray a range of emotions. I admire her ability to refrain from just doing the big holiday blockbusters despite her beauty and fame and how she still remains a familiar face in the independent film scene.

Funny Games (2007) is considered by most critics to be inferior to the original. I personally prefer the remake, but perhaps that is because I saw it before the original. However I do agree there are parts of the remake that are inferior to the original. Tim Roth's performance as George is definitely one as the weakest member of the family. He was to overly submissive that it made me plainly dislike his character. I also thought he over performed a few of the films more frantic moments, which took tension away from the scene.

It is by no means an easy watch, but it is certainly an enthralling one. It is gruesome and upsetting but it's hard to look away, which is huge credit to Haneke for creating such an unpredictable film. I can understand opposition to it, but in my opinion it is one the best and most unique horrors of the 21st century.