10 Horror Movie Flops That Everyone Saw Coming
3. The Hills Have Eyes Part II
Wes Craven’s original Hills Have Eyes effort is a fascinating look at his innovative early years in the low budget world of ‘70s horror cinema. Its sequel, however, is quite the opposite, providing viewers with a dreary look at what happens when a talented director is in dire need of a quick cash grab.
Set eight years after the classic original, the film utilises a lazy flashback structure, often replaying moments from the first film. At one point, even the family dog gets a flashback moment, making a significant portion of this film serve merely as a recap of its predecessor.
The new plot revolves around a motorbike team, who are preparing for a race in the desert. When the bus they’re taking to the race track breaks down in the desert, they find themselves at the mercy of the dreaded, villainous cannibals. This time, however, the bad guys are lead by the gigantic Reaper, who is revealed to be the brother of the first film’s Papa Jupiter lead antagonist.
Wes Craven himself disowned the film, and it was quietly kept away from public release for two years before finally popping up on TV and video. Between the lazy storytelling, poor effects, and painful lack of innovation, this is one of the lowest creative points of Craven’s celebrated career.