Movie Review - "Straw Dogs" (2011) **1/2

     Rod Lurie's Straw Dogs is a remake of a 1971 Sam Peckinpah film that has a bit of a cult following due to it being considered very violent for the time. Even though the violence was too harsh for many, the film is widely considered to be one of Peckinpah's finest movies along with The Wild Bunch, another film known for it's violence. I have not seen the original, which stars Dustin Hoffman and Susan George, but I have heard a lot about it over the years and that is what interested me in checking out this remake. After seeing this remake, I don't feel inclined at all to go back and watch the original. Maybe if I catch it on one day I'll give it a look, but I don't think I will actively seek it. The story just simply isn't that compelling me to in the end.

     James Marsden and Kate Bosworth play David and Amy Sumner, a happily married screenwriter and actress from L.A. who have returned to Amy's childhood home in the deep south in order to fix up the home of her father, who has passed away, to sell. The couple drives a fancy car and have a bit of a Hollywood snootiness to them that immediately has the locals (rednecks) watching them closely. When they stop by a local diner for a meal, Amy runs into her ex-boyfriend Charlie (Alexander Skarsgard) who tries to make a pass on her but she declines. Complicating matters, Charlie and a group of his friends are the ones repairing the family home to sell. Tension between the couple and Charlie's group slowly start to build when they upset David by leaving the job early, inviting themselves into the house for beer and food, and playing music loudly while David is trying to work. When Amy is attacked by two of them men, all hell breaks loose leading to a violent confrontation that will have the couple fighting not only for their house but for their lives.

     Straw Dogs isn't a terrible movie by any means, I just wouldn't make it a viewing priority. This is a fine movie to catch on cable on a Friday or Saturday night when nothing else is on, just don't expect it to leave any last impressions. It's a movie that will be easily forgotten in a few months. The finale is pretty violent but it's nothing you haven't seen before, although there is a scene with a bear trap that will make you cringe for a bit. The acting is passable, if nothing else, with one exception. James Woods has a supporting role as one of the locals and he gives a chilling performance. Woods has played some bad characters in the past, but this one may take the cake. Marsden, Bosworth and Skarsgard are okay, but I felt each role could have been cast a little better. I can see how someone more like Dustin Hoffman would be more believeable in the main role, so maybe I should give that original a shot. There's nothing much more to say about this. Nothing earth-shattering but you may find a decent distraction with this picture if you are looking for a thriller. You can do worse.