Article source for : Finally! A horror 'remake' that's better! WHEN A STRANGER CALLS
WHEN A STRANGER CALLS (2005 'remake') Liked it more than the original, and you've seldom heard me say that. No, this is not a perfect movie, but it held my interest for the most part. The reason I say it's better than the original is, it carries the suspense for the entire movie, rather than for only the first 20 minutes or so. The best thing about this one is the house itself, which they actually built just to use in the movie! Totally modern, even somewhat futuristic, and yet, through photography and lighting, it manages to be every bit as creepy and menacing as any old mansion or claustrophobic small old house (think HALLOWEEN or the NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET series) could be. The director has (wisely) made the house itself a character in the movie. The killer here seems far more menacing, as in the first one, the killer is strong enough to tear people apart with his hands and teeth, yet later got his ass kicked in a bar. Also, in the original, they made you feel sympathy for the killer (in the tedious middle part), which seemed out of place. Not so here. Neither movie really gives you any background on the killer or exactly why he does what he does, but it isn't needed, as here he really seems menacing/evil. Really has more of the first HALLOWEEN and Friday THE 13TH films (or BLACK Christmas) feel to it than an actual remake of the first version, but actually a more complete and less disjointed film. Better than most of the crap coming out of Hollywood these days.
