It really made me laugh, but for some moments I was tearing up because I could relate so much.

It’s sentimental, ridiculously long and only occasionally funny

The story, direction, characters, and writing/dialogue is akin to taking a tranquilizer shot to the neck, but everything else was so well done.

Blistering performances.

Movie: Straw Dogs (UA)Rating: 4/5I haven't seen the original yet but was compelled to watch this film as the poster was very impressive, as was the trailer. Even though the reviews and IMDb rating both weren't very positive, I couldn't resist myself from watching it. And I was seriously impressed. I saw it dubbed in Hindi and the dubbing too was quite excellent.STRAW DOGS is an intense action thriller, and I mean it. The film is quite intense throughout, but the real intensity comes out in the heavily impressive action packed climax. James Marsden is enough of a reason to watch the film as his look is extremely amazing. He excels in the film throughout, and is a treat to watch in the climax where he shows an exactly different of what you'll have expected. Kate Bosworth is decent, though there's nothing much remarkable about the performance. Alexander Skarsgard as the antagonist is however very impressive. The visuals of the film are praiseworthy, and there's a tense feel throughout the film. The first half is engaging and decently written, and it's towards the beginning of the second hour that the intensity increases. Many sequences have been executed extremely well.The character development too needs to be highly appreciated as it has been projected skilfully and convincingly. The action sequences are, definitely a treat to watch and form a major highlight of the film. The theme music is quite good and memorable. The dialogues are decently written and delivered. Thr cinematography, undoubtedly is a major asset to the film. Besides, the Hindi dubbing is excellent as said before and the voice used for James fits him very well.STRAW DOGS is a well made action thriller which has plenty of intense moments, making it a worthy watch.

Have you seen it? No? There is likely a very good reason for that...it stinks.Like nearly ALL the endless remakes and reboots that have been plaguing movie goers for the past decade or so....all this is, is a heartless version of the original.It has no heart.It has no soul.It is a retelling of a film that we all love and cherish...and it adds nothing to the story. It improves nothing but the special effects--which held up very well over time--and in some cases belittles the fans of the original...particularly in the fact that they remade the movie at all, without adding anything clever to it.Like so many other remakes it is a hallow shell of the original.

If I was remaking Straw Dogs I think I would avoid casting for the Dustin Hoffman role an actor who has played a superhero. I am sure Hoffman never appeared in an action role prior to Straw Dogs.I do not regard Sam Peckinpah's original version as a classic. It took an age to get going and there are ambiguities in that film which still incites debate to this day.Writer and Director Rod Lurie has decided to follow Peckinpah's version closely which is a mistake. He should had reimagined his version of Straw Dogs.The setting has moved from the Cornish countryside of England to the Deep South. James Marsden plays a Hollywood screenwriter rather than a mathematics academic with his wife Kate Bosworth playing an actress.Alexander Skarsgard and his posse of construction workers supply the creeps. He is Bosworth's ex boyfriend and still takes a shine to her, while Bosworth still leads him on with revealing clothes and teasing behaviour.James Woods is the former high school football coach and the rowdy drunk who still commands respect from his former players. Dominic Purcell is the dimwit who gets egged on by Woods teenage cheerleader daughter.Marsden and Bosworth return to her home town so he can write his new screenplay. Skarsgard starts flirting early on with Bosworth and he is then engaged to do building work for them but soon the alpha male Skarsgard sees Marsden as a figure of fun and entices him away from the house so he can catch up with Bosworth even forcing himself on her.When Purcell is taken in by Marsden for protection he decides to fight back against Woods, Skarsgard and the rest of the gang.The film is a by the numbers remake, sterile, weak and clichéd. Even the climax when Marsden and Bosworth are attacked in their house is underwhelming compared to the original.

After seeing this movie, the only character that demonstrate some logic in their thinking pattern is David summers (played by James Marsden), most of the characters (including Amy - played by Kate Bosworth) are showing signs of psychological problems, or suffering from some exaggerated emotional challenges. There are many parts/ scenes that can make one think or question as to why and what are the motives for such behaviors, as follows: A) An attractive female running alone in the woods without wearing any under-garment B) Living in an isolated house and chose not to lock the doors and think its safe and secure - silly. C) Purposely and deliberately undressing her garment in front of some men who shows signs of barbarism, and cruelty? - is like what the? hello, the girl is outnumbered if these men were to advance towards her D) an attractive young girl presumably 15yrs seducing a mentally retarded man (who is played by Dominic Purcell), - again, when you applied logic, it make no sense as there are plenty of Footballs players with equal physique (if she is really into handsomeness). E)the "one bullet can blow up a car" scene - it may work in a 60s and 70s Triller movie, (in which I later discovered it was actually a remake), but to bring this concept into the year 2011, its almost unacceptable. - and much more...So...if you enjoy watching Triller films where most of the characters are demonstrating some psychological problems, then this movie can help you achieve the "anxiety" state. Overall, strong casting but the concept and logic is a bit outdated.