Like the great film, it's made with a great deal of visible affection both in front of and behind the camera.

There are moments in this movie where the great movie it could've been peek out... They're fleeting, here, but they're worth savoring, and they happen often enough to make it worth your while.

The film's masterful storytelling did its job. The message was clear. No need to overdo.

The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.

I'm a great fan of Naomi Watts, so when I saw Funny Games from 1997, I could not resist watching a remake immediately. After a few minutes, I realized that this is not a classic remake, but literally to the detail the same movie, only shot at another location and with the other set of actors. Ok, they've changed dog breed and cell phone and kitchen appliances are more modern, but everything else is identical. Every scene, every cadre, every word. I do not understand why Haneke had the need to do something like this, without even trying to bring at least a little original spirit into this remake. After fifteen minutes I got bored, so , out of love for Naomi, I just skipped to the key points and watched the most important scenes. At first I was sorry I did not watch the remake first, because of Naomi of course, but I soon discovered that I did not make a mistake because the original is somewhat better.Funny Games is a psychological thriller/horror, which shows the family on vacation in the middle of nowhere. A couple of young sociopaths break into their house and start a psycho-physical terror. Story is solid, with no big holes and illogicality, and shows the situation very realistically. The directing is excellent and manages to build an extremely stressful atmosphere completely without explicit scenes, with this tension somewhat stronger in the original. As far as acting is concerned, it's hard to say which cast is better overall. Although Michael Pitt is really creepy, Arno Frisch and Frank Giering are much better in roles of young sociopaths. On the other hand, Naomi Watts is slightly better Anna than Susanne Lothar, while Tim Rot completely overshadows Ulrich Mühe from the very start.!!! SPOILER ALERT !!!All in all, this more than a solid thriller, with a strong atmosphere that kept me on the edge of the seat, would have earned a strong eight, maybe even nine, if Haneke did not come to a totally moronic idea to add a "fourth dimension", i.e. direct communication with the audience. On several occasions we have freezing of the image, actors talking to the audience, and on top of everything, one of the characters takes the remote control in the middle of denouement, rewinds the movie few minutes back, and then movie takes completely different direction. This kind of scene is suitable only and exclusively in comedies, and even there it's outworn, but for a serious psychological thriller it is a complete deal-breaker and spoils overall impression to seven tops. Due to a certain difference in the atmosphere of the original and the remake, I give them half a score up and down.1997. - 7,5/10 2007. - 6,5/10Arno & Frank - 8/10 Naomi & Tim - 9/10

This movie is pure trash. director was high directing

There's no actual story here. It's a "character" study of two violent, evil sociopaths who psychologically and physically torment an innocent family. That's all that happens. The family never has a chance. You keep hoping, but they are trapped. This just goes on and on and on. It's like watching a cat slowly kill its prey. It's actually well done. It's creepy, the suspense is quite masterful. For those who like to watch the ultimate story portraying ugly and cruel don't care about the good guys winning....this is for you. I felt ripped off because I kept watching expecting the "situation" for these innocent people to reverse. It never did. The writer of this must be somewhat sadistic himself. There are those who will like it, I'm sure, it is well done for what is is. Ick.

Funny Games (2007) is a USA English-speaking identical remake of the 1997 Austrian film of the same name. Both films were written and directed by the world-renowned Austrian screen playwright and director Michael Haneke, one of the greatest film artists working today. Both films are fascinating psychological crime thrillers that portray the criminal sadist mind. This film is more of the intellectual genre rather than the brainless action/gore thriller; it is sometimes referred to as "playing with your mind". Some people just can't grasp that genre, so please don't let negative reviews by brainless fuddy-duddies influence you. Watch this movie! It is great! Yes, it's very dark, intense, and shocking, but you could list a dozen other famous and great films that are equally dark and shocking. So, I concurrently agree that if you don't like dark psychological crime movies, then you shouldn't view this movie. But to call this a poor film because you can't digest the subject matter is simply dumb.Funny Games depicts a home invasion perpetrated by two psychopathic young men upon a moderately wealthy young couple who are vacationing at their private lake home with their child son. The two psychopaths gain entry to the victim's home by appearing genuine and normal at first. The screenwriter's combination of "cold politeness" with utter depravity in the two young criminals is part of this film's unique morbid appeal. I won't reveal any further details to avoid further spoiling the suspense and story to prospective viewers.If you like dark suspense, this film will keep you frightened and glued to your seat from beginning to end. Because one thing that this film is NOT, is predictable. It also contains a surprise scene that temporarily shifts into the realm of fantasy, which further bends minds and entertains the audience. The acting, directing, story development, and screenplay are excellent.