The Hills Have Eyes 2

If you're a fan of the cannibal hillbillies franchise, you'll eat up the extras on this DVD. There are six. They're of sensible length and, while they won't change your life, they're a nice postprandial.

First off, there's Mutant Attacks, a look at the main new mutants introduced for the sequel and a chance to meet the actors behind them, Derek Mears (Chameleon) and Michael Bailey Smith (Papa Hades). They're nice fellas who don't mind sitting for hours in the make-up chair – no real surprise there; I'm sure the pay is good. We also hear from the likes of co-writer Jonathan Craven (guess who his dad is) that the mutants deserve a bit of our sympathy.

Obviously filmed at the same time was Exploring The Hills: The Making Of The Hills Have Eyes 2. It's the usual mix of clips and soundbites. The actors were uncomfortable being covered in mud and water, but enjoyed themselves. Writers Craven and Craven worked together to come up with a fun sequel. We meet German director Martin Weisz, Brits cinematographer Sam McCurdy and production designer Keith Wilson, among others. It's pleasant stuff, but entirely missable.

Better is The Making Of A Graphic Novel, that being The Hills Have Eyes: The Beginning. Writers Jimmy Palmiotti and Justin Gray, artist John Higgins (another Brit) and colourist Dennis Calero (no mean penciller and inker himself) take us through the process of putting together the prequel. They're an enthusiastic bunch, far from hacks - it's obvious they want to add something to the franchise, not just produce a quick cash-in.

There are four deleted scenes - one crap gag and three bits of dramatic business - and a gag reel with no discernable gags, just actors fannying about.

The best of the bunch, extras-wise, is the Fox Movie Channel show, Life After Film School With Wes Craven, in which the man behind the Hills films, Scream, Nightmare On Elm Street, Red Eye and more answers questions from three earnest young film students. They laugh, but seem a little uncomfortable, as if they'd rather be interviewing someone who makes arty Armenian films than an unashamed populist. And if that's true, Craven is sharp enough to know it, but he's commendably unruffled, friendly and, as the veteran shockmeister he is, ready to admit that he filmed the two Hills in Morocco to - gasp - save money. You can see the students' heads spinning. But you can bet they came to appreciate his knowledge of their shared craft.