And…we’re back at it!
James Wan, you brilliant, strange-minded Malaysian S.O.B., you’ve done it again. Apparently, I just can’t stop reviewing this guy’s movies. I wonder if there’s some kind of Anonymous group for this sort of thing?
This sequel to the 2011 horror hit has us right back in the thick of things with the Lambert family. Chapter 2 picks up immediately where chapter 1 leaves off, which in general is what chapters should do. It is literally the next day after Josh Lambert took his jaunt into The Further to find his son, and now the family just wants to return to some sort of normalcy. However, as the ending of chapter 1 eludes to, something is not quite right with Josh Lambert.
While the first movie was all about finding out what was wrong with the son, the sequel is all about what’s wrong with the father. As far as sequel plotlines go, I think this one is pretty groovy, and a good way to make sure that the movies stay well connected to one another.
Also, in my review of chapter 1, I mentioned that the end was somewhat ambiguous and incomplete feeling. The reason becomes apparent in chapter 2 as Wan rather creatively interweaves the two stories to give the audience a more complete picture of what is really happening.
The entire cast reprise their roles for this flick (including one or two of the dead ones). What’s great about chapter 2 is that the apparitions, or whatever, in The Further are utilized a lot more, which creates a better overall sense of creepiness. That little chill on your spine is much more present. Also, this story connects a lot more with things that have happened in the real human world, so at times there are seemingly parallel plot lines happening.
Good, good stuff.
This is certainly one of the few horror franchises where I can say that I like the sequel better than the original.
Oh yeah, also, spoiler alert – there’s definitely a set up for a chapter 3. Let’s hope it’s just as good as this one and that people aren’t just getting greedy.
Catch up on the set before it becomes a trilogy. Watch Insidious: Chapter 2 on Amazon Instant Video.
Chris Moore is a freelance masochist and an aspiring wordsmith. His travels have made him a self proclaimed expert on all things frightening, odd, and entertaining. On breaks from jet setting and bourbon guzzling, he graces SML with pithy and satirical commentary on what – or what not – to watch. All hail the Maniacal Master of Movie Reviews! The second most interesting man in the world. Read more from Chris here.
