That even after hundreds of horror films with a similar design, films can still be made that scare you to death, director James Wan proves once again. Before this movie he showed with The Conjuring tat even with a fairly conventional story he could do more than just well. Especially the first half hour had a strong tension build-up.
Insidious had a very original design with a surprisingly creepy effect. Here too, it was mainly Wan's timing that was able to overtake the viewer at exactly the right moments. This is no different in the second part of the horror hit. However, at times the logic has to be circumvented in order to maintain consistency. Those who can still remember the end of the first chapter know that this could immediately cause problems at the beginning of chapter two. After all that happened, Josh Lambert (Patrick Wilson), the father of the boy who was plagued by supernatural powers, would actually have to sit behind the bars (if that's righteous or not, is a different matter). But the official police investigation is still on-going, which helps to quickly catch up with the viewers who skipped the first chapter in a questioning scene.
Unfortunaly that makes an creepy build-up like in Insidious immediately impossible. It is therefore inconceivable that Insidious; Chapter 2can be as chilling as it's predecessor, simply because you already know how everything works. This second part is also regularly seen as a repetition of moves. It is logical that the film explores the world between life and death again, but little new is added to it. The way in which the story takes shape this time feels a lot easier. Particularly in the climax of the film, the viewer must take a number of unbelievable and moderately elaborate twists for granted.
But do not forget that the same James Wan is still the director. This man can take care of blood-curdling moments with something as simple as a baby monitor. Even though Insidious: Chapter 2 is no longer as refreshing and smart as the first part, it is still a horrot that, because of the horrible oppressive atmosphere and well-timed scares, effortlessly exceeds the average. And with that, even the almost laughable final scene, where the doors are unearthed open for a third chapter, is overlooked.
" In my line of work things tend to happen when it gets dark."
7,2/10
"Go to hell!!"
More ghosts, a demonic possession, a really cool twisted villain and a mystery I was engaged with. A great companion piece to the first, it's a whole lot of fun even though it's a step down from the first. So many twists and turns and the second half is wild and thrilling but because there's so much stuff happening all the time and it's so jam packed, it loses some scare factor. It still has some decent scares though like the closet scare and what Patrick Wilson's character is going through in this movie is so good, I love what they did with him and great performance. Specs and Tucker are MVPs in this one, they bring a much needed comedic tone to break the ice in a lot of scenes. The mechanics of Elise being back is kinda ridiculous but at the same time, the franchise wouldn't be the same without her so they need to keep her around no matter what. If Carl is the second best medium Elise ever worked with, I want to know who's the best. The Lady in Black's backstory was awesome twisted. Can't wait to see the continuation of this storyline in The Red Door.
This makes very few concessions to those that haven't seen the original, picking up directly after the events of the first film and indeed there is even one clever moment in the film that helps to redefine prior events. It is nice to see the filmmakers attempt something a little different here within the world they have set up, although again they are not wholly successful - here they decide to focus on developing the backstory to Wilson's character as well as explore the resolution to the original. It is a clever plot that offers some surprises despite the derivative ghostly serial killer. The film, however makes the same mistakes many horror films do that essentially make it far less scary - initially it seems to be repeating the same haunted house scenarios from the first before gradually revealing far too much backstory and robbing the film of any unpredictability that might help to scare. Sometimes it is the unknown and randomness of events that are far creepier than connecting all the threads of the story into an intricate plot. Indeed, Wan has to rely far more here on loud jump scares that are prevalent in so many poor horror films. Curiously, the most effective villain from the first film fails to make an appearance - perhaps this is being saved for the inevitable third entry that this can't help but set up.
Review by Calum ScottBlockedParent2014-01-12T02:19:07Z
This film is more than just a horror, if it doesn't scare you that doesn't make it a bad film. Insidious is just as much about the story as it is the scares. It does a fantastic job of setting up a solid atmosphere, trying out new scare techniques while still dabbling in the tried-and-true methods of your typical jump scare.
This "sequel" is more of a natural continuation of the story. It picks up right where the first film left off and does the story real justice. It expands the mythology behind "The Further" while dealing with Josh's new-found possession. If you don't feel you can watch it for the scares then watch it for the story because it's a bloody good one.
One of my favourite things about this film is it's not only a sequel but also works it's way as a prequel too. It takes us right back to when Josh was a kid and how he first came into contact with the woman in black. Not only that but this film does a beautiful job of linking back to the unexplained scenes in the first film which, when experiencing that for the first time, is an absolute treat.
Don't listen to reviews saying it wasn't scary enough or it was worse than the first film. This is just the second chapter of the same story. It doesn't care for rehashing the first film but instead does something different. You don't discriminate between chapters of a book complaining one wasn't as scary as the other, one wasn't as good as the other. They're all chapters of the same story and work together to create this fantastic, whole story.
Insidious is just that. With the 3rd film confirmed it's clear that Insidious is one big story not just about the scares, not just about the Lambert family but instead the bigger picture is about "The Further" and the story behind it. The entities involved, whether they're parasites or demons.
If you liked the first film you'll love the second. It's still got the familiar atmosphere, the comic relief from Specs and Tucker, and even features a music score that takes inspiration from the first film's soundtrack while offering something to keep things feeling fresh.
I'm a sucker for a well-written story and the Insidious franchise is no exception. Leigh Whannell (who funnily enough, also plays the character Specs) does a great job in penning the screenplays. The story is fresh, exciting an after Insidious: Chapter 2 I feel fully confident in the Insidious series/franchise and am very much looking forward to full trilogy.
Whether this film scares you, makes you laugh or doesn't let you sleep.. you can't deny it's a solid, original story. Forget the labels and just enjoy the film for what it is. Really. Fucking. Good.