YEAR:2013
RUNTIME: 1hr, 45mins
MY RATING: 7/10
Following the Lambert family and their paranormal activity once again Insidious Chapter 2 picks up right where the first left off Josh (Patrick Wilson) has just returned from “The Further” and Elise (Lin Shaye) the medium has been strangled to death. Lorraine (Barbara Hershey) enlist the help of Elise’s old friend Carl (Steve Coulter), his fancy dice, along with Specs and Tucker (Leigh Whanell, Angus Sampson) to continue investigating the weird occurrences all the while Josh’s poor wife Renai (Rose Byrne) is harassed and abused by the evil entities. When I first sat through Insidious Chapter 2 in theaters I wasn’t quite sure what I was
getting myself into. Call me a chicken but, I will admit that I was thoroughly uncomfortable during the second half of the first movie [pre Darth Maul’s goofy cousin showed himself we’ll call him Bart Maul] so I was ready to experience that same heart slowing, gut feeling once again. Unfortunately the sequel didn’t live up to it’s predecessor [in my opinion anyway] I chalk this up to the fact being that they didn’t spend as much time in “The Further” where in the first gave some great creepy imagery and tense tones that I missed while viewing Chapter 2. I did appreciate the fact that we got a back story into the Black Bride Killer so it didn’t feel like a meaningless installment since it actually added something to the story rather than dragging it out and there were a few scares throughout that gave me that uncomfortable build up before a timely startle [DON’T YOU DARE!! Anyone?]. Upon watching Insidious Chapter 2 a second time I enjoyed it a little more, since I didn’t go into it with expectations I allowed myself to be entertained by the movie instead of comparing it to the first. I liked that flashbacks were tossed into the movie without confusing or throwing viewers off and actually serving a purpose. Getting a glimpse into the life of the old lady that we learned followed Josh since childhood and finding out that there was a lot more that meets the eye. Suffice to say [SPOILER ALERT!!] a cross dressing serial killer was not at all something I expected. Insidious Chapter 2 expands the Lambert’s case and ends with wrapping the story up nicely in a little bow however, a final scene leaves it open for a possible third film surrounding a new family and with sounds hinting at a return from Bart Maul. The vibe I got from this was almost Ghost Buster-esque [let me explain before you verbally lynch me] if the third focused more on Specs and Tucker visiting different families and working on different cases [can I just say their banter and the silliness they bring make my heart fill will giggles? Too much? Movin on.] I’d be on board that way we don’t have to see the same movie rehashed with different characters. I’ll go ahead and recommend this movie to anyone who hasn’t seen it and for those who have give it a second watch maybe you will like it more or maybe you will just waste your time who knows? But, go into it to be entertained not with the intentions to critique it from a film student’s mindset. Until next time guys, You stay classy horror fans.