The Horror Show
Insidious: Chapter 2
by James Wan
James Wan and Leigh Whannell have certainly found their footing again. After the mega-success of the Saw franchise, they tried a few other projects. The two collaborated with Dead Silence, a doll-based horror film that, despite a few chilling moments here and there, garnered only a lukewarm response at best. Wan tried his directorial hand at a revenge based material with Death Sentence with the always talented Kevin Bacon, but it also fell into relative obscurity. Finally, in 2010, Wan and Whannell teamed up again for Insidious. Their current careers thank them for that decision.
Insidious follows a husband and wife's desperate attempt to bring their son out of a sudden coma. It quickly becomes clear that several entities are taking up residence in their homes with sinister intentions. Insidious polarized critics and audiences, but it made a mark and people were paying attention. I thought it was a lot of fun. The primary focus of Insidious seemed to be making a movie that was just a whole bunch of entertainment, with all sorts of tongue-in-cheek moments. People responded to it, and more doors were open. While Wan has utilized the haunting aspect in other films as of late including The Conjuring and its sister film Annabelle, he and Whannell worked together again for Insidious: Chapter 2, as well as the upcoming third installment.
I should say that I've found it is very difficult to fully review this particular sequel without delving into specifics of the original. If you're one of those folks that loves nothing more than curling up with a review of a movie that is a sequel to another movie that you've never seen, it's only fair I warn you. There will be spoilers about the first Insidious film scattered throughout this review. The movie at hand, however, will remain spoiler-free.
Insidious: Chapter 2 picks up pretty soon after the first installment. For those of you familiar with the climax of the first film, (Last Warning) the main character Josh (Patrick Wilson) entered the dark world where his son has been taken. Upon coming out, it is revealed that he has actually been lost in the world as well and an evil old woman has inhabited his body. The old woman works through him and he (although not really him) murders Elise (Lin Shaye) a woman who has been helping the couple retrieve their lost son. When I saw the first one in theaters I assumed that it was a gut-punch style ending that was not necessarily meant to be a cliffhanger of any kind. Insidious Chapter 2 happened, however, and I must say that their explanation of things is a lot less stupid than it could have been.
The police are investigating the family in relation to Elise's murder. There was no grandiose activity that we missed out on between the two films. Josh is still evidently taken over by the old woman entity, but no one else dares speak this out loud. At least not around him. Josh's wife Renai (Rose Byrne) has some help on her side. There's Carl (Steve Coulter), a man who knew Josh as a child and who has some paranormal abilities of his own. And we have our paranormal investigation team from the first film played by Leigh Whannell and Angus Sampson. These two were definitely my favorite element of the first movie. They balance heroism, comedic exchange, and being downright adorable if I'm being honest and they bring that same fun lovable element to Chapter 2.
Insidious Chapter 2 is really a fitting title as it feels more like a continuation of the first one than a whole new movie. Some horror sequels such as Hatchet 2, August Underground's Mordum or Wolf Creek 2 go about topping the first movie as much as possible. Insidious Chapter 2 doesn't really try to take things to the next level. It simply keeps moving in the same type of direction, but this isn't really a criticism as it seems to be the intention. I truly believe that Wan and Whannell have a big picture concept for the series and the sequel primarily serves as a continuing motion; mainly linking the next installment with the first one. This film does, however, give us a little more insight and exploration into the details of what's really going on with the evil beings.
As with the first Insidious, I'd be lying if I said that the actual scary elements don't come from 90% jump-scare territory. However, Wan and Whannell really know how to do such things correctly. Jump-scares are, understandably, often seen as cheap. But rather than just have stuff go “boo!” and make you jump, they set the scene to maximize when that happens. Using sound, scenario, and a loose, fluid style, these feats still come across somehow impressive.
All the acting in the film feels genuine and authentic. Patrick Wilson, as always, churns out a good performance balancing the evil woman inhabiting him with the character of Josh still intact elsewhere. He seems to be having a lot of fun with the material and it shows in a good way. I've always liked Wilson and I'm happy to see him move into successful horror waters. Especially considering he seemingly lost a bet and ended up having to co-star in Hard Candy; a movie so worthless that if you try to pawn a copy of it, they arrest you for shoplifting. That disaster was hardly his fault, however, and he makes up for it with his recent work with James Wan's latest few directorial efforts. This one is no exception and I'm glad he was down for the sequel.
The other actors are equally competent. The chemistry between the cast as a whole is great and Rose Byrne avoids some of the more annoying elements of the “desperate wife” character that is often irritating in other films. All the actors seem to know exactly what kind of movie they're making and do what they do accordingly.
As with the first one, Insidious: Chapter 2 reminds me of Drag Me To Hell in some ways. I love Sam Raimi's curse-based masterpiece and Insidious: Chapter 2 is quite different, but they both have that combination of humor amongst the depressing feeling of impending doom. Insidious: Chapter 2 isn't a film that I believe will go down in history as one of the finest horror films of all time, but it does accomplish some pretty great things. The horror notes are still able to hit, even mixed with the wacky and over-the-top style and subject matter.
It could just be me, but the story can get a little confusing at times. It isn't poorly written at all, but it has a lot of elements and I would suggest re-watching the first one if you haven't in a while. If I can drive home one point it is how connected Insidious 2 is to the first one. If you liked the first one, you should like this one. If you hated the first one then I can't imagine you would be any happier this time around. Personally, I like them both.
James Wan and Leigh Whannell have a lot to be proud of with two successful franchises under their belts. I'm looking forward to seeing how the Insidious series plays out, whether it's a trilogy or the next Saw with five or so more sequels on the way. If there's one endorsement I can give it's this: I still want to see the next one. I'm definitely interested enough to make that statement.
P.J. Griffin, HMS
The Horror Show Menu.