What looked to be an interesting idea and started out well(on the drug side of things), turned out to be rather dull...
It was full of cliche lines, overused tropes and an inability to convincingly connect with the main character's motivations beyond their initial introduction.
It's not the worst film, easy entertainment.. just dont expect anything remotely unpredictable.
Or even a romance that doesn't feel basic, forced, or expected. Colouring inside the lines.
Even their deaths leave you feeling a disconnect, apathy... Ok, so what's next?
It's disappointing, because some of these actors have done amazing works elsewhere.
I gave it the benefit of the doubt amyway, waited for some great twist at the end.. but even the ending leaves you wondering if that was really it?
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.
Finally a role for Anna Kendrick that can show her true potential, I hope she gets more and more roles with a little bit more depth.
I feel like she could be a really great actress given the right person to play..
This barely passed in my book... It's utterly generic for most of it's runtime and wastes a lot of time just racking up some kills until it comes around to the main attraction. David Gordon Green adds very little flavor to it but that is also not surprising with four writers on this. What is however is all the elaborate stupidity that made it into the script.
The multi-generational element of the story was the saving grace for me and the theme song never gets old either :).
This is a beautiful story, exquisitely performed! If you are not able to suspend disbelief and see truth in fantasy, I grieve for you, because you miss out on gems like this film. This story deals with loneliness, kindness, friendship, love, courage and nobility. As well as ambition, prejudice, corruption of power, cruelty and powerlessness. Guillermo del Toro wove a sensitive and beautiful story set in a sterile and cruel world. The performances are wonderful by a talented and accomplished cast. The production design brilliantly captures the romantic tension of the piece. I highly recommend this film and give it a 9 (superbly beautiful) out of 10. [Fantasy, Drama, Romance]
Another for the better than expected List.
