Rating of
3/4
A True Continuation
Unknown - wrote on 09/14/13
'Insidious: Chapter 2' is easily one of the best horror sequels I've seen in a long time. A true continuation of the first and not just a re-hash of old for the sake of making money (like most sequels these days). The story continues onward from where we left off, provides a prequel segment, adds some interesting mythology, and even revisits scenes from the first from a different perspective. Because of this, it's crucial that you watch 'Insidious' beforehand. This is my favorite aspect of the film, the way in which the story is so tightly connected. It made both films feel like two halves of a whole. The only drawback to the story is that the plot becomes heavy with interconnected moments and many scenes that switch back and forth between places and time periods, providing very little breathing time in general. With that said, the fact that most of the abundant scares are still effective is a testament to director James Wan's ability. He manages to surprise and frighten in doses, even when given little setup time between scares. It does feel lighter in tone, but the atmosphere is still present and provides ample tension through most of the film. Some aspects lean slightly towards silly, but they add a certain element of fun. Though, the final scene feels tacked on for no good reason. 'Insidious: Chapter 2' is just one ounce shy of being as good as the first, which is what keeps it right on the cusp of that 3.5 rating for me.
