Insidious: Chapter 2

Cast: Rose Bryne, Patrick Wilson, Ty Simpkins, Lin Shaye, Barbara Hershey, Leigh Whannell and Angus Sampson.

Director: James Wan

Release Date: 2013

Running Time: 1hr 46 minutes

Genre: Horror

Rating: PG-13

Format: Blu-Ray

Synopsis:

The Lamberts believe they have defeated the spirits that have haunted their family, but they soon discover that evil is not beaten so easily.

*May contain possible spoilers*

Chapter two leads on very nicely from the first film. This time however we are introduced to Josh's backstory, he too saw something very haunting when he was a little boy, something that has followed him from the Further into the real world. Although the Lamberts are now living at Lorraine's house, evil has followed them. Chapter two is essentially about the thing that Josh saw when he was a little boy. Patrick Wilson steals the show as Josh Lambert, his character has great significance in this film along with another very important character. If you found the first movie a little bit confusing, don't worry, all will be explained in this one. James Wan is back once again as director, as is screenwritier Leigh Whannel. Although I prefer the first movie, this one is equally as impressive. The characters are absolutely fantastic, we're even introduced to a few new ones. One of which is absolutely terrifying. We sadly don't see as much of the boys as we did in the first movie, the first film was about Dalton, this one is essentially about Josh. Patrick Wilson's performance really is fantastic, he shows fantastic characterization, you can see the subtle change in his character through out the film, Patrick Wilson could easily tell the story all on his own. Parker Crane is a character to look out for in this movie, he's absolutely frightening, his character is very complex, psychopathic and evil.

James Wan has chosen to film chapter two a little bit differently to the first none the less it's equally as impressive as the first. I love that Wan had Leigh come back and write the storyline again, I prefer how the first movie was shot, but I love the storyline to this one much better. It's more graphic and far more frightening. Whannell was very clever when he wrote the first movie, there are moments that don't make sense, however it worked perfectly in the first film, and when explained in this one, the audience find themselves piecing the puzzle together. The movie flows very nicely, it gets straight to the point exceptionally fast, chapter two could of easily have been added into the first film, however it would of made for a pretty long film. Hence chapter two. Wan was able to build up far more suspense and tension in this one then he ever could with the first film. He doesn't necessarily rely on jump scares, but more how each individual scene is shot.

The make up department earn the highest praise for this film, they have done a fantastic job in creating terrifying characters. What's so frightening about this movie isn't what you can't see, but what you can. Wan has gone to great effort to frighten his audience. Most movies rely on making their audience believe one thing is happening when in essence something else is, if Wan wants to show his audience something he will go to great effort to show it. Making for a far more frightening experience. As I've mentioned before I'm not the biggest fan with how Wan chose to shoot this movie, he has however still chosen some pretty unique effects to get his point across, using some scenes from the first film, along with some new ones. Personally Wan could have gone to a bit more effort with the lighting on this film, the lighting on the first movie effected the tone perfectly. It's a shame he didn't choose to use the same effect. Although it's still good it doesn't have the same feel as the first one. Wan also chose to focus on his actors more this time then special effects. It still works very well.

You could really watch this movie first, to understand the elements of the first movie. However there would still be moments in this film that wouldn't make sense. Although there are three movies this one does not lead into the next. Equally as frightening as the first, scarier characters, scarier scenes. Absolutely terrifying. A must have for any fan who loved the first movie.

5/5 stars