Sinister 2
Released 8/21/15
If you've been reading this blog, you know how I feel about the first Sinister film. It's a modern day horror classic. It's the benchmark by which I compare all movies in this genre now. I thought it was that good. I was cautiously optimistic when news of a sequel was released. Sure, who doesn't want to see the continuation of a great story. But, I've seen the hatchet job (no offense to another great horror franchise) taken to horror sequels. That's not saying it can't be done well. I thought the Saw franchise was terrific through all seven chapters (I may be one of the few). But, then there are sequels like Silent Hill: Revelation that just totally undo all the goodwill garnered by the original. Being such a fan of the first film, I wanted so much for the former to be true.
For those unfamiliar with Sinister, it tells the story of a true crime author who knowingly moves his unknowing family into a house where another family was gruesomely murdered to complete his next book. While doing research for the book, he discovers a mysterious box in the attic containing several Super 8 reel films depicting similar murders of different families all with innocuous titles such as "Family Hanging Out", "Pool Party", "Lawn Work", etc. As the story unfolds, it is revealed that an evil entity is behind the deeds, a corruptor of innocence known as Bughuul (or "Mr. Boogie" by children).
Sinister 2 picks up some unspecified time after the disturbing end of the first film. We begin in the same fashion as the original seeing an unknown family dying horrifically at the hands of an unknown assailant. It's revealed to be the nightmare of a young boy, Dylan, who is living in a rural, isolated farmhouse with his twin brother, Zach, and mother, Courtney (Shannon Sossamon). It's later revealed they are in hiding from their abusive and well-connected father and husband, Clint.
Strange things are happening to Dylan in his new home, not the least of which are the nightly visits from ghostly children led by Milo who continually show him Super 8 film reels of the vicious murders of their respective families. It's all an effort to recruit Dylan for their malevolent master, the pagan deity, Bughuul.
Meanwhile, Deputy So & So (James Ransone and, yes, that is how he is known in the first movie) is trying to do his part to end the threat of Bughuul by burning down the houses where the demon-related murders have taken place. Tracking Bughuul's "footprints", the now ex-deputy, has traced his influence to the current farmhouse inhabited by Courtney and her boys.
The deputy arrives at the farmhouse to burn it down expecting it to be abandoned, but, he reluctantly becomes the protector for Courtney's family from both her husband and Bughuul who influenced murders at a small church on the farmhouse property. However, when the deputy leaves temporarily to gather more intel, Courtney's husband strikes and forces his family to leave with him. When the deputy returns he knows all too well what will happen next. By leaving the murder house, the family is now officially marked for death by Bughuul. The question is who is the demon attempting to corrupt to carry out the deed? It may not be who you think.
What made Sinister great was the heaviness that film placed on the audience. From reel one you have such a feeling that horrific events are to come. There was just such an underlying feeling of...dread. The atmosphere stunk of it. It grabbed you and didn't let go. And, it chilled you to the bone. There aren't a lot of horror movies that can do that to me these days. This one did. No pretense. It hit you like a hammer.
Sinister 2 offers the same type of atmosphere and attempted scares, but, it was different this time. It wasn't close to being as meaningful as the first. For me, the biggest weakness was there was no mystery in Sinister 2.
Scott Derrickson, director of first movie, was a producer and writer on the sequel and handed the director's reigns to Ciaran Foy. Both didn't quite hit the mark here of what made Sinister a classic. Part of it was the mystery. You didn't always know why things were happening the way they did and that is what added to the fear. I know I've blasted some horror movies for not offering enough exposition for what is on screen. More often than not, I've found many modern day movies in this genre leave me with a feeling of "What was that?" at the very end. In the case of Sinister 2, there was a case of too much explanation. In a way, it partly ruined the film for me.
For example, the ghostly children in the first movie were made creepier by the fact that they didn't talk. They were just there and just there suddenly in some respects. They weren't angry poltergeists that tossed the room they were in. They just lurked. From the beginning, Milo and the other ghosts kids in the sequel had their edge dulled as it was so obvious they were on a recruiting assignment and just drove home constantly that their mark had to watch every horrific movie reel. Their methods also made little sense considering who they were trying to recruit. I won't ruin it for you, but, you'll know what I mean when you watch. Apparently, Dylan had to watch every family snuff reel before Bughuul would deem him ready to take out his own family.
These were explanations that I personally didn't need. Sinister was the perfect one-off type of movie that really didn't need a follow up. But, when you make $88 million on a $3 million budget, I guess the inevitable sequel will always come with territory. I just wish all involved had taken the tact that less was more. There's a fine line between phenomena that needs an answer and that which doesn't. I can't tell you where that line is. But, I know when it is reached. Don't misunderstand. There was nothing in Sinister 2 as egregious as the dead Highlanders going back to their home planet or midichlorians explaining the power behind the Force. But, the creepy mystery behind part of the story is just gone.
This isn't to say Sinister 2 is a complete loss. The parts of the movie that worked for me are the scenes involving Bughuul himself. He still menacingly lurks in the background jumping out of photos, moving to the foreground on computer screens, etc. We actually discover what it means to disappoint him which I thought was a nice touch. The kills are brutal and shocking.
Sinister 2 is not an awful movie, but, it is unnecessary. There is enough here to say it's worth a look if you have seen the first and your curiosity gets the best of you. But, it's worth a look on Redbox or Netflix. I don't think I will ever sit down to watch this one again. I will blissfully pretend only the first Sinister exists. The sequel is clearly an example of not leaving well enough alone. Hopefully, the box office results (which I hear are not good), will put an end to any future plans. Mr. Boogie defies explanation. Let it remain so.
The Dark Lord of the Sith says:
*** stars
Ratings Legend
Zero *= Don't waste your time. Pure dreck! Dreck is too good for this! Blind me please!
1 *= Fuggedaboutit!
2 *= Average, Mediocre, Nothing Special
3 *= Worth a look. Better than a poke in the eye.
4 *= Great. I'm doing my happy dance!
5 *= Pure eye candy. I have seen the top of the mountain, and it is good
Never saw the first...but might take a look.
ReplyDeleteThe first one is excellent.
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