Insidious: Chapter 2 (2013) – I have read so many bad reviews, but it didn’t stop me from going!
So I just came home from watching Insidious: Chapter 2, and I have to say I am glad that I have read so many bad reviews, because my expectations were actually at the lowest point, and guess what?! I ended up loving it! Most of the reviews talk about how the two characters Specs and Tucker get more airtime and give the shock moments a comedic twist which is annoying, but I can only recall one moment, which came out of nowhere, and made the whole movie theater laugh out loud. But besides that I think the movie was much darker and scarier than part one, and even though there wasn’t any graphic violence I thought it was very disturbing for a PG-13 movie. Insidious didn’t make me jump at all, but Chapter 2 had at least three unexpected scares waiting for me. This one guy next to me kept flinching, and nervously played something on his phone to distract himself, it was hilarious!
I love James Wan as a director because you can be sure if he makes a sequel, it will be deeply connected to the previous part(s). Just like in the Saw movies you will be surprised at all the things that happened in part one Insidious, and suddenly make sense because they are explained in Chapter two; on top of that Wan gave the whole storyline a great amount of depth and new twists. The camera work is still excellent, but why wouldn’t it be?! The acting performances are… well, still not Oscar worthy, but perfect for the storyline. The music and shock moments are more intense this time and definitely more evolved, and Mr. Wan even has a small part in the movie: As a desktop background! 😀
What I noticed was the fact that part two begins where part one left off at, but the children look older, about two years, which is the time frame between Insidious and Insidious: Chapter 2. 😉 Oh, well. The editing was a little weird this time as well: It felt like some scenes were just randomly put together, one moment it was day time, the next it was in the middle of the night. Also, the grandmother, a.k.a. Josh’s mother was up at 2:30 a.m. and walked around like it was early in the evening or morning. Weird. But since the rest of the movie was very satisfying I can overlook those things.
HOWEVER, There is one thing I couldn’t ignore, which actually messed up my experience a little: I felt like they pulled an ending out of their asses that could be used to make another sequel. But I would much rather see different movies with new ideas than the same old stories. So I hope there is no sequel coming.
This is not a review like I normally write, but I wanted to share my thoughts while they were still fresh! Insidious: Chapter 2 is It’s definitely worth a watch, and if you lower your expectations like I did, you might end liking it even more than the original. 😀
My Rating:
Insidious: 6.5/10
Insidious: Chapter 2: 7.5/10
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•Sϊmȯn•Sӓyz• 
Good review Simon. My problem with this movie was that it was less serious than the first, and in that regard, it generated more unintentional laughs and yucks.
See, that’s the thing I didn’t see. I mean you are not the only one who says that, and I actually I went to the movies having that in mind, but I found only one scene funny, when the little boy says “Go away or she makes me kill you!”… You remember the scene? Other than that… hmmm… I really don’t know. Maybe I didn’t get the comedic undertone?
Hey dude. Ok I am getting so much negative vibes on this movie…should I go and watch it? x
Here is the thing: If you go see it, don’t expect too much. Did you like the first part a lot? Because I noticed that many who didn’t like part one enjoyed the second one better. What I like about part two that it is definitely connected to the original. I got jumped heavily in one scene, and had two more mild scares coming. I would say give it a try, but go as late as possible, I went at 10 p.m, because that’s when the kids sleep already.
Its always the best to share the horror thoughts when they are fresh! 😀 I shall be going for this one, later 🙂
That’s true, I would have probably forgot about it by now! Yes, check it out. How is the editing system in India, I mean, do they usually cut scenes out for the movie theaters?
They cut so much; & the blurring + beep sounds also help! I was surprised that Hangover III & We’re the Millers could stop themselves from being very short movies 😀 Girl With the Dragon Tattoo was banned as it was “unsuitable for public viewing”; I miss that! I doubt if Evil Dead will release here with all the gore; Cabin in the Woods had missed out! Well, most of the English movies are rated as adult movies here any way 😀 I think that the comedy movies are getting a more lenient stance!
Wow… And what about DVDs or VOD, are they at least available uncut? Or do you have to watch them somewhere online?
Yes, the DVDs are available, but not the uncut versions. And not all of them, as the rest we have to find online. I won’t be surprised if they ban 300 part 2 from the theatres too 😀 The rising number of malls and multiplexes will change that for sure! For example, a few years back, Hangover & the Millers would not have found these theatres!
Well, that is something to look forward to! 😀 I hope they loosen the system a little, so you can at least get it on DVD.
I am still confident about watching it on the theatre though 🙂 After all, it is a movie which got such a big fan-base here 😀
Yes you should, since it is PG-13 here it has no gore sequences at all, just shock moments and the music is actually what makes the movie, so I hope you’ll enjoy. 😀
Then if they feel that they can find viewers here, the problem is solved 😀 The success of The Conjuring (which is still running) should help!
Hopefully!! *Fingers Crossed*
It’s often the way, when you read bad reviews, it lowers your expectations and you can end up actually enjoying the film. I haven’t seen Insidious 2 yet, but after reading your review I will probably go and see it, sounds quite good. Cheers!
Thank you 😀 I will probably try to lower my expectations from now on. I have very strong feeling towards Gravity, starring Sandra Bullock.