Best horror sequel I've ever seen

Rating: 9/10 (29 November 2015)

This movie really exceeded my expectations as far as what sequels to horror movies are capable of. This movie tied in well with the first film, while also developing a really interesting plot of its own. With the full cast returning, Insidious: Chapter 2 works with the same qualities as the first one making it very similar to the same great experience as the first.
The great score from the first one is back, including the same title card that fans of the first will enjoy. This music builds the same great atmosphere that made the first so good. The music cues are used with impeccable timing as well.
I find the scares in this movie to also be really good, arguably as good as the first. Although many seem to disagree with me, I find this movie does a great job of building suspense and paying it off with a quality scare. Many of the scares are similar to the first so if you find the first film scary, you should find this one scary as well.
The acting in this movie, I think, is an improvement on the first one. The kid has definitely improved as an actor from the first and Lin Shaye, who didn't do much for me in the first film, really stepped up in this installment. Rose Byrne is good once again and Specs and Tucker make a much welcome reappearance. I would argue that Specs and Tuckers are even funnier in this installment but that's just my opinion. Patrick Wilson is awesome in this movie as the main character Josh. He really gives an astoundingly good performance that I think people often over look. Certainly no Jack Torrance, but still creepy nonetheless.
The plot in this movie is awesome and I would argue is even more interesting than the first. The way it all comes together in the end is awesome and it really kept me invested throughout the film what was going to happen next. Not that the first film didn't do that either because it definitely did, but I found this one a little more interesting.
The sets in this movie are great too, albeit a little cliché. The hospital scenes and the secret room scene in Parker Crane's house are both really cool.
The villain is my favorite part of the movie because I end up sort of feeling sorry for him in the end, due to the unfortunate situation he's in and the reason for his insanity. The evil mom is great too, she honestly was the scariest part of the movie by far for me. The ghosts of the brides are creepy too and they have a really scary scene in Dalton's bedroom that I really enjoyed.
But like the first one there are a few things that hold this movie back from being 10/10. The first is close to the climax, where the family is under attack. Dalton has to go to sleep to astral project to save his father from the evil mother. While the door to the basement is getting smashed by a psychopathic killer and everyone is screaming, he falls asleep almost instantly. That's just stupid, how does this kid fall asleep so fast? How does he fall asleep at all? But the worst part is that this plot device goes literally nowhere. When Dalton astral projects, he doesn't do anything. Elise is the one that helps Parker Crane's soul go free and Josh is the one to defeat the evil mother. So Dalton has no purpose in this scene, but why? This is uncharacteristically stupid in a movie that is otherwise so good. It's unfortunate because if they had just simply not included this in the movie, the movie wouldn't have suffered at all. So why would James Wan ruin what could have honestly been his Magnum Opus(in my opinion)? Who knows.
In conclusion, this movie might be better than the first. It's plot is interesting, the acting is great and it's just plain scary. If you liked the first one, go see this movie! You'll have no regrets, I guarantee it.