How Does It Compare to the First?

Rating: 6/10 (14 January 2014)

The Lambert Family moves to a new house to leave behind their terrifying experience with ghosts in the first house, only to learn that the spirits are not done with them and the mystery that connects them to the spirit world so strongly has not yet been solved.
The original Insidious (2010) is one of the scariest films I've ever seen and I highly recommend it. It had cool old-school scares and some creepy violin music, making it a sort of homage to old ghost films. How did the sequel compare?
In a lot of ways, Insidious: Chapter 2 resembles Kubrick's masterpiece The Shining. The plots have very similar features (and once you watch this film, you'll know what I'm talking about), and the cinematography in Insidious: Chapter 2 is very similar to The Shining, with all of their tracking shots, it just seems like The Shining with a twist.
But I'm not saying this isn't a fun film. I actually enjoyed myself at this one and I think you are going to enjoy yourself at this one if you're a fan of the original because Chapter 2 definitely panders to the fans. The twist, especially, panders to people having previously viewed Insidious. I don't think it's as easy to enjoy yourself at this having not already seen Insidious, because most of the film relies on you having information based on what happened in the first film.
The story in Insidious: Chapter 2 is pretty ridiculous but the actors really make it work, especially Patrick Wilson. He's a great actor and has given solid performances in everything I've seen him in. Rose Byrne gives an equally great performance as the mom, the sort of Shelley DuVall like character.
The script was where I had most of my problems. There are sometimes one- liners by these two ghost-hunter guys that are trying to be funny but only just take you out of the moment and wrecked all the suspense previously building up. There were clichéd and cheesy moments but for the most part, they didn't take you out of the story.
Insidious: Chapter 2 is a fun film to experience and I did enjoy myself. The performances were stellar and James Wan's reliance on old-school scares hasn't failed him so far. I'd recommend it if you're a fan of the original.
I give Insidious: Chapter 2 a B-.
Insidious: Chapter 2 is rated PG-13 for intense sequences of terror and violence, and thematic elements
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