No This Missed the Mark

Rating: 2/10 (11 September 2019)

Loved the first one and really looked forward to the second installment. From the beginning, it was so over the top. Why? What in the world happened?
Right into the first 10 minutes the storylines themselves took me out of the movie. Not over the top with horror but with character decisions. You'll see what I mean when you see it.
And from there it just didn't come together beautifully, like it did in the first installment for me.
Yes lots of CGI, which added to the over the top element. Felt more like just a bunch of cheap jump scares versus building up to key moments. It was missing so much magic of the first installment.
Even the actors, who are a great cast, felt slightly mistimed. There were many times where you knew they were trying to establish some connection because of their history together, but it came across as a delivered line rather than an emotional connection and believable.
It just didn't come together and close off what should have been an amazing ending with the storytelling and buy-in to the characters. The only thing they got right was the casting itself, as they do look like older versions of their younger selves. It just wasn't enough on balance with everything else. How disappointing!!! Two stars because it was such a let down.