INSIDIOUS CHAPTER 2

Patrick Wilson

INSIDIOUS CHAPTER 2 (2013). Director: James Wan. 

This sequel to Insidious begins with a prologue showing an incident in the boyhood of Josh Lambert, who incurred the interest of a nasty dead spirit early on. Back in the present day we learn from the first that Josh (Patrick Wilson) has been possessed by the consciousness of a serial killer transvestite (of sorts) named Parker Crane. As in the first film, weird things begin to happen in the house owned by Josh's mother, Lorraine (Barbara Hershey), where Josh and his family are currently residing. Josh's wife, Renai (Rose Byrne), is freaking out, but "Josh" tells her to remain calm -- nothing is wrong. Eventually Lorraine seeks help from Carl (Steve Coulter), a psychic who was friends with the late Elise (Lin Shaye). Before long another trip into the hell-like dimension called the Further is in order to finally put this family straight again and return Josh to his body. 

Something's off: Wilson and Rose Byrne

Insidious: Chapter Two begins well enough but about halfway through it sort of falls apart, with clumsy scare tactics, some inconsistencies, and a lot of confusion (not helped by the way time is apparently fluid in the story). The movie becomes too convoluted and tedious and despite its creepiness, it isn't especially scary. There are some good things in the picture, however, such as the art direction for Lorraine's house, with its old-fashioned furniture and an atmosphere that is both cluttered and claustrophobic, perfect for this movie. The acting is sufficient, although Danielle Bisutti has been directed to over-act outrageously as Parker's crazy mother, giving the film a camp veneer that may not have been the intention of the filmmakers.

Verdict: Will have to think about watching chapter three and four of this series. **1/4.    

INSIDIOUS

Rose Byrne and Patrick Wilson

INSIDIOUS (2010). Director: James Wan. 

Josh (Patrick Wilson) and Renai Lambert (Rose Byrne) seem to have perfect lives when one of their children, Dalton (Ty Simpkins), falls unconscious and doesn't wake up. It is not a normal coma, but medial science is at a loss to explain it. The couple are resigned to keeping Dalton safe in bed at home, but strange things and unearthly visitors further disturb their serenity. Even moving into a different house doesn't help, so Renai's mother, Lorraine (Barbara Hershey), brings them a psychic named Elise (Lin Shaye). Elise tells them that Dalton's astral body is lost in a dangerous dimension called "The Further" and that Josh has to go in and get the boy out before his body is inhabited by something ... horrible. 

Barbara Hershey

Insidious is an effective horror film that is perhaps more creepy than scary, but it is absorbing and builds up suspense nicely. The film has been overpraised in certain quarters, as the Poltergeist-inspired picture is not exactly strikingly original in either plot or images, but as an imitation it is more than okay. Screenwriter Leigh Whannell plays one of the psychic investigators. The film was popular enough to engender three sequels. Patrick Wilson appeared in Phantom of the Opera as well as in Wan's Aquaman. Wan also directed Dead Silence.

Verdict: Achieves the dubious distinction of adding menace to Tiny Tim's rendition of Tiptoe Through the Tulips! ***.