Review of Cabin Fever 2: Spring Fever (2009) by Noel B — 21 May 2010

Cabin Fever 2 is directed by TI West who directed the rather excellent House of The Devil. He has disowned the movie however as the producers didn't like his vision of an over the top gross out comedy horror so re-cut it and added new scenes. He now considers it an awful movie. It has also received a lot of criticism from fans of the original.

I have to say though that I never understood the love for the original; it had a real identity problem not knowing whether it was a serious movie, a comedy or even in one scene a weird David Lynch type movie. I thought it was alright but it irritated me and so did Eli Roth's unlikeable characters who considered everything 'gay'.

So I'm in a minority here who thinks that Cabin Fever 2 is no worse a movie than the first. Even with the producers trying to turn it into something else it's still clearly a gross out comedy horror. The characters are a lot more likeable than in the first too. There are even some rather long and charming animations at the start and end of the movie and a great soundtrack.

The problem is that nothing is ever resolved by the end. The plot is really as simple as a disease is spreading and gross things start happening to everyone. The strong character development is wasted a little as it doesn't lead anywhere much. I thought it was grosser and funnier than the first movie though.

So if you're a big fan of the original you will most likely be disappointed. If you thought the original was overrated and had some problems you might find you enjoy this one just as much if not more. I would give them both 3 stars out of 5. I just really hope a director's cut comes out someday.