Review of V/H/S/2 (2013) by Nigel M — 31 May 2014

VHS2, overall is better than the first film, but doesn't have individual films that are better than the first (Amateur Night and10/31/98 in VHS1 are the strongest in the series so far) The set up for VHS2 is set up very similar to the original with framing element of robbers finding tapes and watching them one-by-one. I still think this is an insanely clever way to introduce the movie and allows it to be a franchise that could release new films every year.

There is 4 films in VHS2, as compared to 5 in the first:

Review Points:

Tape:1 (Eyeball).

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- Pretty unique idea for the camera with mechanical eye.

- Gratuitous sex scene.

- Uses the same tricks from movies like Insidious and Paranormal Activity. All the scares are from the main character hearing a noise, turning his back, then then suddenly seeing a ghost/demon/monster when he turns back around. You know exactly what's going to happen. Don't get me wrong, the sharp cuts and such are always make you jump, but they feel cheap.

- Strange protagonist. He plays a every-guy "dude" living in a mansion? He reminds me a lot of the husband from Paranormal Activity 1: he's half-joking and half-scared at what's going on. I laughed when he locked himself in the bathroom (with the monster/ghost/demon on the other side) and said "Hey. Um. I'm good. You can go now. Alright?".

Tape: 2 (Zombies).

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- Probably the best of the film. You.

Tape: 3 (Cult).

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- This.

Tape: 4 (Aliens).

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- I hated the dialogue. So much unneeded, improvised cussing to make up for no script. It's gross and makes you dislike every character from the get-go.

- I don't know why they thought attaching the camera to the dog's head was a good idea. It's so fake, it's distracting.

- SO MUCH camera shaking, flashes, video distortions, and loud booms. It's the first time I've ever watched a found-footage movie and felt nauseated.(Cloverfield is a close second) I.