Review of V/H/S/2 (2013) by Lawrence G — 08 Jul 2013

VHS 2 is......largely an underwhelming movie I'm very sad to say. My biggest complaint about this film is while the first film while some of the segments were lesser then others it still left me feeling scared the whole way through due to it's pacing, however I'm sad to report this film did not. Like I said I loved the first film when it came out it was something I hadn't seen and while it wasn't the most original horror film it still really scarred and disturbed me especially with it's gory sequences as well as it's incredible use of atmosphere and timing.

So what's this film about? This film much like VHS is about the discovery of a mysterious collection of VHS tapes in a room full of TVs and the horrendous stories on the tapes. In the last film the overarching story of the people viewing the tapes was more interesting although I found these viewers more likeable however while the first film gave me more dread about what was going to happen to our main characters down to the ending of the sequel just left me feeling......meh. I don't know what it was maybe because there were just less main people in this one or maybe I'm just more of a gore hound in my horror movies as well as a fan of atmospheric tension.

So enough of my wining and complaining, what's actually good and awesome about this movie? Well while the first mini film I thought was pretty boring and kind of a rip off of another horror film the second film was REALLY imaginative and interesting (although I think there could have been ALOT more done with the concept of this with a bigger budget then was done here) I also REALLY dug the hell out of the third segment directed by the director of The Raid (another amazing film) this is the segment I REALLY wanted to see both from this director as well as a VHS anthology horror film.

However while the final segment had it's moments (and while I adore it's director/writer's first frat house/inebriated B movie classic Hobo With A Shotgun) I never truly was sold on the overall story of this segment. HOWEVER if you can get it on the cheap or see the Safe Haven segment I definitely recommend it in and of it's self although I do respect most of these film makers and think they're talented though wish them well on their future endeavors.