Alright, let’s do this. *Cracks Knuckles*
I absolutely hated The Last Exorcism Part II. I didn’t dislike it, I didn’t think it was awful, I absolutely, positively, 100% hated it. Honestly, aside from Ashley Bell’s performance, I didn’t think the original film was anything super special, and I certainly wasn’t wishing for a sequel, but what Ed Gass-Donnelly’s follow-up ended up being was absolutely insulting.
Everything that made Ashley Bell’s performance scream-worthy in the original, her body contorting and possessed nature, were completely removed this time around. Instead, the demon starts some kind of kinky romance with Bell’s character Nell, possessing her only to make us watch Bell stroke her own face or touch herself longingly, which actually is the demon doing so.
Hmm, sounds like a great idea, right? Let’s take away everything scary, and replace it with a demonic love story. Oh, and while were at it, why don’t we make everything terrifying happen off screen, let’s never really show the demon, and let’s just load the film with characters that will never matter! Yeah, that sounds perfect!
The Last Exorcism Part II is the quintessential despicable horror sequel, watering down original content in an attempt to win viewers over on name alone. For those of you smart enough to miss this one in theaters, I beg of you, avoid this trash at all costs. Don’t even bother with a free TV viewing – you’ll thank me later.
So, do you agree? Disagree? Did I miss your favorite 2013 horror film (so far)?
With so much horror left in 2013, I’m really excited to see how this list changes by the end of the year. Reviews are praising The Conjuring already, so maybe James Wan will make an appearance in my year-end wrap up? Hell, maybe he’ll even be there twice if Insidious Chapter 2 can be just as good as his original? Only time will tell, but until then, catch up on all the glorious horror you might have missed!
