V/H/S/2
Dir: Adam Wingard, Eduardo Sánchez, Simon Barrett, Gregg Hale, Gareth Evans, Timo Tjahjanto, Jason Eisener
2013
***
Although I'm giving V/H/S/2 the same 3 out of 5 stars I gave the original, it is a big improvement on its predecessor. The film that binds the shorts (Tape 49) still isn't great but it's a tiny bit better than the original. Phase I Clinical Trial was a strange first choice film as it really felt more like filler rather than the film to get you going. It was okay, colourful and interesting but the Found Footage cliches were there from the beginning and the idea seemed to be born from the idea of the brief, rather because it was a good idea and directed with restraint rather than embracing the possibilities. A Ride in the Park was a great idea, seeing the world from a Zombie's point of view (thanks to a helmet-cam they were wearing post-Zombie) is just the sort of idea this franchise is for and where its strength lies. Safe Haven is wonderfully dark, the way it is filmed is unfortunately the worst of all the movies but the idea is truly terrifying, although the less said about the last scene the better (Bogey and budget problems?). Slumber Party Alien Abduction is a great film to end on. The idea is great and very effective. It reminded me of a Spielberg film but with balls. I think the shaky camera footage was a little too shaky in places but the speed of the action was a welcome change of pace. It's a great franchise that is full of possibilities. It's not perfect just yet but I think it could be. The new sub-genre in horror to get excited about for sure.