The Human Centipede 2 (Full Sequence)

Dir: Tom Six

2011

**

I wouldn't say I liked Tom Six's The Human Centipede (First Sequence) but there were elements about it that I thought were worth celebrating. In many respects, I'm more impressed with the sequel; The Human Centipede 2 (Full Sequence), although that certainly isn't a declaration of enjoyment. Much like the first film, the visuals are quite beautiful. This time round, Tom Six shoots in black and white. This is interesting as the original film is referenced as fiction and is in vivid colour and this film is the 'grey' reality. Full Sequence sees Martin Lomax (the rather odd and terrifying Laurence R. Harvey) act on fantasies born from his enjoyment of the original First Sequence. The original is colourful and clinical, the sequel is dark, grubby and takes the same subject and gives it a grim reality. Lomax is inspired to recreate the original Human Centipede but with twelve people instead of three and with no medical knowledge whatsoever. This is Tom Six's bold and unapologetic answer to all those raising the question of horror films and copy-cat killings. I admire him for that. Full Sequence is a fascinating exercise in metacinema which goes much further than merely self-referencing itself and breaking the 'fourth wall'. Tom Six isn't your average horror director. He lists La Grande Bouffe, The Idiots, Crash (1996), Salo, or the 120 Days of Sodom and Fitzcarraldo as his five favourite films of all time. This goes some way in telling you where he is coming from. Salo, or the 120 Days of Sodom is a brilliant and horrendous film that is meant to sicken but for very good reason. However, I'm not sure what the Human Centipede's purpose is. That said, what is any horror film's purpose? I'm not a big fan of censorship but half of me wants to say fair play to the BBFC for making Six cut 30 segments out of the finished film. This was due to the sexual content of the film in that the character of Lomax was seen to be sexually excited by the subject matter, in quite a graphic manner, which is probably going a step too far. Salo and Full Sequence have one thing in common however. Neither film needs to be watched a second time. In fact, I would say that this film is visually rich, quite cleverly written and has a villain who is up there with Freddy and Jason but is far more scary. It's is just far too unpleasant to enjoy. Truly great horror films leave far more to the imagination. It is a nasty little film. I'm sure Six intended it to be and in that sense the film is a huge success, it is just that Six is in the small minority who will actually enjoy watching it. Technically it's not a bad film, indeed, to simply call it a bad film would be unfair and lazy. It is a grotesque and sickening film but the story/writer/director is quite brilliant.