Some of the film is on the dull side, while the second half gets far too camp and histrionic, towards the end things get so over-the-top and senseless that one is laughing rather than feeling scared. It does lack tension and suspense and other scares are predictable and felt like throwing in as many horror elements as one can muster regardless of originality. Regrettably, 'Insidious: Chapter 2' has drawbacks. The threat looks good and provides some eeriness. Did care for the characters, they were not ones that bored or frustrated me. The acting, with the first film's cast returning, is good, with a particularly strong performance from Patrick Wilson. The first part is not as restrained as the first part of the first film, but when the film takes more time it is very effective. James Wan directs with ease and real engagement and there are some genuine shocks and some creepy scares and dread. Although a bit too loud in spots, the music is hauntingly atmospheric. It looks slick and stylish while having a spooky setting and suitably nightmarish lighting. First and foremost, 'Insidious' llooks great, especially for horror films released in recent years (too many of which have looked like they were made on the schlocky cheap). There are big drawbacks but there are good things here too. 'Insidious: Chapter 2' for me was a watchable second entry but comparing it to the first, it is not as good and a disappointment in comparison. So watched 'Insidious: Chapter 2' hoping it would be as good. It didn't blow me away but it was well made and genuinely scary. Although there are people who understandably dislike it, found myself enjoying the first 'Insidious'.
Also with an appreciation, if not quite undying love, for horror. Decided to finally watch them all, with the intent of reviewing the latest film as part of my quest to see as many 2018 films as possible and wanting to see how it compared with the previous outings.
It took me a while to watch 'Insidious' and its follow ups, with so much going on with my studies and commitments and with an ever growing watch and review list.