‘V/H/S/2’ Now Ready For Playback
Doctor:
You might see some glitches…
A horror
anthology is one of the easiest types of films to see as hit or miss. Not
only can some of the segments either be good, bad, or just okay, but the film
itself can drag depending on how many short films we are watching and whether
or not the connective tissue between each film (if there is any) is effective.
V/H/S suffered from this issue. Some of the segments were better
than others; one segment was straight up terrible, in my eyes; and I really
disliked the wraparound material to keep it connected in some fashion.
What is great about V/H/S 2 is how it manages to correct most of these
issues. It is a leaner and meaner experience. I had less issue with
the wraparounds, I enjoyed all the segments, the film does not drag, and the
creativity is even more prevalent throughout. There may still be
curiosity regarding why digital camera footage has been put onto V/H/S tapes,
but the film is an effective horror experience overall.
I do not
want to delve too far into what the various segments are about, but I’ll
provide a vague setup for each. Once again, the film has a framing device
set around some individuals arriving at a location and finding a room full of
non-specific V/H/S tapes. These tapes are played, but in between we find
out more about what is going on in this original location. There are only
four tapes this time. One is a ghost story, one involves zombies, another
involves ghosts, and the last features aliens. Each segment is portrayed
in the style of a ‘found footage’ film captured by digital cameras, GoPros, and
more, but don’t bother questioning how this footage made its way to some random
house, on a V/H/S tape.
The most
admirable aspect about the first V/H/S was the creativity on
display. The idea of having an anthology film consisting of found footage
films was an interesting take on the format and it led to many creative people
coming up with neat ideas for short films (for the most part) and developing
ways to make it work. Some were more effects-heavy than others, but they
all had a signature stamp on them by the filmmakers involved. V/H/S/2
continues that trend, allowing directors Simon Barrett, Jason Eisener (Hobo
with a Shotgun), Gareth Evans (The Raid), Gregg Hale, Eduardo
Sanchez (The Blair Witch Project), Timo Tjahjanto, and Adam Wingard (You’re
Next) to come up with really cool ideas and ways to film them.
Of these
directors, I would say Evans and Tjahjanto’s short is easily the best. It
involves a deadly cult, is a bit of a slow burn that builds up its creepiness,
and then lets all sorts of mayhem loose. It is the longest of the
segments, but incredibly effective and a fascinating display of creative
filmmaking. Not to sell short how creative the other segments were
though, as I found a lot to enjoy throughout. The take on a zombie film
was very interesting to me, as it plays up a clever reversal on that sort of
scenario. The ghost story may be the weakest of the four, but I still
admired certain visual tricks employed to make it work. Really, all of
the work done to make these segments is a great display of small budgets being
handled incredibly well.
Another
aspect that V/H/S 2 really got right was the tone and how to accept what
we were watching. The first film gives you a really nasty portrayal of
people that we have to follow for much of the film, as the wraparound segments
introduce you to really despicable people and then the first segment does
little to wash that taste out of your mouth, given how much the characters seem
like total jerks. That theme carries out almost entirely throughout that
film, with little in the way of redeeming value, as far as the characters are
concerned. V/H/S 2 does a much better job at having you not hate
these people that you are watching, with many cases providing good arguments
for you wanting to see them survive the ordeal. The last segment,
especially, provides you with a certain point of view that practically had me
in tears (you’ll know why when you see it).
For a
series that could seemingly go on for a long time, V/H/S 2 is a step in
the right direction. The film is tighter paced, the segments are more
effective (I haven’t emphasized enough that I was actually unnerved a few
times, while watching the film), and the creativity continues to be a
highlight. The found footage format may continue to throw some people off
and I do not care a whole lot about the connective tissue in between segments,
but I was happy to receive a very solid horror experience.
Girl:
It looks like he’s been bit by something…
Aaron
is a writer/reviewer for WhySoBlu.com.
Follow him on Twitter @AaronsPS3.
He also co-hosts a podcast, Out Now with Aaron and Abe, available via iTunes or at HHWLOD.com.
He also co-hosts a podcast, Out Now with Aaron and Abe, available via iTunes or at HHWLOD.com.
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