| Reviews & Columns |
|
Reviews DVD TV on DVD Blu-ray 4K UHD International DVDs In Theaters Reviews by Studio Video Games Features Collector Series DVDs Easter Egg Database Interviews DVD Talk Radio Feature Articles Columns Anime Talk DVD Savant Horror DVDs The M.O.D. Squad Art House HD Talk Silent DVD
|
 DVD Talk Forum |
|
|
| Resources |
|
DVD Price Search Customer Service #'s RCE Info Links |
|
Columns
  
 
|
|
|
Pact II, The
IFC Films // Unrated // October 10, 2014 // Region 0
List Price: $9.99 [Buy now and save at Amazon]
In 2012, Nicholas McCarthy's The Pact went under the radar of most mainstream horror viewers. However, those within the community quickly spread word about this horror mystery that provided an intriguing twist on the supernatural sub-genre. While not revolutionary, this film managed to incorporate some rather creepy elements into a story about a haunting that proves to be about more than it would appear. Nonetheless, a sequel was called for after the first had found its audience. However, The Pact II is written and directed by Dallas Richard Hallam and Patrick Horvath. They apply their own style to this world, as they strive to achieve a similar reaction to that of its predecessor. Does it manage to deliver the same level of chills and thrills?
A young woman named June Abbott (Camilla Luddington) works to clean crime scenes, while working on illustrations when she has free time. After her police officer boyfriend (Scott Michael Foster) starts working on a new case, June begins to have nightmares about the Judas Killer (Mark Steger). She starts to question what these nightmares mean, and if the new murders have anything to do with the infamous killer. She reaches out to Annie (Caity Lotz) for help, hoping her experiences with the Judas Killer can aid her in getting to the bottom of these visions.
Fortunately, Hallam and Horvath follow McCarthy's original film, rather than completely running with their own ideas, allowing the transition from one perspective to the next to feel much more organic. Therefore, it should be known that if you're going to see The Pact II, then you need to see its predecessor first. While the film plays a little bit of catch-up, the film expects you to know what happened in the first picture. In fact, it further explores a few plot points that were left unexplained, as we continue to learn more about the Judas Killer, his victims, and what they left behind. While not unheard of, this is a rather smart direction to take the story in, as it feels like a genuine sequel, and not a direct-to-video rip-off. However, June and her boyfriend, Officer Meyer, simply isn't quite as easy to follow as Annie was. Even though the picture clearly wants us to sympathize with the protagonists, they feel so heavily one-dimension, that it becomes difficult to do so.
The Pact introduced elements of horror, as well as mystery. We were tasked with placing the pieces in order to see how it fits together to see a larger picture, making for a rather substantial twist that pulled everything together. The sequel tries to play some of the exact same tricks on its audience. Even many of the scares are exactly the same, making for an utterly predictable venture, as it tries to shock us with twists that have become overdone. Some of the scares remain effective, but others resort to cheaper tactics to gain some thrills. The Pact II has one scene in particular that not only perfectly fits into the picture's tone, but is sure to make the hair on the back of your neck stand up. It's just a shame that there couldn't be more of these sequences, otherwise this could have been a massively successful return to the mysterious supernatural.
Once we reach the third act, everything is explained. Very little of it is left to our imagination, as we're spoon fed every ounce of what has been going on this entire time, with flashbacks and all. Unfortunately, it just doesn't work as well the second time around. It simply feels as if Hallam and Horvath tacked this ending on and sprinkled some clues throughout the running time. Rather than being shocking, The Pact II takes the easy way out by utilizing a tired cliché as if it's new material. It's such a disappointment after experiencing the well-executed plot twist at the end of McCarthy's picture. Once the credits start rolling, it doesn't take very long to start forgetting about it. The film should be striving to keep us sleeping with the lights on, but it doesn't ultimately leave much of an impact.
Even if the new characters aren't particularly sympathetic, Camilla Luddington does a good job in the role of June Abbott. This role could have become incredibly irritating, but she manages to make a bit more out of the character. Even though it's nice to see Caity Lotz back as Annie, it largely feels like she's phoning it in for the paycheck. The same can be said about Haley Hudson, who briefly returns as Stevie. Mark Steger continues to creep us out in the role of the Judas Killer. His body language perfectly captures this serial killer, as he most certainly makes us fear this antagonist.
Despite the fact that there aren't many genuine scares to speak of, writer/directors Dallas Richard Hallam and Patrick Horvath manage to create a worthwhile atmosphere. The film is largely coated with a gritty yellowish color palette that utilizes the darkness of the shadows rather well. The Pact II has a greater sense of style and atmosphere than many Hollywood horror flicks, as it captures June's nightmarish encounters.
This is a sequel with an acceptable plot, although it isn't always sure where to go next. The balance between the supernatural and the mystery elements is offset by the need to incorporate an utterly ridiculous plot twist that simply doesn't work. Even though the film boasts only one creepy scene amidst repetitive scares, the atmosphere is rather effective. If the scares were better, this could have been a wonderfully eerie picture. Although the McCarthy's original isn't a horror masterpiece, it sticks in our minds far longer than the sequel. Nevertheless, it's worth a watch for fans of the first one. The Pact II is a repetitive venture with little bite. Rent it.
The Pact II is currently on VOD and will be in theaters on October 10, 2014.
|
| Popular Reviews |
| Sponsored Links |
|
|
| Sponsored Links |
|
|
| Release List | Reviews | Shop | Newsletter | Forum | DVD Giveaways | Blu-Ray | Advertise |
|
Copyright 2024 DVDTalk.com All Rights Reserved. Legal Info, Privacy Policy, Terms of Use,
Manage Preferences,
Your Privacy Choices 
| |||||||