Demons 2

Here is the long awaited review of Demons 2 -(1986)!

Okay, so it was not so long awaited but I did promise a review last week, so here it is. This is a terrible movie. Not terrifying mind you, just terrible. Dario Argento fans will want to see this one anyway if for no other reason that to see Bobby Rhodes (the wise cracking pimp form the first film) return to spout off more nonsense as a gym instructor turned survivor mob leader.

This time around the setting is an exclusive high security apartment building. The demon invasion takes place this time as a result of a televison show about demons. Fairly good special effects (brought to you by returning master Sergio Stivaletti) bring a demon out of the t.v. to possess Sally, a 20 something birthday brat. A few growls and transformations later and the horror is running rampant. Suddenly the building is locked down. A supposed state of the art facility with automatic locks, bullet proof windows and thick steeled garage door make for an inescapable death trap.

Now in regards to sequels, I must say that Argento put a little thought into how to follow his original story, a television invasion instead of a movie screen, a locked apartment building instead of a locked theatre, and only a few actors return in completely different roles. A much lighter toned movie, Demons 2 should not be viewed without an understanding that it probably funnier than it was meant to be. There is even a horrible little demon which screaches very loud and makes you think "Hmm, I am not scared as much as I am annoyed by this demon muppet!"

There is plenty of gore which helps to make it worth wasting about 90 minutes especially when you get to see a dog turned demon attack. *L* Very chessy. But as a fan of both horror and Argento, it was worth watching this kind of decent idea from the Italian king of horror, even though it felt rushed. Which makes a lot of sense when you consider that this sequel was release one year after the first. The ending was not as predictable as you might think, so maybe it can be appreciated by the average horror movie watcher afterall. The soundtrack this time around leans heavy on punk with selections from The Smiths, The Cult, Peter Murphy & Dead Can Dance.

• Today's Cure song is Numb from the Wild Mood Swings CD-(1996) This is a very melancholic tune about drug abuse. Dark and gut wrenching if you have any experience with abuse or know of anyone who has been through such.

"Yeah everything is too unfair, everything too much to bear, he doesn't have the strength left for the fight."

CJ