The Woman in Black 2: Angel of Death Review

RYAN: A horror film really doesn’t need to be a blockbuster to warrant a sequel and while I liked the first one, which opened in 2012 and made just over $50 million at the box office, I thought the story had pretty much resolved itself.  Not that you need an excuse to resurrect a monster, right?

CAROLINE: I’m not into scary movies but I know you enjoy them when they work and I remember you liked the first The Woman in Black.  But that also starred Daniel Radcliffe who’s not in this one, correct?

RYAN: Correct.  This film picked up 40 years later and deals with the same mythology as set up in the first film and takes us back to the same location outside of London.  There’s good British appeal in these movies and this one has some strong points but it’s not as good as the last one  It’s not bad, but just not as good.

CAROLINE: Well what did you like about it?

RYAN: The art direction is great.  It’s moody and well crafted in all of the costumes and props and settings.  They completely envelope you in it.  Everything is just a little off and creepy. Then you throw in a terrific horror movie score and you feel uneasy the whole time.  All of those things work well.  I jumped a bunch of times but never really out of fear or release of tension… it was always just very manipulative editing.  It’s effective for sure but I think that’s such a lazy way to get scares in a horror movie.

CAROLINE: I hear you.  How’s the cast?

RYAN: Fantastic.  Helen McCrory was Narcissa Malfoy in the Harry Potter movies and I love her in this film.  She’s perfectly cast as the headmistress.  And then I love Jeremy Irvine, from Spielberg’s War Horse.  He’s growing up so nicely and he’s super talented.  I like seeing him on screen.

CAROLINE: I remember them.  I also liked Helen as Draco’s mom.

RYAN: It’s shot and edited well.  It’s only 98 minutes but I wanted a bit more of a fright during it.  There were a couple times it slowed down and the suspense starts to wane.

CAROLINE: Who’s the leading actress in this?

RYAN: Phoebe Fox.  SHe’s relatviely unknown, having mostly done TV.  But I think she could be another breakout British star.  She’s very good.  There’s something sort of Rachel Weisz about her.  They could be sisters.  They’re not, but could be.

CAROLINE: Good to know. Sorry it wasn’t as good as the first.

RYAN: It’s still a good haunted house movie and she’s a decent enough monster.  It’s just a bit of a new setting to tell the same story whereas it was fresh in the first installment.  I like the actors and it’s eerie.  And if you catch it, there’s even a good message midway through about overcoming fears but it’s really tossed aside.  I’d say rent the see one and then wait to rent this one as well.

Thanks For Viewing The The Woman in Black 2: Angel of Death Review