Night of the Demons 2 Review

Disclaimer: Contains spoilers!

Plot Summary: Years after the events of the previous film, a group of kids from a Catholic boarding school decide to spice up their Halloween at Hull House.

Review: You would think a direct to video sequel to a forgettable '80s film made in the early '90s would surely be beyond stupid, right? Well, surprisingly the second installment is significantly better than the first "Night of the Demons" in almost every regard. We're talking improved visual effects, better story, more interesting characters with even better looking chicks, and an all around more entertaining film. On the other hand, there are certain disadvantages that stop this film from genuinely surpassing the original when it really should have with ease. For one, that charm from the original is missing and replaced by a comical approach to the situations. I know they were trying to have fun with the material, but what made the original so amusing was that the actors were trying to play it straight as if the material was scary. I do like the change in this entry, but it's hard to compare the feeling I have when watching the two. The other major flaw is that you do not feel it is Halloween nor does the imagery stress that it's Halloween; this sort of defeats the purpose of the film itself. Only one character is ever dressed up and one loser wears a mask. Save for a few decorations and mentioning that it was Halloween, like once, that's about all there is to the Halloween plot elements. This is what I was talking about in the last review about how this franchise does not acknowledge the holiday enough when it's supposedly pivotal to the story.

The film opens with a plot hole or continuity error depending on your outlook since it's not Halloween yet and Angela, possessed by a demon(s), is killing people. As I mentioned, you'd never guess it was Halloween by the background, and even when you realize it is the day, it feels so tacked on as if they forgot that was the original premise for why the demons can emerge from hell. Also, as you've probably guessed at this point, Angela is sort of the mascot of this franchise since I guess any horror series must have one. This resurrection aspect is somewhat explained by one of the characters as they tell us that all the bodies were recovered from the first film except Angela who was supposedly taken to hell to, I guess, become permanently possessed by a demon(s)? Sure, whatever. I still feel as though Suzanne would make more sense as the main antagonist since she was the first possessed and her beloved lipstick plays a crucial role in the story here. Anyway, this Catholic boarding school is cliched, but they find a way to make things interesting by introducing a lot of clever and original characters. Everyone starts off kind of lame, but once the story gets rolling you hear some witty dialogue and amusing reactions to the events as they unfold. I especially liked Perry trying to be a wannabe demon-fighter with holy water guns and water balloons and the main nun, Sister Gloria, using a ruler like a sword and her rosary like "nunchucks." But besides these two badasses, the main Priest delivers some awesome lines, and most characters have a moment to shine with various smarmy remarks. About half of the film is dedicated to displaying the characters in all their glory and then the other half focuses on Angela's sister, nicknamed Mouse, whom Angela wants as a pure, virgin sacrifice. When the main characters are kicked out of their Halloween party, they decide to throw one of their own at Hull House to pretty much screw with Mouse in the most fucked up of ways. Unfortunately for them, after their gag ends, one idiot decides to bring back Suzanne's lipstick to the boarding school which allows Angela to wreak havoc there. After all manner of zany antics, they return to Hull House to rescue a captured Mouse, and the remaining characters fight the demons until eventually kicking Angela's ass momentarily. Just when you think things are over, Angela emerges as a giant, demonic snake which actually looks pretty good. After a quick fight, they manage to stall until sunup and the light, in the shape of a cross, burns into Angela destroying her for good...at least until the next movie. There are quite a few survivors as well which is somewhat atypical but welcomed since some of the hotties didn't need to die.

For the most part, this was a highly successful sequel--taking the material they had to work with and amping everything up the second time around. The effects alone, involving the gore and demons, were a vast improvement, and I was shocked how decent the snake-Angela turned out. I should note though that they kept that stupid demon-voice from the first one which is really pitiful. The characters are great, and, even when someone is a douchebag or bitch, they are still amusing and deliver funny lines with such conviction you can't help but like them. It was as if they were trying to invoke a bit of "The Lost Boys" into the original's plot which is fine with me, because they made it work somehow. But as fun and amusing as this film was, and I truly wanted to rate it higher, it is simply missing a certain oomph that the first film provided that puts the two on the same level rather than this readily surpassing the first movie. I guess I'm mostly disappointed that the Halloween element is virtually nonexistent when it should have been a central theme. Sure, the '80s charm missing is one thing, which the '90s had their own tone to rival it, but not taking full advantage of the Halloween aspect was a waste and the tacked on nature to the presentation only exasperated my disappointment. If you liked the first movie you will not be disappointed, since this is the superior film, but realize how inconsequential Halloween is to the plot.

Notable Moment: When Kurt is playing basketball with his own head and dribbling with it. It's such a bizarre idea, but it works, is highly amusing, and demonstrates the degree of imagination that went into this film.

Final Rating: 6/10