THE DESCENT PART 2

Directed by Jon Harris
Written by J Blakeson, James McCarthy & James Watkins
Cinematography by Sam McCurdy
Music by David Julyan
Cast: Shauna Macdonald, Natalie Jackson Mendoza, Krysten Cummings, Anna Skellern, Gavan O'Herlihy & Douglas Hodge

2009/94 mins/Color/Dolby Digital 5.1
2.35:1 anamorphic/English/UK/NTSC Region 1

Review from the Lionsgate DVD

After what seems like the impossible, Sarah Carter (Macdonald) actually emerges alone from the Appalachian cave system as the sole survivor of the events that took place in THE DESCENT. Bloodied, confused ands speechless, she is questioned by the local sheriff. She is forced back to the subterranean depths to help locate her five missing companions. As they go deeper into the caves, Sarah slowly has flashbacks of the horror that happened there. Soon enough they cross path with the ruthless killing Crawlers.

While horror fans and critics praised Neil Marshall’s original THE DESCENT, I simply can't say the same for this sequel. Problems lies with the fact that if you (and you should) take the original downbeat ending at the true ending then this sequel would not be possible. In that ending, Sarah is still and remains in the depth of the cave. For its North American release, Lionsgate decided to change all that and have the film finish earlier, that way Sarah actually managed to escape.

Secondly, as ridiculous as it might sound I don't see how the authorities would force her to go back in there. I understand that like in James Cameroun's ALIENS, it’s only to set up the sequel but still. Finally, my main problem with this sequel is that we've already been there as a viewer. We've already experience the claustrophobic fear and the surprise of seeing the Crawlers for the first time. Now with this unnecessary sequel, there is nothing new hence why this film simply doesn't work as good as the first one.

One thing though, unlike most I believe that the twist ending actually works and kind of make sense. There's a whole purpose as to why this is happening (then just more sequels). It is bleak and almost secures a third film.

The film is presented in its original 2.35:1 aspect ratio. The image looks great with rich blacks and a nice saturation. The English Dolby Digital 5.1 is loud and crisp taking us even more into the depth of the cave. English subtitles are also available.

There is an interesting commentary track with director Jon Harris and actors Shauna Macdonald, Krysten Cummings and Anna Skellern. It sure sound like they had a lot of fun making this sequel as they all go into the details of the film. We get a bunch of deleted scenes and for once they are actually worth watching. A dream sequence in the hospital would have made the film a little more impact during its beginning. There is also a storyboard gallery of various sequences in the film. 'Making of The Descent: Part 2: Deeper and Darker' is an interesting 26 minutes featurette on the making of THE DESCENT PART 2. Cast and crew are interviewed.

The film is separated in 18 chapters. The disc features some neat animated menus come in a keep case with no booklet or inlay card.

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Review by Kim Dubuisson. All Right Reserved. 2010. ©

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