Plot is pretty simple. Riley is going with his friends to his family cabin in a remote area for Christmas. This seems to be his first reunion with his mom since the events of the first movie that happened two years ago. While there, a killer is making preparations to attack Riley and his friends yet again.
There are some really strong positives for the movie, but also some pretty big negatives.
Positives:
Hayden Newman once again gets horror actors from the 80s to bolster his film. This time he has three actors from the Nightmare on Elm Street franchise.
The film looks really good, with a clear, sharp picture, and decent panning shots throughout. Cinematography is also good for a low budget film.
The special effects are also really good for a low budget film. Deaths are sufficiently bloody, and the practical effects are impressive. Well done, in my opinion.
Lisa Wilcox and Mark Patton do stand out in the film, and the director did well in using their talents. Stokes, Hassel, and Redmond are also pretty good in their roles. The director does give each actor a moment to shine, which helps with some character development.
The plot overall is decent for a horror film, and motivations make more sense than the first one.
The end credits song is actually pretty catchy. Fire Tiger sang a song that is very 80s esque, and I liked it. I wish more of their work had been used.
Negatives:
The script is fairly weak. Some dialogue is stilted and exposition is given when it's not really needed in some parts, while lacking in others.
Danny Hassel is severely underutilized in this film. Where he does act, it's good and you start seeing the development he could have gotten with a stronger script.
Hayden's character Riley is not incredibly likeable, and most of that is due to the fits of rage he has throughout the film. His tantrums make you almost cheer for the killer rather than sympathize.
Hayden's performance is also hurt by the script. There are times when he shines, and times when he is not great, and most of that is due to the dialogue he gave himself. Since his character is shouldering the bulk of the movie, it does hurt the film.
It's a low budget film, so sound quality wavers. It is strong when the camera is facing the character, but wavers when dialogue comes from someone away from it. Editing also is choppy in several areas.
The score was not as strong overall as the first film. I thought the first film's score from Hodge was better for a horror film than the reorchestrated Christmas music he used in this one.
I would give this film a 5.4 out of 10, which rounds down to a 5 in IMDB.