Stir of Echoes: The Homecoming

During the invasion of Iraq, the National Guard Commander Ted Cogan (Rob Lowe) sees a van speeding up against his site without respecting the warning plates. He orders his men to fire, and later he discovers that in the van there was an Iraqi family. He tries to save a young girl from the fire, but the vehicle explodes and his group is attacked; he enters in coma severely wounded and his friend and neighbor dies. When Ted recovers, he returns home to meet his family, but he is increasingly haunted by ghosts of dead people, premonitions and guilty complex for the death of the innocent family. He seeks medical support but his financial situation does not allow him to pay for a treatment and the government denies helping him. However, one ghost gives the name of Jake Witzky (Zachary Bennett), who tells him to find out what the spirit demands from him. When his son Max (Ben Lewis) is severely wounded in a car crash where his girlfriend Sammi (Tatiana Maslany) and their friend Luke (Shawn Roberts) die, Ted discovers the wish of justice of the tormented soul and he tries to do the right thing.

The ghost story "Stir of Echoes: The Homecoming" is a surprisingly good and dramatic tale of prejudice and justice. Rob Lowe gives a solid performance in the role of a man that feels the effects of a senseless invasion, earning a medal but no financial or medical support in his homecoming, living with the remorse for a wrong order in a moment of stress in a foreign and hostile country. The bigotry of his neighbors upsets him until his final discovery of the despicable act of his son and his friends. This supernatural story is certainly polemic for many, but I liked it, specially the unexpected twist with the true reason for the spirit's revenge. My vote is seven.

Title (Brazil): "Ecos do Além 2" ("Echoes from Beyond 2")

The first Stir of Echoes is IMO the most underrated horror film ever. Had it not came out at the same time as The Sixth Sense maybe it would have done better, but sometimes the little known gems are the best. Heard about the sequel a while back ago, and was kinda excited. Disappointed when I heard it wasn't getting a theatrical release, but I have come to find out that these little know gems do get released STD.

Unfortunately, I wasn't feeling this movie. First of all, is it just me or did it seem very fast paced? I like fast paced, but not to fast that it feels like the movie is just an hour long or shorter. And the creepiness of the first movie was certainly missing here. And wow, what a downgrade music wise. From the classic Rolling Stones song "Paint it Black" (albeit it was a cover version, but I like any version of that song) to some rap song? I know that song kinda had to do with what was happening, but rap? Bleh! And the twist wasn't quite too shocking that it had me going "no way!"

And this just did not feel at all like a Stir of Echoes sequel at all to me. OK, we had Jake from the first movie all grown up. How long ago were the events of the first movie? Or are we still at war 20 or 30 years in the future (man I hope not)? And why no mention of his dad? But at least they brought back the OJ drinking.

Overall, it wasn't a bad movie, but many miles away from the underrated first.

STIR OF ECHOES: THE HOMECOMING is a surprisingly poor horror/thriller which can't hold a candle to the power of the Kevin Bacon original. STIR OF ECHOES was actually a pretty decent late '90s ghost flick that went hand in hand with THE SIXTH SENSE to revitalise the genre at the end of the millennium. This, on the other hand, is a poorly-directed piece of straight-to-DVD nonsense with virtually nothing to recommend it.

A wooden Rob Lowe (THE STAND) stars as an Iraqi war veteran who returns home after witnessing and being responsible for some violent actions in the Middle East. Before long he's haunted by visions of burning bodies and the like and he must get to the bottom of the mystery before it's too late. Unfortunately the mystery, as it transpires, is ridiculous stuff, as is the film's execution: dumb scare scenes, bad CGI, and awful direction from Ernie Barbarash (who has only mildly improved these days in directing Van Damme in the likes of POUND OF FLESH). Future starlet Tatiana Maslany plays in support, but the whole thing's a real mess.

US soldier returns home Iraq but is haunted and not just by the wartime chaos he encountered.

Writer director Ernie Barbarash delivers an above average straight to DVD cash-in follow up to the original Stir of Echoes which was a hit for Lionsgate Home Entertainment. The sets ups and jump scares are effective, even if somewhat familiar. The sound and Norman Orenstein's music cues becomes repetitive. Mitchell Lackie's editing along with the digital effects are a little distracting at times rather than enhancing. That's said, there's some effective FX makeup moments.

Rob Lowe as Ted does a solid job with the thin script which heavy handedly tackles PTSD and the horror of war as Barbarash's offering mimics the original. It ties to the first film with the inclusion of Jake Witzky even if his age is questionable. However, it may have fared better as a stand alone with a different title. While the cinematography is good it lacks the eerie quality and punchy twist that made the first one so effective.

Overall, like so many DTV sequels, it doesn't hold a candle to its predecessor, but it's worth watching for Lowe and some familiar cast faces.

Stir of Echoes 2: Homecoming (2007) is a movie I recently watched on Tubi. The storyline follows a soldier transitioning home from the war to a house filled with ghosts he brought back with him from the war as well as ghosts in the actual house. What could go wrong?

This movie is directed by Ernie Barbarash (Cube Zero) and stars Rob Lowe (The Outsiders), Marnie McPhail (Star Trek: First Encounter), Jason Mercury (Catalyst), Ben Lewis (Arrow), Tatiana Maslany (She-Hulk) and Katya Gardner (The X-Files).

The opening for this movie is very entertaining with a gruesome war scene; after that, the movie feels made for television. Maybe that's where all the budget went (and to Rob Lowe). The ghosts weren't as intense as they intended. The background music was a bit cliche and the depiction of certain characters was over the top.

Overall this is an awful sequel to a worthwhile Stir of Echoes. I would score this a 3/10 and recommend skipping it.