Mirrors 2

"Mirrors 2" isn't exactly in the same league as its predecessor. Unlike the Kiefer Sutherland story, there's more or less no suspense. Not because its predictable (which it isn't), but simply because it's a sequel. Actually, this isn't a sequel. It's a rehash of the first one, except there's no mystery this time. I found this "sequel" fairly enjoyable, and I recommend to anyone not expecting too much out of it. Compared to the previous story, this one is a pale imitation, which is easy to see why it went straight to DVD. A worthy rental, but it's not worth spending 20 some dollars on.

**1/2 out of ****

I'm JUST done watching this film and I'm actually infuriated by a review earlier that said this movie's got all the spooks, scares, etc that you'd expect from a horror film and that its even better than the first one.

This was a disaster, with pretty bad acting coupled with an unoriginal and pointless plot which made this an excruciating one hour or so to watch. Nick Stahl seems to be stepping down the ladder by doing a role in such a poor script.

The first part was miles better although not a great film either. So if you have absolutely nothing in the world you could do instead, including picking your nose, watch it. Actually no, not even then.

"Mirrors 2" is pretty okay as a stand-alone feature, but it pales in comparison with Alexandre Aja's first film (which on its term was a re-make of an Asain film). This time, the film isn't exactly what the first one was about. Instead they turned it into a 'vengeful ghost' story. Not bad, really, but pretty standard stuff. Nevertheless, we get a couple of bloody death scenes, a bit of nice atmosphere, a dash of mystery (which isn't too hard to figure out) and some okay performances (though no Oscar worthy material, naturally). The over-all end result is just about decent enough. You could do a lot worse with other stuff that's being cranked out on DVD nowadays, especially when it comes to (loose) sequels. Teaming up "Mirrors 2" as a double bill with something like "White Noise 2: The Light" wouldn't be a bad way to spend a straight-to-DVD horror sequel night with your girlfriend.

Mystery/metaphysical horror film. It is an independent story from the first and unfortunately does not give clear explanations regarding the ending of the first movie. The main element, however, remains the mirrors and in particular the mirrors from the old burnt mall of the first film. According to some beliefs, after a violent death the soul can be trapped in a mirror in search of redemption. This in part could explain the ending of the first movie. Unlike the element of possession that the first one had, the second film is limited only to reflections and deaths. Overall, it is interesting and has good acting and script, but it is much less intense than the first, and at a much slower pace and focuses more on mystery than terror. It also has some unnecessary gore/splatter and nudity elements that were absent from the first. It's significantly below the first one and since it's not a sequel, you can skip it. Still worth a watch, but only for once.

While driving on the road with his fiancée Kayla (Jennifer Sipes), Max Matheson (Nick Stahl) has a serious car accident and they both die. However, Max is resuscitated and one year later he is an emotionally disturbed man with the guilty complex for the murder of his beloved fiancée and under psychological treatment with Dr. Beaumont (Ann Mckenzie). When his father Jack Matheson (William Katt) reopens the Mayflower Department Store in New Orleans, his security guard Henry Schow (Evan Jones) has an accident and Jack invites Max to be his replacement to help in his cure. Max accepts the job and his father introduces him to the store manager Keller Landreaux (Lawrence Turner); the buyer Jenna McCarty (Christy Romano); and the vice-president of operations Ryan Parker (Jon Michael Davis). Max has visions of a dead woman and he foresees the death of Jenna and Ryan in the mirror. Sooner Max finds that he has the ability to see Eleanor Reigns (Stephanie Honoré Sanchez), an employee that is missing, and he contacts her sister Elizabeth Reigns (Emmanuelle Vaugiér) to know details of her disappearance. He finds that Jenna, Ryan and Keller were responsible for a tragedy and now the spirit of Eleanor is seeking revenge.

"Mirrors 2" is an underrated horror movie, with a flawed but good story and reasonable acting. The greatest flaw in the plot is the lack of explanation why Eleanor attacks Jack Matheson that is absolutely innocent. The gorgeous and sexy Emmanuelle Vaugiér has difficulties to perform a dramatic role and keeps her ironical face most of the time. But the special effects are excellent and considering that this is a straight-to-video film, the result is above average. My vote is seven.

Title (Brazil): "Espelhos do Medo 2" ("Mirrors of the Fear 2")