Wolf Creek 2

I am lost for words for what Greg McLean was thinking when coming into Wolf Creek 2. The first film set the benchmark for future Australian Horror films and really gave me renewed hope that my nation was making inroads into my favourite genre. I was so psyched to see the sequel. Knowing how nasty and memorable the first one was, while i didn't expect this one to surpass it, i still hoped it would have kept its gritty style and "true horror" feel. I was mortified to see that for some unknown reason, Greg has chosen to go down the "Horror comedy" path and completely butcher everything that made him a household name in the extreme horror genre. Wolf Creek 2 has completely eliminated the menace, the isolation, the gritty style of film work and the ultra realism. He has substituted it with over stylized crap that you come to expect from Mainstream Hollywood. Yes it was funny in parts and John Jarratt showcases his talents as a truly great actor, but this is not what Wolf Creek is about! Congratulations Mr McLean, you have officially sold out and lost a fan in the process. This is evidence of the power of money and how a potentially great film maker, can lose his identity when lured in by money.

(62%)Claims made by certain folk that this is an unnecessary sequel appear to be forgetting the fact that by and large all sequels, especially horror sequels, are unnecessary cash-ins on a successful production, and this is no different. The original was a slow burn grisly low budget shocker with a great panic stricken sense of hopelessness from a serial-killer who always appeared to be one step ahead of his prey whilst they trespass on his turf. While the sequel is a bit more of the same only with a swifter pace, and a slightly lighter tone. There's also quite a bit more car chasers, and a degree more humour from the great John Jarratt's character who turns somewhat similar to Freddy Krueger with his perverted view of the world and intense wickedness making this more of a exploitation drive-in movie than the original's softly approach into terror. The movie does twist and turn as it goes along, although most will have some sort of idea what's coming next, but this is still a very entertaining watch with some great gore effects and a good number of dark comedic one-liners. Even if this is a slightly different beast to the original, it's still as welcome addition, and a good slice of bloody outback horror in its own right.

I saw the first film during schoolies and it felt like it went for twenty minutes. I don't recall any of it apart from that wicked snicker Mick puts on. Going into the second movie was like going in blind. We all know what Wolf Creek is about but i didn't know what to expect, remembering the premise of the first one, no way could they be the same and they weren't. I was pleasantly surprised as i was hooked from the very start. John Jarret is truly superb in this role, he is menacing and pulls of crazy perfectly. Ryan Corr was another good choice, good actor and also very good looking, which always helps. It was definitely a film of cat and mouse, the cat being Mick Taylor.

The final thirty minutes was definitely a step away from the first film completely. It provides the viewer a more in depth look into the menace and serial killer antics of Mick and a chronicle of his 'hobby'. The ending was also brilliant, simple yet punches you right in the face. Their were parts during the film that were a bit comedic. I found this not to be a bad addition, to lighten up the heavy themes of the film, however it did throw off the pace and unsettling tone. Also the music choices were questionable. I found myself looking over to my friend a few times during these parts laughing awkwardly out of place and saying 'that was a bit weird' or 'interesting song choice, bit lame'.

My main criticism of the movie would probably be the hyper inflated racist Australian character of Mick Taylor. However in saying that, i guess that is why he is so crazy and so easy to hate. I'm glad i saw it, i was thoroughly entertained.

The lead actors in the film, both the villain and protagonist are great. Very scary movie. Some scenes are brutal and pretty hard to take. The supporting roles in the beginning are played by great actors too and the writing makes you care about the characters. Great little film and super fast-pacing make it a thrill ride from start to finish.

You have to have a brain that releases the reward hormones, etc. that are excited by horror and gore to sit through this Aussie rendition of a "not-so-nice-person" gleefully and with good Aussie nationalism dismember visiting hiking tourists or any others of similar persuasion who upset him or for that matter simply anyone who upsets him.

Well acted. The usual pursuit of the prey scenes, but what makes this a seven vs. eight or nine stars are the stupid decisions of our prey. A common problem in this genre and it's not clear if it's written into the script on purpose to annoy viewers or the writers simply need to prolong the agony to fill 90 minutes or they just don't have a good understanding of thinking under pressure.