Demons 2 - A sequel as good as the original (because it’s basically the same film)

Yes, sequels get a rough ride.  They never seem to live up to the original and in horror movies that’s truer than most.  However, the imaginatively-titled ‘Demons 2’ seems to be just as good is its predecessor – largely because it’s the same film.  The first film was about a group of unfortunate people trapped in a haunted building that was slowly being overrun by bloodthirsty demons (who are basically zombies by another name).  Here, we have a group of unfortunates trapped in a haunted building that is slowly being overrun by bloodthirsty demons.  In fact, many people seem to wonder whether this is actually a remake rather than a sequel.

It’s kind of both, in the same way that Evil Dead 2 was basically a remake that had been re-done and extended to make it a new film of its own.  The events of the first Demons film are pretty much glossed over to the point where it’s just a brief one-line mention which can be taken different ways.  What you’re left with is another gore-fest of excellent special effects (for the eighties, anyway), pretty scary demons (they out-creep any shuffling zombie in my opinion) and a completely nonsensical plot which will leave you scratching your head as to whether what you’re witnessing is either true genius or a complete mess.

Demons 2, like the first one, is a masterpiece of its genre.  You may find it one of those ‘so bad, it’s good’ films, but it’s also got its own charm.  The gore is better than most of its contemporaries and it’s daft feel and loud eighties rock music give it a look and feel of its own (unless you count the first film, obviously).  Plus Bobby Rhodes returns and the film is all the better for it.  It’s a shame he couldn’t headline the film as he steals every scene he’s in as the manic gym instructor!

If you’ve seen the first film, what you’ll get is a re-tread, but, if you enjoyed the first outing, you shouldn’t mind.  If you haven’t seen the original, don’t worry – you’ll soon pick up what little ‘plot’ is required to understand this.  Do you like daft eighties horror?  Do you like zombies?  If so… give this one a watch, just get your mind in for something that doesn’t always make sense and try not to pick too many holes in the story.  I swear that demon child only wanted a cuddle.

8/10 The Force is definitely strong with this one