Introduction: “A Haunted House 2” is a horror-comedy sequel directed by Michael Tiddes. This review assesses the film’s comedic elements, performances, critical reception, and box office performance.
Plot Synopsis:
- The film follows Malcolm, who after exorcising the demons of his ex-girlfriend, moves into a new home with his new girlfriend and her children.
- As Malcolm faces a new set of supernatural challenges, including possessed dolls and creepy neighbors, he once again sets up cameras to capture the chaos.
Comedic Elements:
- “A Haunted House 2” continues the blend of horror and comedy, parodying popular horror tropes and found-footage films.
- The film relies on crude humor, slapstick comedy, and exaggerated reactions to supernatural events to generate laughs.
Performances:
- Marlon Wayans reprises his role as Malcolm, delivering a similar comedic style with energy and enthusiasm.
- The supporting cast, including Essence Atkins, Jaime Pressly, and Cedric the Entertainer, offer solid performances but are limited by the material.
Critical Reception:
- Like its predecessor, “A Haunted House 2” received negative reviews from critics, holding a 7% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
- Critics criticized the film for its recycled jokes, lack of originality, and reliance on cheap scares, calling it a disappointing follow-up to the first installment.
Box Office Performance:
- Despite poor critical reception, “A Haunted House 2” performed modestly at the box office, grossing over $24 million worldwide.
- The film’s financial success can be attributed to its low production budget and the popularity of the first film among fans of Wayans’ comedy.
Conclusion: “A Haunted House 2” fails to recapture the magic of its predecessor, offering little in terms of originality or genuine humor. While Marlon Wayans and the cast deliver committed performances, the film’s reliance on recycled jokes and predictable scares makes it a forgettable entry in the horror-comedy genre. Overall, it’s a disappointing sequel that falls short of expectations.
