I thought that the original "The Woman In Black" was just an okay movie; I'd seen a lot worse, but all the same it wasn't exceptional. It certainly wasn't a movie that cried out for a sequel. But since it apparently made a respectable profit after being released around the world, we get this sequel. I will say this for the sequel - while it (mostly) takes place in the same location and with the same ghostly spirit, the filmmakers added enough fresh elements so that this sequel does not come across as a simple rehash of the first movie. Also, I will say that the production design is very well done; some serious money was spent on this movie.
But all the same, I though this sequel was kind of weak. The main problem I had with it is that it's VERY slow - more than forty percent of the movie goes by before the protagonists get their first serious clue that there is something malevolent out there. And we have to wait for thirty or so minutes more before the protagonists get their second deadly clue.
But there are additional problems to the movie as well. It's a really gloomy-looking enterprise. I think this was intended, to add a disturbing atmosphere, but it's so glum that what atmosphere is generated is depressing instead of chilling. (And some shots are so dark it's hard to see what is happening.) Also, the movie simply doesn't try hard to be scary, even when it really counts. Many so- called scares are simply variations of the old cliché of a cat suddenly jumping into the frame.
Well, at least being a co-production with Canada, it gave some of my fellow countrymen paid employment.
But all the same, I though this sequel was kind of weak. The main problem I had with it is that it's VERY slow - more than forty percent of the movie goes by before the protagonists get their first serious clue that there is something malevolent out there. And we have to wait for thirty or so minutes more before the protagonists get their second deadly clue.
But there are additional problems to the movie as well. It's a really gloomy-looking enterprise. I think this was intended, to add a disturbing atmosphere, but it's so glum that what atmosphere is generated is depressing instead of chilling. (And some shots are so dark it's hard to see what is happening.) Also, the movie simply doesn't try hard to be scary, even when it really counts. Many so- called scares are simply variations of the old cliché of a cat suddenly jumping into the frame.
Well, at least being a co-production with Canada, it gave some of my fellow countrymen paid employment.