Cast: Phoebe Fox, Jeremy Irvine
Director: Tom Harper
Rating: 1/5
The film, set in 1941, kicks off with the impact of World War II. While many are trying their best to hide from the Nazis, Eve (Phoebe Fox), also a London native, take on the responsibility of saving as many orphaned children as she can by shifting them to a place which hasn't been affected by the German bombs. While Eve, along with her co-worker Jean (Helen McCrory) succeed in escorting the children to the countryside, they are oblivious of the fact that the old Eel Marsh House where they take shelter isn't all that safe. Yes, nobody knows that the mansion, which had also piqued Daniel Radcliff's character in the previous movie, which was abandoned long time back is still haunted by a rancorous soul that only attacks children.
While 'The Woman in Black' came across as a typical horror film which had several truly disturbing moments, and even as it tapped into our deepest fear, it didn't make us feel perverse when we headed to theaters to experience an unpleasant feeling - fear, its sequel doesn't have anything that can allow you to get scared.
Director Tom Harper and screenwriter Jon Croker manage to give an atmosphere which the viewers can by now expect from Hammer horror films. The film offers several interesting ideas, but fails at executing them, which is also why you end up getting bored viewing a rarely scary film.
Unlike the original film, the sequel isn't effective and convincing in explaining the bond between the woman, protagonist Eve and the victims - children. Since there isn't much clarity about the relationship, all we get to see is a confusing blend of unnecessary scares and character drama.
The contrast between the performances by protagonists is enough to suggest that the sequel is predictable and unimpressive. We all lauded Radcliffe for accepting a darker role, especially after the huge popularity of 'Harry Potter', but is that we feel for Phoebe Fox? Not really. There is no denying the fact that she has done her bit to play a disturbed protagonist, but she ends up being clichéd.
'The Woman in Black 2: Angel of Death' is suggestive of a film that was hurriedly prepared to cash in on the original film's popularity. It forgets its main aim - scare the viewers because it pays no attention to technique, execution and timing. Consequently, a film is made that doesn't work, doesn't deliver on what it sets out to accomplish. In a nutshell, it isn't worth your time and money.
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