I don't remember much about the first film so I guess that means that my review will be closer to those from others who haven't seen the original. I may update once I watch the first again.

So I guess I'll be judging this based as a stand-alone film, which in my opinion is how I think sequels should be judged anyway as well as a continuation of the first film.

I found the trailer pretty scary. The snuff films seem to up the ante and therefore I was anticipating some discomfort on viewing. Sure I got discomfort, which is good (this is a horror after all) however only through the abundance of snuff films dotted throughout. It was the only real horror for me in the film bar the creepy radio but the guy who Detective So-and-so goes to visit ruins that scene for me (a tad over-acting, in my opinion).

The character of Detective So-and-so was likeable and even added some humour with his physical presence which I guess is what kept me invested. The domestic abuse back-story had my heart-strings and the dad made me so angry. It gives a good foundation for the ghost children to entice Dylan to kill his family in an offering to Bughuul but they don't use it. They just force him pretty much to watch them as he's polite and wants the nightmares to stop. I get that Zach felt left out but does he really have that much evil in him to kill his whole family based on that. And does that mean the children who killed before weren't possessed? Pah.

That's all I really have to say on the matter. The grim and shocking deaths are the glue that holds this pretty standard and forgettable film together. It doesn't offend but certainly didn't offer much.