Astral Factor

976-EVIL II (1991)

* 1/2 (out of 4)

This direct-to-video sequel picks up shortly after the original film as the Dean of a local school has been arrested for murder. It turns out that he got involved in the notorious hotline and soon he was possessed and doing the Devil's work. Before long a woman (Debbie James) is trying to destroy him and the evil powers that he possesses.

I wasn't much of a fan of the original movie and this sequel is certainly far from being "good" itself but at the same time there's no question that it makes for a more entertaining movie. If you're familiar with the work of Jim Wynorski then you already know that he's a master at making low-budget movies and throwing enough in them to make them worth sitting through.

976-EVIL II has a storyline that is pretty much a copy of the original, although this one here adds an even more comic spin to it. The highlight of the film are its use of the public domain films NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD and IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE. Clips from both of those films are shown here and then we get some funny jokes about them and a re-enactment, which is downright funny and I must say it was quite creative.

I'd also argue that Wynorski knows what the people renting this film would have wanted and that's nudity and gore. It takes one-minute for us to reach our first nude sequence and about four more for the first gore scene. The original film seemed to have director Robert Englund not knowing what horror fans would want but that's not the case here. I thought James was fun in her role and I thought Rene Assa was a real benefit as well.

With all of that said, the film is still pretty hard to sit through as there's plenty of action and exploitation but none of the characters are overly interesting and I'd argue that there's really nothing here that keeps you glued into the story. If you're a fan of these types of "B" movies then you might want to check it out but others should probably stay clear.

This sequel has the survivor from the first tracking down a serial killer who is apparently using the 976-evil line to gain demonic powers. The thing is with this story is he isn't really becoming demonic as the character in the first film was. Yeah he shows signs of it but it isn't the same kind of way. More or less he uses astral projection. Almost a different story with the 976-Evil name on it. For straight to video it isn't bad really. Its true claim to fame for horror fans is one scene that steals the movie.That being one of the characters is zapped into the TV and is put into a situation that begins as Its a Wonderful Life and turns into Night of the Living Dead. Such a clever combination and it works so well. Its an idea that's good and executed well but belongs in a better movie. Other than that you have a few car explosions and people being ran over and a few death scenes. Also has a fairly interesting ending which especially at that time you didn't see a lot. Acting wise its your standard low budget actors and nobody is really "phoning " it in. There are also a couple of cameos and a sign to a play that most horror fans will get and understand. So its not great but its not bad either. The wonder life/living dead scene is a show stealer but the movie is average at best.

I have to say this movie surprised me in that it was very well produced and directed. This movie is much better than the original 976-evil movie, the acting is better, the script is better and the characters are more believeable. Now let me talk a little bit about the main character in the movie, her name is Debbie James and wow what a hottie! She is a former Miss Teen USA and a former Miss USA finalist. She is also a former Miss Colorado. Her acting isn't bad either in this movie and she is the main character. I wish Debbie james would appear in more movies (she only has had minor roles in a few subsequent movies) but at least we get to see her as the main character in this interesting movie, which is certainly worth renting and even buying. I give this movie 8 out of 10 stars!

976-Evil (1989) was directed by none other than Robert "Freddy Kreuger" Englund, but sadly was a bit of a mess. This sequel, even worse.

It tells the story of an evil horoscope line that possesses its victims and is behind a notorious serial killer and............stuff.

The plot is hard to follow because not only does it not make a vast amount of sense but it simply isn't very good.

With a cameo appearance by Brigitte Nielsen it has one of those distinctly average casts, and to rise above mediocre it required considerably better. From the plot to the cast to the sfx it's a mess that makes the original look like a work of art.

Even fans of the original will likely not like this because it distances itself so much from the first film despite having the same leading man.

Awful awful stuff.

The Good:

Erm....

The Bad:

Looks ugly

Plot is a mess

Slightly better sequel finds that evil telephone line still in business. It seduces a teacher at first and then turns him into a full blooded killer. Lots of grisly memorable death scenes and a wicked twist of an ending are what make this entry better. Sure it is rather poorly done, but this film is a lot of fun and moves along at a nice pace. Rated R.