Dark Rising 2: Summer Strikes Back!

The previous reviews for this movie seem out of place. This isn't a blockbuster action movie trying to maintain any sense of realism. In fact it's making fun of them a bit.

It's an obvious over-the-top play on science fiction action movies. From the lead character being some type of advanced humanoid species (See Alice from Resident Evil) with rather large assets to the criminals who couldn't hurt a thing if their life depended on it.

The actors know how far-fetched and insane the film is and seem to have had a lot of fun making it. No, they aren't great actors – their "ok" acting ability is what adds to this "b" movies character.

It's not meant to be taken seriously. It's absolutely ridiculous and that's what makes it fun. Remember that and you'll enjoy it for what it is.

Right, well I don't recall having seen the first movie, so I wasn't really sure what I was in for when I sat down to watch the 2011 movie "Agency of Vengeacy: Dark Rising" (aka "Dark Rising 2: Summer Strikes Back!").

But it being a movie that I hadn't seen before, and me having the opportunity to watch it, of course I managed to find the time to do so, despite the movie having such a campy and cheesy movie cover. I mean, it just felt like this was going to be a movie made by teenagers for teenagers.

Well, I wasn't in for something outstanding, that's for sure. Yet, I managed to actually sit through the entire course of this cheesy movie. And yeah, it was indeed a cheesy movie.

I will say, though, that it looked like people were at least having fun making the movie. And the low budget feel that permeated the movie was actually working well in favor of "Agency of Vengeacy: Dark Rising".

The acting in "Agency of Vengeacy: Dark Rising" was dubious, so you shouldn't set yourself up for some over the top Shakespearian performances in this movie, as you will be sorely disappointed.

As for special effects, this was a sci-fi action movie after all, well, they had special effects, and thanks for that. But they were not particularly outstanding or grand visual effects, that's for sure.

I am sure that there is indeed an audience out there for a campy movie such as "Agency of Vengeacy: Dark Rising" turned out to be. I, however, just wasn't really in that target audience. I didn't particularly enjoy the movie.

My rating of "Agency of Vengeacy: Dark Rising" lands on a three out of ten stars.

Maybe if I saw the first movie or TV show first I would have liked this movie more but I really don't think so. It didn't seem like there was much going on that would have been helped by other details or back story. The writing and acting are particularly awful in this. The lead guy stinks, the lead girl is not a great actor but at least is very easy to look at (and not an awful actor just not great with stage combat which I'm guessing is much the fault of the producers and director), and the fat demon guy who is there obviously for comic relief is so over the top desperate to try to get a laugh he made me cringe every time he was on the screen. I hated this movie over all. But the other cast and lead female were OK and the effects actually were decent in my opinion for a lower budget movie. Take a pass though unless you have a couple hours you really want to waste on something annoying.

Dark Rising (2007) was a dumb but fun fantasy comedy with ridiculous monsters and lots of PG T&A. With an unknown cast and WWE wrestler Christian it exceeded my expectations even though it still wasn't all that great.

I never expected a movie like that to get a sequel but here we are and it isn't half bad. Following on from the events of the previous film including most of the surviving cast we have more silly dumb fun but with a slightly higher calibre of comedy.

The sfx are still poor and it's hardly a well made effort but it makes up for it where it matters.

Shockingly Dark Rising didn't just spawn 2 movies but also 2 television series which I'm looking forward to diving into.

If you enjoyed the first movie I recommend this, otherwise it may be a bit niche.

The Good:

Great comedy character

The Bad:

No Christian, I mean yes he did die in the first movie but still

Aftereffects level sfx

Brigitte Kingsley is an unconvincing action heroine

First it's a low budget sci-fi action comedy. It works well. My biggest complaint is it's just not as good as the first, I LOVED THE ORIGINAL, and apparently at the beginning Summer is getting married, but not to the person who saved her in the original. The main character and the heroine apparently broke up after the 1st movie.

That was kind of a downer and just did not make a whole lot of sense. Dark Rising is about demons, magic, sorcery, bikini babes and the movie knows it's cheeeeesy fun.

Admitting it is not as fun as the original, but still fun. It just lacks the same chemistry of the main character and his friends. Christian Cage(YES THE WRESTLER) was fantastic in the first and a shame he was not bought back. It just missed that over the top friend that typical comedies have. They did try, but I cannot believe I am saying this, Christian Cage is a good actor and great as the protagonists horny, getting laid often friend.

I will give this movie a 5 out of 10. The first one was near perfect. Keep in mind, this is a low budget, and meant to be cheeesy. You will appreciate the Dark Rising 1(Please try to watch it if you have not), and want to watch Dark Rising 2.