Horror in the High Desert 2: Minerva

In my review of the first one, I said a sequel was definitely set up. No one believed me. Another review even called me out, saying a sequel would never happen.

Well: TOLD YA SO!

If you liked or loved the first movie, you'll probably enjoy this one too. But if you didn't care for the first one, or didn't like the slow burn nature of it, don't write this off.

The 'action' starts a lot more quickly, and the footage becomes very unsettling very quickly. Like the first film, the acting is hit or miss. Thankfully there are more hits than misses. I found myself caring about Minerva and wanting to find out about what happened to her a lot more than the protagonist of the first film, but there are still some great connections to the first film (for example the same reporter character comes back)!

Most importantly: there are more scary moments and unsettling moments than the first movie. It seems the filmmakers definitely listened to the complaints regarding lack of action and pacing.

Do yourself a favor and check it out--before the third one comes out!

This was pretty decent for a sequel, however where it did some things better, it also was a tad too short and got a bit tedious at times, I liked all three of these movies but this one and "Firewatch" gave me a sense that they set out to make ONE sequel and then were like nah wait a sec. And decided to make the sequel into two movies instead.

This film also hints that whatever Gary (Gawy) found out there has a more supernatural tint instead of just inbred cannibals.

If you liked the first one you'll probably like this one as well, and if you like this one you'll probably like the "Firewatch" as well, I recommend watching them in one sitting, they're not that long and though slow paced aren't boring either.

I could've done without some slow paced scenes such as the volunteer firefighter (who is later mentioned as EMT) running around inside the abandoned mine town, they could've made that a tad bit shorter and maybe added a couple more "eyewitness accounts" or spooky stories, anyway its a good film just not as good as the first one, and even the third one is slightly better because of the pacing.

This is what a found footage should look like! Take notes! There are definitely more questions than answers, which is not a bad thing. My heart was racing the whole time so much anxiety, never wanted this movie to end. This may be the best movie of 2023, super creepy and the idea is original not like ant movie I have seen! Do yourself a favor and just buy it don't even bother renting it. This may be the creepiest movie I have seen in a long time, it will make you feel uneasy and stay woth you for days. This is one movie you don't want to miss!

After seeing this I will never live alone or drive without a fire arm.

Please do not waste your time. All the 9/10 reviews look dubious at best. No suspense or horror. I feel embarrassed for the fact that I wasted 1:14 minutes of my life on watching this thing.

Apparently there are at least 5 more horror in the high desert movies in the works. I mean, are we serious here? Have mercy on us and this time around actually think and try to make a decent film.

The first movie (2021) was actually creepy and I don't understand how a talent behind the original movie could have been satisfied with writing this movie and release it to the public. One of the most boring and flat movies I've ever watched in my life.

You could do better than this.

The first movie I watched just because I saw the close to 8 rating on this one and my OCD would kill me if I started a series with a sequel. Except that business with Star Wars. But that, that doesn't count.

I'm very glad I did. This isn't a spectacular horror movie, but then what even is? Worth asking. For me, the best horror is able to bring the scares without relying on kitsch like jump scares. And it isn't gratuitous with the violence, while not being afraid to use it either. But perhaps most importantly, it's gotta tell a good story. And the story established in both films is vague enough to be menacing, while pointed enough to establish itself as doing something new-while not even being very new.

HHD (someone's gotta coin the shorthand title after all) is a series that, so far, has taken the found footage and documentary narrative styles and performed them together in a remarkably smooth way. Seriously, as it starts you think, "Ah this is gonna get old." But by about midway, I found myself wondering, "Well if there was something like this in real life, wouldn't this be how it'd be delivered?" Don't get me wrong, it's not unique. But it's pulled off without it being clunky and dumb, which in this genre is itself unique enough.

What's more, often the independent productions either go too far into graphics and effects, which fail to make up for the hollowness of the rest and with they can ill afford anyways, resulting in a weird piece of uncanny valley with bad dialogue, or they sacrifice so much at the artsy fartsy altar that watching it feels like a Halloween TEDTalk by Philip Seymour Hoffman. I'd say not in a good way, but I don't think there is a good way.

In short, these folks have done a great job at just making a solid entry into a sorely unappreciated genre. And I look forward to the next entry, which is all but guaranteed following this second chapter.

Please, really please, don't sell out.