Wolf Creek 2

I thoroughly enjoyed Wolf Creek. All elements of film making seemed to work, for me. I like realism in films and the sense of isolation in the Australian outback was palpable. After viewing the trailer for Wolf Creek 2 I thought that the film might fall into the Hollywood category. What I was hoping for was another gem.

John Jarratt returns as serial killer Mick Taylor. He delivers another strong performance. His laugh and hoarse, Aussie voice never falter. He gets totally into character and runs the show. He has too much screen time, however, to make him as scary as he should be. The viewer is given too much knowledge of his whereabouts, I felt.

The actors who play the tourists are good, notably Ryan Corr, playing well-educated British traveler, Paul. The film doesn't provide much insight into his character which might be the reason why I had little empathy for him, or any of Mick's victims in this film. Towards the end I was routing for the tourists solely because as the viewer we have witnessed the hell their put through. For whatever reason, I really liked the characters in the first film and it was hard to watch them meet their fate.

The sense of isolation is there but doesn't have the same effect as it did in the first film, probably because there are a few more characters in this film, and other devices used to create action, which made the film appear less chilling and more thrilling.

I liked that McLean used subtitles for the German couple because I wasn't expecting it. Of course English isn't always going to be a tourists first language and they're not going to speak it for our benefit. Fret not, once the screaming begins you don't have to do a lot of reading.

Some parts of the film felt a little odd to me at first, and there are a couple of comical sequences. I took it in the movie's stride. Perhaps that was writer number 2, Aaron Sterns, input. I didn't mind. There was enough Mick Taylor sadism to pull me back to the horror film I went in to watch. The setting at the end was a little disappointing because it felt too orchestrated and unlike Mick Taylor. It felt more like a scene from 'Hostel'.

The first film is a rare beauty, and Wolf Creek 2 is a good sequel - nothing more, nothing less IMO.

I saw the first film during schoolies and it felt like it went for twenty minutes. I don't recall any of it apart from that wicked snicker Mick puts on. Going into the second movie was like going in blind. We all know what Wolf Creek is about but i didn't know what to expect, remembering the premise of the first one, no way could they be the same and they weren't. I was pleasantly surprised as i was hooked from the very start. John Jarret is truly superb in this role, he is menacing and pulls of crazy perfectly. Ryan Corr was another good choice, good actor and also very good looking, which always helps. It was definitely a film of cat and mouse, the cat being Mick Taylor.

The final thirty minutes was definitely a step away from the first film completely. It provides the viewer a more in depth look into the menace and serial killer antics of Mick and a chronicle of his 'hobby'. The ending was also brilliant, simple yet punches you right in the face. Their were parts during the film that were a bit comedic. I found this not to be a bad addition, to lighten up the heavy themes of the film, however it did throw off the pace and unsettling tone. Also the music choices were questionable. I found myself looking over to my friend a few times during these parts laughing awkwardly out of place and saying 'that was a bit weird' or 'interesting song choice, bit lame'.

My main criticism of the movie would probably be the hyper inflated racist Australian character of Mick Taylor. However in saying that, i guess that is why he is so crazy and so easy to hate. I'm glad i saw it, i was thoroughly entertained.

(62%)Claims made by certain folk that this is an unnecessary sequel appear to be forgetting the fact that by and large all sequels, especially horror sequels, are unnecessary cash-ins on a successful production, and this is no different. The original was a slow burn grisly low budget shocker with a great panic stricken sense of hopelessness from a serial-killer who always appeared to be one step ahead of his prey whilst they trespass on his turf. While the sequel is a bit more of the same only with a swifter pace, and a slightly lighter tone. There's also quite a bit more car chasers, and a degree more humour from the great John Jarratt's character who turns somewhat similar to Freddy Krueger with his perverted view of the world and intense wickedness making this more of a exploitation drive-in movie than the original's softly approach into terror. The movie does twist and turn as it goes along, although most will have some sort of idea what's coming next, but this is still a very entertaining watch with some great gore effects and a good number of dark comedic one-liners. Even if this is a slightly different beast to the original, it's still as welcome addition, and a good slice of bloody outback horror in its own right.

The lead actors in the film, both the villain and protagonist are great. Very scary movie. Some scenes are brutal and pretty hard to take. The supporting roles in the beginning are played by great actors too and the writing makes you care about the characters. Great little film and super fast-pacing make it a thrill ride from start to finish.

Doesn't match the quality of the first film, but overall still a highly enjoyable film.

I thoroughly enjoyed this sequel. Kept me on the edge of my seat right throughout the film. Having seen Ryan Corr in other things it was easy to have sympathy for him. I felt like I was apart of all the action. Some scenes were obviously added for the international market (flying kangaroo's) but that didn't phase me. Some aspects of the film were barely believable, but you have to remember this is a film, whatever happened to poetic license?

If you want to cringe, scream and get your adrenaline pumping this is a film for you!