Search - The Cell 2 on DVD

James B. (wandersoul73) from LINDALE, TX
Reviewed on 6/14/2009...

I enjoyed this tame thriller, but then again I'm a fan of Frank Whaley.

1 of 1 member(s) found this review helpful.

"Sequel" That We Really Don't Need

Tsuyoshi | Kyoto, Japan | 07/04/2009

(1 out of 5 stars)

"Of all the films released in the last decade, "The Cell" would be one of the least likely candidates for a sequel. Well, they decided to make "The Cell 2" anyway, without Jennifer Lopez and Vincent D'Onofrio. In fact, "The Cell 2" could be called in any way you want, like "Kiss the Girls 3" or "Saw 9." Whatever it is, the film is a lifeless rehash of serial killer stories you ever heard, told in the most thrill-less fashion you can imagine.

Tessie Santiago is Maya, an agent who has special powers. Just by touching an object that belonged to someone, she can see things about that person. When an elusive serial killer named "The Cusp" is back, (and this killer, who abducts and tortures victims before killing, is actually responsible for her supernatural powers), she decides to use her unwanted ability again.

The story of "The Cell" (2000) was shallow at best, it is certain, but the original has the impressive visuals thanks to director Tarsem Singh, costume designers Eiko Ishioka and April Napier, and special make-ups by Michèle Burke and Edouard F. Henriques (the last category nominated for Oscar). In the sequel, however, you have none of these nice visuals and designs (except the beautiful filming location of Utah) while the story gets only shallower, with the insipid storytelling, 30 minutes' worth of story dragged out to 90 minutes. Everything is repetitious and obvious in this painfully tiresome film.

I watched this in-name-only sequel partly because it has Frank Whaley. He is not bad, actually he is very good. He deserves a much better script than this one, though."

Two stars for the Utah scenery...and that is it.

Steve Kuehl | Ben Lomond, CA | 06/11/2009

(2 out of 5 stars)

"Had to give this a fair shot as The Cell is a popular long-term rental here, but the franchise will have to stop there.

Laundry list/bad: writing, editing, sound mixing, acting, dead bodies that breathe in the morgue, corny macho local cops vs: Feds, C grade effects, really bad makeup, and so on. The kicker (for those that follow all of the bad flubs regarding medical stuff in film): Our main deputy and important character later in the film says: "I used to be an EMT, I can check her pulse" and does so for three seconds with his thumb and states she's all good. The writing was that caliber throughout.

The good: the two stars go for the beginning and end credits with those beautiful Utah mountains and salt flats in Blu clarity. Was a great promo for tourism there, but nothing else appears as relevant for testing the display or sound mixing. The supplemental documentary ran 30 minutes and wreaked of how incredible everyone was to work with. Includes some great examples of what not to say about film making and how not to be interviewed during your early acting career.

You might get some light entertainment as a rental, and I want to list all of the other things wrong with this, but I do not want to harp on it any more. Not a reference Blu, can't recommend it."

This is a must NOT see!

Toni R | Las Vegas, NV United States | 01/22/2010

(1 out of 5 stars)

"This makes my top five horrible movies of all times list! Just dreadful. I loved "The Cell" with Lopez and was looking forward to part 2. There is almost no conncetion to the first movie. The acting his horrible. My seven year old could have produced a more intriguing and convincing plot. The worst part of all, however is the creative, stunning, amazing costuming and artful imagery of the first movie is completely non existent in this one. It is predictable and and a total snooze fest. Nothing to see here folks, move along!"