THE DESCENT: PART II [2009]

I avoided this film for as long as I could because I loved the first one so much and knew a sequel would just bugger things up. Early last year curiosity got the best of me and with lowered expectations I was surprised to find I didn't hate it as much as I thought I would.
Picking up right where the American version of The Descent ended, Part II takes no time with character development and sends us right back into those caves with a bunch of people we couldn't give a toss about.
The claustrophobic atmosphere isn't as intense this time, the tension between characters is silly and the monsters are seen way too early to really be a threat. With that said, it's a fast-paced thrill ride that goes by pretty fast and leaves no bad aftertaste.

2½ Baths In Monster Waste out of 5

THE DESCENT [2005]

Going into this film I had very low expectations but felt it'd be a good way to pass a Sunday evening. Coming out of the film I was left completely astounded and disturbed by the merciless brutal tones of this frightening cinematic experience.
I'm not claustrophobic but Neil Marshall's The Descent made me feel like I was. He cleverly builds up the tension and dread with perfect pacing. The disorienting edits and camera angles are wonderfully executed so that by the time you almost grow comfortable with the unbalanced surroundings he introduces a whole new wave of terror into the mix.
The all female cast have some believable characters to work with but don't always perform as well as they could be. It's not entirely original but it's the mood, setting and ruthless attitude that cements it as one of my favorite horror films of all time and one of the scariest of the new millennium.

4 Werewolf heads out of 5