9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
1.0 out of 5 stars
"Sequel" That We Really Don't Need, July 3, 2009
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.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
the cell 2, August 20, 2010
Being killed and brought back to life many times has to suck. That's what the victems in this film have to face before being killed for real. The cell 2 is for sure not as great as the cell, but it does have some good parts. The mind of the killer is not as exciting as the previous killer but it's still a little wicked. All the colors and mirrors were cool. The characters you don't really care for but the plot is enjoyable enough and the acting is fine. It's a blockbuster rental.
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2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
A watchable thriller, March 1, 2010
Some of these reviews seem a bit harsh. This is a direct to DVD film, it does not have the budget of a major motion picture. We need to judge the film against its peers. While the special effects are not award winning, I thought they were acceptable. The crew did well with a limited budget and schedule. The science is indeed goofy, but if we reject horror films with goofy science there won't be much left to watch. I don't want to spoil the film, so I will only say that I liked Frank Whaley's performance and no one seemed to be sleep walking though the film. All in all it is a nice watchable film and I will probably watch it again some time. I give it 3 stars and for the record, I would give the original "The Cell" 4 stars.
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