Take 38: Black Phone 2
The movie Black Phone 2 takes place in October 1982. It’s been four years since Finney (Mason Thames) killed The Grabber and his sister Gwen (Madeleine McGraw) is receiving calls from another black phone and begins seeings disturbing visions of three boys married at Alpine Lake Camp. In 1957. Unable to escape the lure of the calls, Gwen insists upon venturing to Alpine Lake Camp with her Ernesto (Miguel Mora) the young brother of one of The Grapper’s victims from the first film. At the last minute, Finney decides to accompany them when they are confronted by the Grapper, who is even more powerful in death.
I really wish I had rewatched the first before seeing this one. The only thing I remember about the first is that I enjoyed it. As for as details go, I can’t remember a one and I can’t help but think it would have added to the experience here. Don’t get me wrong, this one stands firmly on its own and makes what we need to know very clear, but I have to assume being reacquainted with the original would have enhanced the overall experience. I seem to recall the first was fairly grounded and DARK. This one has a very different vibe seems to cross genres. However, unlike say M3GAN 2 which completely abandoned its original tone and genre, this one taps into something a little more metaphysical/mystic/other, it is still very much horror/thriller and actually works. It also has some elements of the 2000 film Frequency (soooooo good!) so I give it some extra points.
The movie equally revolves around Finney and Gwen which is nice. It’s nice to see Finney’s evolution since the first. The movie opens up with them beating the snot of out a new student at his school who, much to his chagrin, wants a piece for he guy who took out The Grabber. Finney refuses to ever be a victim again. Gwen also gets the chance to develop as a character and is downright plucky, my favorite kind of character is these types of films. Apparently, she was in the first but I don’t remember her at all. Not the case here. She adds as much to the story as the more established Finney. They are both a little rough around the edges so there is something relatable there. And boy, does she have a mouth on her. Movie goer me loved her for it, former teacher for me would have wanted me to pull my hair out in clumps.
There is A LOT going on in this movie. One of the cool things they do is make good use of static. When the sound becomes staticky, we know that Gwen is dreaming. Unfortunately, this isn’t enough to distill confusion. We get glimpses of how things appear in the real world when a character is dreaming, but it is confusing exactly how things are happening and what the limits are and exactly what effects the dream world has on reality. This disconnect did take me out of it a couple of times.
Yes, there are some flaws with this movie, but I liked it. It is not a retread of the original and thank goodness because it would have gotten stale quickly. As I said earlier, this is definitely its own thing but with clear ties to the first. I also found the ending to be very definitive. Of course we kind of thought that the first ended that way too. I will say, as much as I like this one, I would be very disappointed with a third installment unless it is a complete prequel. But even that territory is pretty fully explored here.
My score: 8. It took some risks and moves the original story into new territory. My main gripe is that lack of clarity in some moments. That might be a failing on my part. In any event, I think there is enough here to satisfy fans of the original.
Does this review making you feel like picking up a phone and giving me the what for? Save your dime and leave it in the comments. And until next time…
