A group of young adults is invited to the cast of a "Survivor"-style show, filmed in the same woods from "Wrong Turn" in West Virginia. Apparently, the producers didn't bother to check the location out very well in advance because those crazy inbred rednecks are still living here and hungry for young, lean human flesh.
Director Joe Lynch and the writers of Carrot Top's masterpiece "Chairman of the Board" bring us a surprisingly good film. While most straight-to-video sequels are lacking in many ways, this one shines forth with originality and vision. Lynch's previous work was in the world of music videos, and he transitions very well to the horror style. The fact this film has a reality TV element to it may help, but those are not the film's strongest parts.
We're treated to a woman who is literally chopped in half (vertically) by an ax, a scene of an inbred mutant masturbating... and plenty of cannibalism. While the worst thing I can say is that the Morlocks were not the most believable as real human beings, if we can look pas that (it's horror, you know) then the movie really kicks you in the nuts (or ovaries).
The lovely Erica Leerhsen takes the lead as Nina, Henry Rollins is awesome as the survivalist Dale (a much more natural role than he had in "Feast" and a significantly bigger part, as well). I was happy to see Daniella Alonso playing the militant lesbian Amber. Alonso had recently appeared in two very awful films ("Hood of Horrors" and "Hills Have Eyes 2" -- see separate reviews) and it was good to see her in something where she's given a chance to really act.
Speaking of "Hills 2", this film is often compared to it. They're both Fox films released in 2007 as sequels to films about mutants who attack people in the wilderness. Well, let me set the record straight here: "Wrong Turn 2" deserved a theatrical release and "Hills 2" deserved to be straight-to-video (or never made at all). This was a big mistake on the part of Fox. In every category "Wrong Turn 2" is superior -- acting, plot, gore, nudity, humor and action.
I am unsure how I felt about Crystal Lowe, playing the woman with loose morals named Elena. Sure, she was hot and it's always good to get excessive nudity and sex in a horror film (gratuitous sex and violence sells). But Lowe needs to start moving into more solid acting. She's becoming a name and it's more from her body than anything else. Maybe that's all she wants -- fame is fame -- but I suspect if she wants a long-term movie career, it would be best to move into non-sexy roles soon. Don't get me wrong, though -- I'll keep watching her either way.
Kimberly Caldwell ("American Idol") played herself and was amazing. Probably the best acting from a musician since Meat Loaf in "Rocky Horror Picture Show". Ken Kirzinger (the new Jason Voorhees) shows up, too, but unfortunately he plays yet another character where he is unrecognizable.
If you liked the first film, check this one out. Joe Lynch is poised to jump from novice to veteran in the world of horror if he wants it -- this is precisely the sort of film that gets noticed by the fans. I loved it, and I think you will, too. Don't rent that lame "Hills 2" when you can get the real deal with "Wrong Turn 2".
Director Joe Lynch and the writers of Carrot Top's masterpiece "Chairman of the Board" bring us a surprisingly good film. While most straight-to-video sequels are lacking in many ways, this one shines forth with originality and vision. Lynch's previous work was in the world of music videos, and he transitions very well to the horror style. The fact this film has a reality TV element to it may help, but those are not the film's strongest parts.
We're treated to a woman who is literally chopped in half (vertically) by an ax, a scene of an inbred mutant masturbating... and plenty of cannibalism. While the worst thing I can say is that the Morlocks were not the most believable as real human beings, if we can look pas that (it's horror, you know) then the movie really kicks you in the nuts (or ovaries).
The lovely Erica Leerhsen takes the lead as Nina, Henry Rollins is awesome as the survivalist Dale (a much more natural role than he had in "Feast" and a significantly bigger part, as well). I was happy to see Daniella Alonso playing the militant lesbian Amber. Alonso had recently appeared in two very awful films ("Hood of Horrors" and "Hills Have Eyes 2" -- see separate reviews) and it was good to see her in something where she's given a chance to really act.
Speaking of "Hills 2", this film is often compared to it. They're both Fox films released in 2007 as sequels to films about mutants who attack people in the wilderness. Well, let me set the record straight here: "Wrong Turn 2" deserved a theatrical release and "Hills 2" deserved to be straight-to-video (or never made at all). This was a big mistake on the part of Fox. In every category "Wrong Turn 2" is superior -- acting, plot, gore, nudity, humor and action.
I am unsure how I felt about Crystal Lowe, playing the woman with loose morals named Elena. Sure, she was hot and it's always good to get excessive nudity and sex in a horror film (gratuitous sex and violence sells). But Lowe needs to start moving into more solid acting. She's becoming a name and it's more from her body than anything else. Maybe that's all she wants -- fame is fame -- but I suspect if she wants a long-term movie career, it would be best to move into non-sexy roles soon. Don't get me wrong, though -- I'll keep watching her either way.
Kimberly Caldwell ("American Idol") played herself and was amazing. Probably the best acting from a musician since Meat Loaf in "Rocky Horror Picture Show". Ken Kirzinger (the new Jason Voorhees) shows up, too, but unfortunately he plays yet another character where he is unrecognizable.
If you liked the first film, check this one out. Joe Lynch is poised to jump from novice to veteran in the world of horror if he wants it -- this is precisely the sort of film that gets noticed by the fans. I loved it, and I think you will, too. Don't rent that lame "Hills 2" when you can get the real deal with "Wrong Turn 2".