REVIEW: Demons 2

Demons 2

Director: Lamberto Bava

Year 1986

Demons 2 is a tremendously outrageous sequel that takes all of the fun bits from the original Demons and lets it run wild within the confines of an apartment high-rise, resulting in bloody chaos. Imaginative and unhinged, the film moves at a break-neck pace as it showcases how truly entertaining Italian genre cinema can be. Taking the helm once again, Lamberto Bava religiously follows in the footsteps of his original hit as he sticks to formula and delivers a dangerous combination of blood, guts, and demonic mayhem, which seen through Bava's demented lens is sure to please any fan of this wild genre. Grotesquely sinister fun abounds in this most worthy and entertaining of follow-ups.

The film takes place in a ten story high-rise apartment building on a most horrific night, where mysteriously a demon manifests itself into the world of the living and begins to wreak havoc among the tenants, changing the every day citizens into flesh-ripping demons. One by one, the tenants are transformed into hellish ghouls, forcing the surviving apartment dwellers to fight for their very lives in the most hopeless of situations. Trapped in a ten story tomb and hunted by an army of demons, will anyone see the light of day again?

Demons 2 is a tricky beast, because there really isn't any central character to speak of within the cast. Sure we have our two most likely main characters in the form of George and Hannah, played by David Edwin Knight and Nancy Brilli, but frankly they are just one of a number of roles that are literally jumbled into this smorgasbord of chaos, and believe me chaos is the name of the game in this flick. Awash in a turbulent storm of blood and mayhem, Knight and Brilli do a commendable job in playing the role of the expectant newlyweds, but try as they may they can not break through the outrageous proceedings that Bava has in store for them, and this is not a bad thing. With demons on a rampage, who needs main characters to root for anyway?

What we do get within this chaotic formula is a chance to showcase a motley group of tenants as they try desperately to stay alive. Bobby Rhodes, a fan favorite from the original Demons, essentially reprises his role from the first film yet in name only. In the first movie Rhodes was a pimp named Tony and in the second entry he takes on the moniker of Hank, the badass gym instructor who specializes in demon slaying. Either way you look at it, the guy gives the same exceptionally outrageous performance which is truly legendary to behold. Over the top and out of control, it's not hard to see why Bobby Rhodes has a cult following.

Coralina Cataldi-Tassoni also does a great deal of heavy lifting among the diverse cast, as she is almost extensively under a great deal of prosthetics and makeup for much of the film. With her being the initial infected tenant of the complex, it gives the actress countless opportunities to really ham it up for the cameras as she delightfully goes on her demonic killing spree. You really have to give it up for Tassoni, because she goes all out in bringing this despicable creature to life. She is a true nightmare in the flesh, and her wacky gore-filled antics are a thing of frightening beauty. It's also interesting to note that a young Asia Argento makes an appearance as Ingrid Haller, a young girl trapped inside the demon-infested apartment high-rise. Argento does a great job with the morbid material and she looks as cute as a button.

As previously mentioned, the film is jam-packed with hectic moments which all morph together to make for one hell of a horror opus. Sometimes silly, but always entertaining, these raucous instances produce an unsettling atmosphere that just permeates the movie to its very core. What's interesting about this unparalleled tone is that it is not horrific in nature, but entertainingly demented in presentation. You'll never be truly scared during the run time of this flick, but you will find yourself feeling a great sense of unease at all that is going on. It is a sweeping amalgam of blood, guts, and terror, but it always has that playful aspect to it that always harkens back to the fun factor of the genre and era. I've always enjoyed this magical element that most Italian horror efforts of this time seem effortlessly able to capture, and Demons 2 just takes that approach and runs with it, as it makes you cringe and grin in unison.

Much of the enjoyment factor of the movie has a great deal to do with the practical effects on display and the wonderful creature designs for the various demons. Nasty and grotesque, the demons are as maleficent as they are decrepit and their proficiency at dealing out violent retribution to anyone that crosses their path is without equal. Blood splatters and wounds agape as these vile creatures search every nook and cranny of the complex for fresh meat to tear apart and the effects department do an excellent job in bringing it all to fruition. The transformations of the humans as they painfully morph into demons is a highlight of the film, though in my opinion it was done more feverishly in the original entry. Be that as it may, Demons 2 is an entertaining romp that never seems to wear out its welcome as it goes balls to the wall in its attempts to shock and awe its audience.

Demons 2 is a sequel that truly gives its audience what it wants and that is demonic chaos on an unsettling level. Unrestrained to the point of bafflement, the movie saturates itself with vile moments, despicable scenarios and outlandish prospects, to the point that it all feels as if it will spill out onto the audience in a gore covered mess. In true chaotic form, the presence of David Edwin Knight, Nancy Brilli, Coralina Cataldi-Tassoni, Bobby Rhodes and even Asia Argento, are all lost within the confusion of this claustrophobic terror-dome, making for a film that is quite obscure and out of control. It is in this madness that the film really takes off, as it sweeps us up in the mayhem and puts us front and center, surrounded by the bedlam.

Truly rooted in that sinister Italian horror style, the film boasts a plentiful amount of gore thanks to its wonderful effects crew and makeup department. The demons are truly frightening with their demented eyes and puss spewing features, and the very nature in which they present themselves and dispense death is truly unruly and without remorse. If anything can be said about Demons 2 it's that it is without a doubt demonic, both in its visual flare and in its content. Ridiculously fun and wholly entertaining, this is without a doubt a roller coaster of a film. When it comes down to it, Demons 2 is an outstanding second stab at the genre, even if it doesn't attempt to mess with the formula or shake things up. If you've got a demonic itch to scratch, then look no further. Bava's got your hook-up. Demons 2 is.....

Nerd Alert!!!!

Asia Argento.... Cute as a button.

These new 3D TVs are crazy real!

Surprise! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

One of the most dramatic birthday entrances in history.

Could you be, the most beautiful demon in the world? Sing it Prince!

It's my party and I'll kill everyone if I want to.

Did someone have themselves a little accident?

Bad dog! Very bad dog!

Smash everything! SMASH EVERYTHING! AGAIN!

Even this crazy chick was shocked at how cool this movie was.

Shoot everything! SHOOT EVERYTHING!

I told you I don't want any of your damned Girl Scout Cookies! Beat it!

WTF?!?!?!

NOOOOOOO!

Looking good sweetheart.

Watch as a young Asia Argento is scarred for life.

Cheer up! It may be over, but at least we have the memories.

REVIEW: Demons

Demons

Director: Lamberto Bava

Year 1985

Demons is a gore filled and highly entertaining italian horror flick that shows just what would happen if the movie that you are watching springs to life and reeks havoc in the real world. The film is brought to stylistic life by Lamberto Bava, the son of one of italian horror cinemas most prolific director Mario Bava. Lamberto shows that he has just as much visual flare and gothic sensibilities as his father providing a technicolor nightmare that mirrors some of Mario's most prolific films. Borrowing heavily from collaborator Dario Argento, Bava presents a bloody film where demons make cemeteries their cathedrals and cities your tombs. Sounds like fun. Let's get started.

Lets have a gay old time at the Metropol theater.

The film begins when a pair of friends attend a premiere screening of a mysterious film at a mysterious theater that has just now opened for the first time by a mysterious staff. It's all very mysterious. Anyways, once inside the theater, we are introduced to a motley crew of diverse characters ranging from an old hate filled couple, to two young love-struck teenagers, to of all things a pimp and his two hoes. As the film progresses, strange things begin happening and life begins to imitate art as the demons played out on the large theater screen begin to walk amongst the moviegoers taking them out one by one. This is italian horror at its finest as we see the blood flow in buckets and are served stylistic visual cues in hefty portions. It's enjoyable and the offbeat cast only adds to the unusual flavor.

The calm before the demon shit storm.

The great thing about this film is the mechanic of putting a film within a film and having that inner film manipulate the outcome of the world of the real. It sounds very high brow, but don't worry. The technique is hidden under a ton of gore and an unabashed amount of violence, but the fact that Lamberto Bava and company were able to create such surreal yet believable films in one story gives me a warm tingling feeling inside. In all seriousness though, the execution of this duel existence that's sustained in the film is rather accomplished in sense and tone. It's a crazy notion to think that a film can effect the real world and then infect the inhabitants of it, but they somehow make it happen and we invest in that absurdity as truth in this cinema world. That's a pretty big accomplishment for an italian splatterfest, yet there are the usual illogical turns that always crop up in the italian horror genre that both take away from the believability of the moment but at the same time add so much to the overall atmosphere of the piece.

Damn Rick James! That's one hell of a pimple!

All in all, if you're looking for logic, then all I have to say to you is get the hell out of here. This is an italian horror flick that focuses on demons possessing people from inside a movie. It's 80's, it's gory, and it's entertaining as all hell. Take it for what it is and run with it, because this is a roller coaster ride of demonic proportions. That being said, you'll find everything that makes these italian gore-fests the amusing spectacle that they are. Eye sockets are gouged, flesh is torn, and gruesome practical effects are celebrated with full and utmost enthusiasm. Not only that, but you'll get the ever so dumb decisions made by all the main characters and some dialogue that will have you scratching your head in bewilderment. Man I love this genre.

This can't be happening. It's illogically illogical.

The people that stand out in this flick are the ones that really go for broke with the crazy lines and over the top actions. Take my main man Tony, the cold ass pimp with an attitude played by Bobby Rhodes, for example. His character just steals the show every time he opens his mouth, spewing classic lines left and right. In one of his most compassionate moments, he sees one of his hoes come bursting out from behind the movie screen after being attacked by a demon. She's covered in blood and basically on death's doorstep, and what does he have to say? "Oh shit! That's a friend of mine!" Priceless. I couldn't have said it better myself. Another perfect execution of hilarious proportions comes when they are trying to break down the projection booth's door. After a few choice hits, it bursts open. They charge into the room only to encounter another door and what does he yell? "Oh shit, another door!" You just have to love it and if you don't get the humor in that, then I would suggest watching something else.

Demon Rick James says, "Talk to the hand!"

Now it's not the films entire fault for these absurd sounding exclamations and I don't think any less of the film for the inclusion of said dialogue. Italian horror films are known for their strange dubbing and the unusual fact that half of the cast usually spoke separate languages from the other half, resulting in recording a new audio track for the entire speaking cast. For me it adds a certain charm to these movies that make them their own. It's like stumbling into a world that doesn't really exist anywhere else but up on the screen and in our imaginations. It adds another layer to the film and for me it's a welcome change of pace from the norm. I don't really see it as a fault of the film, because the artistic visuals and outstandingly atmospheric soundtracks of these movies more then make up for the lack of sensible dialogue. Bring on the weirdness.

Tony says, "Smash everything! SMASH EVERYTHING!"

As for the soundtrack, we have a beauty. The creepy synth tunes are provided by keyboardist Claudio Simonetti of Goblin fame. For those that are new to the italian horror scene, Goblin is a band that frequented many italian horror flicks of the 70's and 80's, mostly providing the surreal and haunting soundtracks of horror maestro Dario Argento's films. Claudio's credits include Deep Red, Suspiria, Dawn of the Dead, Tenebre, Conquest, Sleepless, and the list just goes on and on. His contributions to the sound of this genre is unparalleled and his work on the music from Demons stands right up there at the top of his macabre soaked library of memorable soundtracks. Pulling his rock influences to the forefront, Claudio is able to bring something fresh and new to the world of italian horror cinema that also has a catchy groovy beat that's perfect for watching people get slaughtered to.

The freaks come out at night.

There's also some pretty goretastic set pieces on display in this film. Especially when it comes to the transformation of normal everyday moviegoers into full on possessed demons. While all done practically, the outcome is grotesque to say the least, as we're witness to the horrific sights of bloody gums replaced by razor sharp teeth and puss filled wounds as they burst like giant white head filled zits. Barf. It's messy as hell and the special effects department in charge of creating these monstrosities, really did their homework in making us want to toss up our lunch over the horrific sights presented to us. As italian horror movies go, Demons has a rather large amount of gross out effects that all do their job in frightful fashion.

This movie will make you scream like a little girl.

What's also impressive with this film is the amount of use they're able to get out of the location of setting the entire story inside a movie theater. The complex is massive, consisting of a balcony, endless staircases, expansive lobby, and a complicated maze of inner air ducts. The characters cover the whole gamut in their ongoing struggle to survive the growing demon horde. There's even an interesting sequence in which the group find a secret room that leads to some ancient tunnels and sarcophagus like chambers. It doesn't make a lick of sense and leads to a dead end in both the survivors escape and the flow of the narrative, but damn is it interestingly weird. Though that's really not the end of the weirdness.

Demon zoos would be one hell of an interesting concept.

The story also takes another u-turn when it introduces a group of punks led by a tremendous douche named Ripper, played by Lino Salemme. We follow them as they drive around the city, snorting coke from a Coke bottle and basically being assholes to each other. It really is a scene that comes out of left field and you're left wondering what the hell this has to do with the people trapped inside the movie theater being slaughtered by countless demonic creatures. Eventually the punk's story leads them to the theater, but the decision to introduce their story during some of the most frantic moments of the survivors fight remains to be justified. Still it doesn't really bother me that much and goes back to that previously mentioned notion that this special genre always has those quirky moments that make you scratch your head in disbelief, but so is the world of italian horror cinema.

I'm sorry but you Miss are disgusting.

Demons is a rip roaring ride of demonic violence that literally rips your mind apart as it proceeds to delve into some insane and bloody territory. Following the footsteps of past genre efforts, Demons stays close to the formula of blood, guts, and rock n roll. Goblin's Claudio Simonetti infuses an immensely demented score to the atmospherically ferocious visuals and keeps the audible tension of the film intact. Toppled with grotesque special effects that bring the demons to strikingly disturbing life, Demons brings the pain when it comes to the over abundance of gore, crazed characters, and no holds barred entertainment. I highly recommend this film to anyone who enjoys a good old italian horror flick and to those who like your entertainment fun and bloody.

5 out of 5 stars           Demons! Demons! Demons!