Writer-director Christopher Landon scored a surprise hit when he brought Happy Death Day to screens and horror movie aficionados lined up to witness what could simply be called “Groundhog Day meets a slasher flick.” Given that the 2017 film exists in a genre that is more prone to sequels than any other, it should hardly be a shock that we now have Happy Death Day 2U.
Given the nature of the first film and how it concluded, one could rack your brain for days trying to come up with a scenario where you can bring everyone back and fire up that sequel making machine. Happy Death Day possessed such intelligently original story structure and themes that a whole lot of trust went into postulating that Happy Death Day 2U would continue that rich foresting of shocks and awes to satisfy that genre’s fans who are quite discerning.
Happy Death Day 2U is out now on DVD, Blu-Ray and digital download formats and if you enjoyed the first film, prepare to smile from ear-to-ear while witnessing what creator Landon has instore for you Babyface-ers out there!
The entire concept of re-living the day of your death over and over again until you figure out what it is that you’re supposed to do differently to make the madness cease gets turned on its head in the sequel in a manner that befits a cast and crew further seeking to push the envelope of this concept.
iframe width=”753″ height=”480″ src=”https://www.youtube.com/embed/THq6KlWgiqw” frameborder=”0″ allow=”accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture” allowfullscreen>This time out, a reveal is employed in terms of the scope of this story and what type of landscape it exists in, that is quite astounding and shockingly affective. Sure, this flick has been out for months now, but I’m still not in the business of spoiling things—even for home video reviews. But let me just say this, witnessing star Jessica Rothe do her thing as Tree Gelbman, to an exponentially crazier level in the follow up is pure delight. Just as it was with Happy Death Day, the power of whether the film works or not (it still does) lies in the talented thespian hands of lead Rothe.
Think she was put in some outlandish situations in the first film, Happy Death Day 2U sends her into an emotive stratosphere. This time, I will admit this much, she’s not the only one whose life is at stake here. That adds layers to the drama and expands the universe that these characters inhabit. Israel Broussard’s Carter Davis too is tasked with taking a day lived ad nauseam and simultaneously present it as the same as experienced prior, yet still fresh with wonder that how his girlfriend is acting is on one hand the same as she always is and on the other hand manically silly off her frustrated rocker. Huge challenge on both ends of that acting volleyball match.
Now Phi Wu’s Ryan Phan, who impeccably opened his dorm room door that fateful morning that played through Happy Death Day and now is also featured in Happy Death Day 2U in such a way that no matter how many times we see it, it still works as a needed comic breather from the suspense, horror and thrills that preceded Tree’s awakening in Carter and Ryan’s room.
The Never-Ending Birthday bonus feature finds the cast and crew dishing the joy of returning to these characters, and specifically 2U’s story and how it elevated expectations for all of them in how fans of the first will have their minds blown.
I want to salute a certain featurette, but again, I’ll have to be vague. What makes Web of Love: Tree’s Triangle such an awesome bonus feature is that it takes viewers to the heart of the true test Landon had on his hands crafting something that can put Tree, and her fellow players in this crazy world ,into fresh (and believable) situations that emit emotional weight to further enrich audiences’ connection to these characters. After all, they’ve taken a journey with them twice now.
There’s a gag reel, which is always an enjoyable endeavor with horror flicks because that tension is so high than when there’s an opportunity to let it all out, it usually is over something hilarious.
There’s also a deleted scene that finds Tree running around that hospital we spend so much time in. Was she chased by that haunting babyface mask? Nope, a security guard. Nice to see how tuned in to the scope of his franchise Landon is with what he chose to cut.
Many stories, of late, are introducing the idea of a multiverse. We saw it (even in its moniker) with the Oscar winning Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse and one could argue that plot point played heavily in Avengers: Endgame. So, getting a featurette—Multiverse 101—is as informative as it is entertaining in its breaking down of what exactly that word means cinematically.
Film grade: B
Bonus features: B