Henry II - Portait of a Serial Killer
Added 11/2/2008
A good film of its type, which is more realistic than a typical Hollywood serial-killer films.
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Good but standard
Added 4/28/2008
While not a bad movie as many seem to believe, "Henry 2" of course doesn't compare to the classic original. The innovative, stark horror was there in the first film; it isn't present in any great degree in the sequel. So this is basically a good, standard thriller, a nice follow-up but not really the same type of film.
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Unnecessary follow up to a classic
Added 3/1/2008
The original Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer remains one of the most powerful films I've ever seen. It was perfect through and through just as it was, no need for anymore. The bulk of these reviews here should have been an indication to avoid this one, not to mention the idea of a sequel to Henry instantly struck me as completely unnecessary, but being the hardcore fan I am I simply could not resist.(Especially after finding a second hand VHS copy for a buck). Needless to say the price was right, and this sequel proved to be almost completely unsatisfying.
With not a single returning cast member, we continue the story of Henry shortly after the events of the first film. After living in homeless shelters among other places, drifter Henry gets a job cleaning and delivering port-o-johns. A fellow employee and his wife take pity on him and rent him a bedroom in their home along with their eccentric and suicidal niece. Henry soon discovers his pal is an arsonist for hire and joins him to make extra cash. However Henry introduces him to his world of random killing when he disposes of two trespassers on the premises. Now as Henry's accomplice, he becomes absorbed into the world of murder. As time goes by he decides that he can't handle it, but Henry will not take no for an answer.
One thing becomes very evident about 10 minutes into this film: Without Michael Rooker playing Henry, this is just not going to work. Neil Giuntoli, although one of the more credible actors in the film, just doesn't make a good Henry. He is pudgy, his personality is more aggressive and outspoken this time around, and as a result the character in this film simply does not reflect the character in the original. Henry 2: Mask of Sanity suffers major downgrades in everything from acting, to gore, to realism. Gone is the gritty documentary feel, instead it becomes very obvious by the opening scene that we are watching a movie, stripping the premise of any suspense or realistic atmosphere.
Overall this is a very diluted and ineffective follow up to a masterpiece and really should not have been made. I've decided to give it two stars because albeit a weak effort, it was never boring and the pacing was decent. Also because I got a very good laugh out of a scene where Henry pushes two kids off their bikes, the children then looking at each other bewildered and say "He pushed us", as if we didn't just witness it happen. I really wouldn't recommend this even to hardcore fans of the original. If curiosity leads you into it, you'll soon see why.
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Herny is Back!
Added 3/28/2007
Well are favorite Serial killer is back. This time he gets a job cleaning Port a Potties. This leads him to staying with the Husband and Wife who run the place. Cricket is the female lead who you just might reconize from Grey's Anatomys.(Kate Walsh) Any ways he discovers his boss is a Arsonist for hire. Well this is right Herny's alley he gets to burn things for cash. Well they run into problems at one of the sites and have to kill a couple of teens. Henery tries to lead his boss down a path of murder for fun. He follows at first but even with booze and drugs he finds he does not have the guts for it. Well as you can tell it a wild romp for Henry and his new friends. It does not have that same creepy feel as the first one but it does offer a pretty good second film. It still has those uneasy moments that make Henry a creepy kind of film. Just go into film knowing it is not as good as the first but still offers some good bits for a second edition in the life and times of are favorite Serial Killer.
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lead is wrong
Added 8/16/2006
Solid cast, with the exception of the lead. Rooker from the first one should have been back, as well as the original director and writer: John McNaughton and Richard Fire, respectively.
This director here doesn't seem to get suspense--and it hurt the film. There is just no beating the original. Too bad McNaughton and the rest from the first flick did not come back for an encore--because now, even if they did, it might be way too late.
It's kind of sad, because McNaughton might have had a far bigger/impressive film career if he had.
Skip this one. See the original (20 year anni issue, etc.). It will give you chills.
3 out of 4 people found this helpful.
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Henry II - Portait of a Serial Killer
Added 11/2/2008
A good film of its type, which is more realistic than a typical Hollywood serial-killer films.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
|
Good but standard
Added 4/28/2008
While not a bad movie as many seem to believe, "Henry 2" of course doesn't compare to the classic original. The innovative, stark horror was there in the first film; it isn't present in any great degree in the sequel. So this is basically a good, standard thriller, a nice follow-up but not really the same type of film.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
|
Unnecessary follow up to a classic
Added 3/1/2008
The original Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer remains one of the most powerful films I've ever seen. It was perfect through and through just as it was, no need for anymore. The bulk of these reviews here should have been an indication to avoid this one, not to mention the idea of a sequel to Henry instantly struck me as completely unnecessary, but being the hardcore fan I am I simply could not resist.(Especially after finding a second hand VHS copy for a buck). Needless to say the price was right, and this sequel proved to be almost completely unsatisfying.
With not a single returning cast member, we continue the story of Henry shortly after the events of the first film. After living in homeless shelters among other places, drifter Henry gets a job cleaning and delivering port-o-johns. A fellow employee and his wife take pity on him and rent him a bedroom in their home along with their eccentric and suicidal niece. Henry soon discovers his pal is an arsonist for hire and joins him to make extra cash. However Henry introduces him to his world of random killing when he disposes of two trespassers on the premises. Now as Henry's accomplice, he becomes absorbed into the world of murder. As time goes by he decides that he can't handle it, but Henry will not take no for an answer.
One thing becomes very evident about 10 minutes into this film: Without Michael Rooker playing Henry, this is just not going to work. Neil Giuntoli, although one of the more credible actors in the film, just doesn't make a good Henry. He is pudgy, his personality is more aggressive and outspoken this time around, and as a result the character in this film simply does not reflect the character in the original. Henry 2: Mask of Sanity suffers major downgrades in everything from acting, to gore, to realism. Gone is the gritty documentary feel, instead it becomes very obvious by the opening scene that we are watching a movie, stripping the premise of any suspense or realistic atmosphere.
Overall this is a very diluted and ineffective follow up to a masterpiece and really should not have been made. I've decided to give it two stars because albeit a weak effort, it was never boring and the pacing was decent. Also because I got a very good laugh out of a scene where Henry pushes two kids off their bikes, the children then looking at each other bewildered and say "He pushed us", as if we didn't just witness it happen. I really wouldn't recommend this even to hardcore fans of the original. If curiosity leads you into it, you'll soon see why.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
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