MOVIE REVIEW: “THE JESTER 2” Is A Enjoyable However Uneven Observe-up

By  JESS BLACK

Starring Jessica Ambuehl, Michael Sheffield and Kaitlyn Trentham
Directed by Colin Krawchuk
Written by Colin Krawchuk and Michael Sheffield
Epic Pictures Group

Creepy, kooky and stuffed with devilishly good lore, THE JESTER 2 introduces a contemporary world for Colin Krawchuck’s Satanic clown however doesn’t fairly ship on the slashery goodness many people hoped for. Art, Pennywise, and the Killer Klowns type one thing of a hellish pantheon of greasepaint-wearing menaces, so any newcomer to the evil clown subgenre has large (floppy) sneakers to fill. And Jester… Well, I’d be mendacity if I mentioned the Jester has develop into one in all these horror greats, however I’d even be doing him a disservice if I didn’t say simply how nice he’s. 

From the second the Jester pulls an countless stream of handkerchiefs from the gullet of a drunken simpleton, it’s clear this clown isn’t your primary easy knives-and-guns sort of killer (Although, after all, he does use them generally, too!) No, the Jester makes use of conventional stage magic to make his kills progressive, memorable and infrequently fairly enjoyable; the simplicity of a body-swap trick turns into a fab twist on a witchy execution, and close-up magic has by no means been so creepy! 

Indeed, it’s in these moments of magic-based horror that the movie actually shines. Director Colin Krawchuck takes the time to point out off a very good phantasm, giving the kills a kind of authenticity and aptitude that actually stands out amidst different clown slashers. (One memorable scene incorporates a card trick in what seems to be a single, unbroken shot, harking back to Now You See Me’s well-known first scene.)

And it’s not simply the kills that make you’re keen on the Jester. His look completes the terrifying package deal. A giant shout-out to the particular FX staff of Ambria Pierson and Kyle Roberts for giving this clown a really distinctive look. Without spoiling something, he will get a significant improve from the primary movie, highlighted in a really horrible, face-ripping introduction. The Jester’s mix of scarred flesh and damaged masks is really unnerving. (Can somebody please make an motion determine of this as a matter of urgency?) 

Another wonderful component of this movie lies in its world-building, which, whereas not for everybody, strikes me as an important a part of establishing a grounded slasher franchise. While the primary film relied on extra kills (not a nasty factor, for certain!), right here we get a wealth of historical past of who Jester is and why he behaves as he does. Much of this lore is delivered by means of the eyes of Max (Kaitlyn Trentham), our protagonist, and a really likable one. Reminiscent of the kind of “down-on-your-luck” youngsters you may get in a Goosebumps guide, Trentham’s efficiency actually drives the narrative, and I hope to see extra of her in future installments of the franchise.

Now, is THE JESTER  2 good? Far from it. The fascinating lore and enjoyable kills can’t distract you from the meandering plot (or maybe, lack thereof), which makes the primary half of the film troublesome to actually get behind. The perfect slashers begin robust, introducing you to the killable characters, the risk and maybe a macguffin with which the monster could be slain. Narratively, Jester 2 doesn’t comply with this components –  to its detriment. 

Characters are launched simply moments earlier than they’re slain, the Jester’s motives are launched about 40 minutes in and there appears to be no possible way of stopping him. And not in a cool “unstoppable Jason Voorhees” sort of manner, however extra of a “Well, what’s the point” sort of manner. This all leaves one with the impression that THE JESTER  2  has good vibes and actual potential, however isn’t fairly a totally fashioned story. It is an enchancment on the primary outing however nonetheless falls wanting totally partaking the viewers. From the solid to the partaking killer to the backstory, all the important thing components of a traditional are there; it simply wants a stronger plot and a extra assured edit to actually ship on them.

If you’re like me, you’re an absolute sucker for killer clowns, so I used to be stuffed with spooky hypothesis when Colin Krawchuck’s second outing for the undead magician was introduced. While removed from a slasher traditional, it exhibits promise and is a enjoyable romp by means of a magical playground that leaves me wanting extra. Watch it, get pleasure from it, and for God’s sake, begin a petition for some Jester motion figures. My show case is begging for it!