Back in Black
Film: The Woman in Black 2: Angel of Death
Cast: Phoebe Fox, Jeremy Irvine, Helen McCrory
Directed by: Tom Harper
Duration: 1 hr 38 mins
Rating: * * 1 / 2
Susan Hills popular ghost story The Woman in Black was
adapted as a film in 2011 and since it was a commercial success the sequel has
followed suit. Apart from the economics, I don’t see any reason why this film
was made, it is not a terrible sequel but there isn’t a great deal to write
home about either.
The original film starred Daniel Radcliffe and since his
character dies at the end he is not in this film although the chance of
bringing him back as a ghost couldn’t have been ruled out.
The film is set during WWII and people of Crythin Gifford
have left the village. Barring the ghost and an old caretaker, there is no one
there. With the war in full swing , children are rescued and sent to more safer
places. In this case, they don’t find any better place than the rather eerie
village. Eve Parkins (Phoebe Fox) is a kind hearted teacher and the
headmistress (Helen McCrory) is rather strict lady. With a handful of kids in
tow they land in the old haunted Eel Marsh mansion.
The first target for the ghoul is a young boy Edward, who
doesn’t speak and slowly the evil starts spreading around. Ms. Parkins also has
a suitor in the form of a fighter pilot who is the only other resident in that
part of the world.
As it had to be, the young teacher also becomes a target of
the haunted spirit and it all comes to an end with the expected explanations.
Angel of Death has the occasional spark but for many parts
it is just dull. At no point is enough interested evoked in the characters,
including the ghost. Luckily, the director has restrained himself from
overdoing the standard tropes seen in horror films. Relative newcomer Phoebe
Fox as the leading lady has put up a good show but otherwise this ghost
business is average fare.
Published in The Navhind Times on 4th Jan 2015
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