The Descent: Part 2 (2009)
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It’s been four years since the fantastic British horror film The Descent was released so for me, the sequel had a lot to live up to and after such a gap in time I was unsure if it could live up to it’s predecessor. If you are unfamiliar with The Descent, the story revolves around a group of friends who go potholing on an adventure holiday but they soon realize they are exploring wrong cave system and become trapped inside. While trying to find a way out they realize there’s something down in the darkness waiting for them.
So for all of you up to date, the sequel seamlessly continues from the first film. Sarah (Shauna Macdonald) has made it out of the caves and is now in hospital with no memory of the horrors she just endured, answering your inevitable question of why she agrees to go back down. So while we’re all screaming at the screen and pulling our hair out, Sarah, a team of
caving experts, the local sheriff and another officer start the descent into the caves to try and find her lost friends. As Sarah hits the bottom of cave system the flash backs start and she starts to remember. By the time she realizes it was all real and not a nightmare it is too late and the fight to survive starts again.Inevitably, one of the major problems a writer or director will face when making a sequel is how to recapture the fear we had first time round. Most sequels don’t make the cut (pun not intended) but The Descent Part 2 has pulled it off fantastically. The Descent is actually at a disadvantage because it is a monster film and as we’ve already seen the creature we know what to expect. I think
we’ve all at one time felt utter disappointment in the past when the monster is revealed and it’s just not that scary (Jeepers Creepers anyone?). Well luckily the creatures in The Descent are hideous and incredibly frightening and The Descent: Part 2 not only recaptures that initial fear we had, but manages to make it more terrifying. The Descent Part 2 follows the clichéd movie sequel rules: it has more violence, more gore and more gross out scenes than the first. We know what’s coming it’s just a matter of when and new director Jon Harris manages to time it right so that we’re all jumping out of our seats in unison. Whereas the first film may have been a slow starter to build up tension, we are thrust in to the action from the get go with this one.
I have to say this film is incredibly stressful to watch. We know there are bat-like creatures down there, just waiting for
their next meal and we know any noise will attract them. It takes all your will not to shout at the screen “Get out! Get out! And shut up!!” Not to mention how claustrophobic this film is. In the darkness of the theatre you are involved with the team, it is like you are there. We get a better look at these deformed human-bat creatures, with all their oozing mouths and blank-blind eyes, it’s really chilling to see them up close. The make up and special effects for these creatures is phenomenal and a joy to watch. Well if you can call oozing creatures a “joy”, this is about as close as you’ll get. The use of the night vision cameras is also great technique to make the audience feel like they’re in the caves with them.
Shauna Macdonald reprises her role of Sarah fantastically, she doesn’t have much dialogue but her eyes show the pain she’s suffered, and although at first she is timid, weak and confused, back in the darkness she becomes that bad ass chick we saw in the first film. The best thing about this film though is that you’re never sure exactly what will happen and it will keep you guessing as to what will happen until the very end.
This is a great follow up to the original and has a great ending that leaves you wanting more, in that sick perverted way a good horror film is meant to. It’s got suspense, gore and is well written so that fans of the original will not be disappointed. It’s definitely worth seeing but I am implore you to watch the first one if you haven’t already!
| Posted on November 16, 2009 - 11:28pm | Kidsbecool |









Will there be a The Descent Part 3?
The Descent part 2 is a very good sequel to a classic masterpiece.. Good Job Neil Marshall for making this!
A Fantastic Movie. I still am not sure which one was better they are both so amazing. Kudos to Mcdonald and all who crafted this truly amazing series.
Just saw the movie. It had a few jumping moments but stupid ones as well. I didn't understand the ending. The first one was definitely the best one.
it's a fun movie compared to recent horror dvd releases. worth a watch, but after a few days just fun and forgettable. this movie is probably a must-see for those who loved the first one, but for someone who's just looking for a creature feature, watch district 9 if you haven't seen it....descent 2 may be the freshest horror flick out but the best creature feature and better overall movie in the new release section is probably a row or two below descent 2....
Okay so I just finished watching this. I didn't think it'd be as good as it actually was. But the ending I really liked. I kind of was wondering what was going to go on afterwards and it kind of left it open in case they were thinking about making another movie. Well, that's at least the way I looked at it. But other than that, I really enjoyed this movie and the story line was pretty damn good if you ask me.
just finished watching the descent 2 and i was really impressed. good story and great directing. it doesn't go far from the first story and really doesn't take it in any new directions but to me that was refreshing. i really didn't find it any more gory or bloody than the first.it has a few good twist that i didn't see coming and the ending leaves you guessing. bring on the next, i will galdly watch.
Finally got to see this last week. Gory with alot of gross parts. Cool to see some original cast members make it back too. I was very pleased. The swinging from the dead lady scene...sick!
A year and a half ago, when this film was first announced, I would have said that there was not a chance in hell I would end up giving it a 9 star rating, I thought wrong. I loved the first film, I loved it enough to see it 4 times in theaters, and when I heard that a sequel was in the works I was less then thrilled. How could they tarnish the memory and reputation of such an instant cult classic? Well, it turns out... they didn't. Most of the crew and the two principal leads from the first film are back for this outing, and I'm damn glad of it. Original director Neil Marshall is credited as Executive Producer and Editor Jon Harris takes the hot seat. I am aware of course that the original cut of the first film didn't even allow for the possibility of a sequel, since they chose to follow up on the America ending however... here we are. Shauna Macdonald returns as Sarah, who at first has no memory of the events that transpired down in the cave, she is traumatized and confused, but the authorities need her assistance in finding her lost companions, all of whom are rotting corpses by now, all except for one. Aside from the sheriff character, The acting (just as it was in the first) is exceptional, we believe in these people and their actions. Since not as much time is spent on individual character development, I was not as emotionally invested as I was the first time around, but there a few moments here and there punctuated by the solid acting that ring sincere enough to pull at my heartstrings. The violence is more gruesome and over the top, complete with Evil Dead style blood gushing, and the crawlers are given more personality. The sets are larger in scale and appear to be a little too well lit at times, but that's okay, nothing can top the sense of claustrophobia and total darkness that the first film achieved, and this one doesn't try. I initially intended to give this film a lower rating but you know what? It's incredibly hard to make a decent sequel these days, let alone a sequel to something as masterful as The Descent, but I'll be damned if these guys didn't pull it off, and in excellent fashion. Sketchy start aside, This is one kick ass horror sequel, it may not quite get there in terms of sheer nightmarish mood like the original, but it seamlessly continues the story and breathes avid amounts of fun and energy into the adrenaline fueled fight for life that these films are all about. I have read numerous reviews over the last couple of days, many written by people claiming to be "diehard fans of the original", and personally.. I grew tired of reading the same complaints over and over. So let me take the time to address some of the these complaints right now. One, that the film shouldn't exist because of the ending of the first film, have you people all forgotten that Evil Dead 2, one of the best horror sequels ever made, completely sidestepped the ending of it's predecessor as well? This movie exists, so stop bitching and watch it. Two, that the plot is hopelessly predictable, well so what? does that mean that you can't have fun with it? Three, too many cliches, well has it ever occurred to you cynics out there that the cliches may be playful old school horror homage? And four, that all psychological depth is gone, well I both agree and disagree with that, while this film does sacrifice complexity for more basic stripped down straight ahead blood and guts horror, I still feel that the characters are constantly forced to make decisions conflicting their moral standards, and thus strains their conscience. The bottom line is: watch this film with an open mind and just have fun with it, it's not on the same level as the first film, but it entertains without fail on a level of it's own. It's a real shame that it didn't get the US theatrical release that it deserved.
Im a die hard fan of the first one,& I been waiting for a long time for the sequal to come, theres not a day when I wounder if Sarah ever made it out of the cave.
After I saw the Trailer, I had Low expectations,After I saw that Neil Marshall Wasn't going to direct it, I lost all hope,The day finally came, & I was amazed,I think this is the best Sequal since Aliens, its funny because the first one was the best thriller since Alien...Loved every minute of it,best twisted ending since the Shining
I give this movie a 10/5 stars
Just watched this movie last night and not as good as I'd hoped it would, but it was alright. The big problem for me was the blood it all looked like tomato soup to me lol
If I were to review it myself I'd probably slap on a 7/10. Sure it's basically the same as the first and offers a lot of plot-holes, but I still had fun watching it and sometimes that's all that matters
Horrible film, it is a complete recycle of the first only cheaper and more idiotic. This is nowhere near an 8, it's a 4.
The wait is up I've finally seen the descent part 2 and well, lets just say I'm mixed upon this film.I've only seen the Uk version of the first film where EVERYONE DIES!!So for me that was a bit of a hurdle to start with seeing as Sarah is the star here. But disregarding that.
I felt this sequel was a little bit Americanised, The first 10 mins were a little bit, well shit and poorly scripted, But as soon as the excuses have been made to get people into the caves things change the claustrophobia returns and things pick up without letting go for the duration. The cave dwellers are great the gore has been ramped up, in some places it's a little over the top drawing a little from the realism but thats no real biggie. The final 20 mins or so are relentless, the jumps throughout are superbly placed making me jump repeatedly which is not an easy feat as I'm a hardened horror addict.
Overall I enjoyed this, it had alot to live up to and it faired really well I've marked it down a little as the script really is not as good as it could've been, the cinematography isn't a patch on the original losing a little of the scale of the caves n surrounding areas and as I say it's americanisation has taken the grit out of it adding a little too many bells and whistles but on the whole I can recommend this it's well above average but not a classic.
What a typical horror movies...
I mean, after what she's been thru, why would she bother going down again?
But hey, if she didn't go down there again, Descent 2 won't be here to watch
I'm gonna watch it for sure
if you read the review she went down cause of memory loss.
i just finished watching the descent part 1 for the first time, and i loved it, very good movie


cant wait to part 2
i hope its as good as the first one has nyone watched it tell us if it is good coz i dnt wana get exited 4 nothin
I would love to see this. i enjoyed the first one. but does anyone know of a u.s. release date yet??
Can you guys please take down that pic in the review (bottom left) as it spoils a major twist about the film. One of the reasons I liked this film so much was because I didnt see that coming. Please don't spoil this bit for everyone else.
I suppose for someone who hasn't been following the project it may come as a surprise, but those who have should already be aware of her return. In fact, not only has the pic been in the UHM gallery for a while, it even says she returns on the Descent 2 page: http://upcominghorrormovies.com/movie/descent-part-2
However, I will still remove the pic for those who were somehow left unaware.
No offense, but everyone saw that coming.
I was at the world premiere with two other friends and all three of us were surprised by it. I also spoke to 3 other horror fans after the show and only one said that they had guessed that part. So, no offense, but 5/6 people who are horror fans that watched it with me didnt see it coming