The sequel feels promising. The beginning delivers that menacing momentum. It picks up a few days after the events of the first film. Its transition goes right to have its shock value. That “shock value” is the menacing grins (aka the title itself). Smile 2 holds its grip on terror. The redundancy comes around.
There is a form of feeling like an old-school horror film. That is because the opening title feels like an Alfred Hitchcock approach. There is a red background over the sequencing (of the introduction). From this, the film begins on a high note (creating discomfort for scares). The progression of Smile 2 remains average.
The new target of a nightmare is Skye Riley (played by Naomi Scott). Skye is a high-profile pop artist with a massive following. She has a deadly past of addiction and burning bridges, but her fame is the center of her life. Her life spirals downward when a fatal turn of events has evil followed her repeatedly. Beginning with dark moments from a friend named Lewis (played by Lukas Gage), a pattern of an unstoppable force is in every corner of Skye.
The image in Skye’s head seems to be people who “smile” incessantly. It contains an omen-like vibe. It comes to her mind every day. The horror puts her label in jeopardy. The evil does not stop.
It is entertaining for the first ninety minutes. After that, it seems that important points from the first film are thrown in to wrap up easily. It goes down the path of having more destruction evolve vigorously. There are moments with car chases and hospital peril. Hence the definition of redundancy. The many elements of suspense come together when a situation is awry.
The events from the first film are (almost) forgettable. It is looped in briefly (not entirely). Smile 2 tries to bring the evil to a new level (by tying it in to expand it with an artist). The burning bridges are all around the demonic “smiles.” It is a (gradual) sequel where momentum is in tune (at the top of the film), but then quirkiness alters its sophistication. That is because the twists tend to show up (without explanation). It is a concert tour going down the slippery slope of mass destruction. There are many “smiles” at concerts for audiences, but this one may not have the type of movie audiences may anticipate.
The direction of director Parker Finn fuels characterization. The performance of Scott is where Smile 2 delivers the terrifying factors. That is because she is the one who possesses extreme anxiety. She must run from the demons. She must deal with the tormenting moving parts. The state of anxiety (in Scott’s performance) is where the tension of Smile 2 boils inevitably. The craziness of unexplained evil (creating a dangerous impact) fuels the fire. While the rest of the film is a blur, its main character is the savior. It is still invigorating to be thought-provoking. Its execution is (slightly) flawed—two out of four stars for Smile 2.
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