THE DESCENT: PART 2

UK, 2009, 94 minutes, Colour.
Shauna Macdonald, Natalie Jackson Mendoza, Krysten Cummings, Gavan O’ Herlihy, Joshua Dallas, Anna Skellern, Douglas Hodge.
Directed by Jon Harris.

For some reason, I found watching this film a more creepy experience than many another terror and horror film – creepy in the sense that I felt the claustrophobic oppression of the search for the missing women in the deep subterranean caves, the closing in of the walls of the caves, the darkness, the potential for rock collapses (which do happen), the isolation... (Somebody else told me that she was thinking that the caves looked like film sets so she didn't feel claustrophobic, so there you are...!) I was more affected by this sequel than the original which was well done of its frightening kind.

Actually, Part 2 follows immediately from the original. Sarah (Shauna Macdonald) escapes from the caves where she and her companions had been exploring and had encountered creeping, sightless creatures, who tracked their victims by sound, attacking and devouring them – with more than a touch of gore and blood. And also actually, the follow-up re-runs much of the plot, atmosphere and effects of the original – and proves itself a sound and solid sequel.

A group of police and caving experts descend into the caves in the Appalachian mountains (which look quite beautiful, especially in many aerial shots). And, there is a redneck sheriff who takes no notice of warnings about firing his gun and causing an avalanche (which he does). As before, groups separate and are pursued by the creeping creatures who wreak the same kind of devastation.

A principally British cast assume their American accents for the searching troop.

Writing this, the eerie atmosphere of the dark and claustrophobic caves returns – so the film must have been effective.

1.The film presupposing the original film? Its ability to stand alone?

2.The impact of the first film: action, cave exploring, terror and creatures, horror?

3.The formula and its being repeated? Effectively?

4.The claustrophobic atmosphere of the film, the depths of the Earth, the caves, the rocks and the possibility of collapse and crushing, difficulties in breathing, people being trapped, the dark, the need for silence?

5.The creatures, their visualisation, the threat, destructive, creating terror, their cannibalising the victims? The initial shock with Sarah at the truck?

6.The beauty of the Appalachian Mountains, ordinary, the roads, the vehicles, the police, the hospital, the media?

7.Sarah, her escape, being taken to hospital, her amnesia, the encounters with the sheriff and Rios? The decision that she should return to the caves? Going to the Chapel Shaft? Going down, the lights, the team and the spirit, leadership, the issue of guns and rock collapse?

8.The initial plot, the expedition, the girls, their experience, the terror, the clashes, Juno and Sarah? Greg finding the camera and the recapitulation of the first film? Seeing the creatures? The search for the missing girls? The repetition of the initial plot? The difficulties, the creatures pursuing, the deaths? The gory touches, the blood?

9.Rios and the sheriff, interrogating Sarah? The orders, going to the mine, fears? Rios and her love for her daughter? The difficulties, Rios following the others, having to cope? Believing Sarah, the experience of the creatures, the peril, Sarah helping Rios, the sheriff and his shooting, the collapse of the boulders, his reappearing, Juno finding him and saving him? Rios and Sarah going through the water, into the cesspool? Rios and the sheriff, having to cut off his hand? The finale, Sarah sacrificing herself for Rios, Rios and her message to her daughter on the phone, free – and the sudden and brutal ending?

10.The team, the issues of jurisdiction, taking guns, the leadership? The wise leader? Greg and Cath? Their past experience? Adventurous spirit, the cave-in, Cath and her being left, the creatures dragging her, her escape? Greg, his help? Their finding the body on the stalactite? Cath having to leap, Greg leaping to save her from the creature, his death? Cath’s dying? The sheriff, a good man, his being pursued by the creatures? Greg suddenly appearing at the feeding ground of the creatures, his death?

11.Juno, her story, her appearing, saving the sheriff, in the cave, the fight with Sarah, the explanation of this, finally the two helping each other, the final attack, Juno saying she was sorry to Sarah?

12.Sarah, the experience, the amnesia, helping Rios, the tactics, her self-sacrificing death?

13.The effects of the Chapel Shaft, the shaft and the lift, the tension in the lift, the tunnels, the tracks, the caves?

14.The creatures and their story, prey, with the animal, human food?

15.The end, the local man confronting Rios, hitting her, the scream?

16.The effect on the audience, claustrophobic, terror and horror, the thriller – with nightmare overtones?