Basket Case 2 (1990)

As a longtime fan of horror films any chance to see iconic figures return to the screen in a movie that is as good as the original is a great thing. Far too often rather than find a movie that captures the originality of the first film we are treated to Hollywood renditions of the characters that fall far short of what we loved. That isn't the case with BASKETCASE 2.The first film told the story of Duane Bradley (Kevin Van Hentenryck) and his brother Belial. These were no ordinary brothers While Duane appeared normal Belial was more of an appendage, a massive growth on Duane's side that was removed years earlier and is now carried around in a wicker basket by Duane. Belial also had a penchant for attacking and killing people with well sharpened fangs as opposed to teeth. At the end of the first film it appeared the duo had died falling from a building.As this film opens we discover that wasn't the case. Instead the pair have survived the fall and been taken away by Granny Ruth (Annie Ross) and her daughter Susan (Heather Rattray) to a home she runs especially for people like Duane and Belial. This is a gathering of "freaks" like none ever seen before. Misshapen bodies and heads abound all belonging to individuals we end up meeting along the way. We have a group here that has come to learn how to live in this world without having to fear judgement among their peers.But of course the odds of this group living here peacefully isn't long. In a world filled with media coverage of everything possible and with Duane and Belial on the lam from the law in the wake of bodies left behind by Belial, a reporter comes snooping in hopes of finding a story. The balance of the group's world will eventually come into question and the story may get out. No one knows until the film's end.Along the way are two romances as well. The first and most expected is between Duane and Susan. While Susan seems unaware of Duane's affections at first she eventually takes notice. The more unexpected romance is between Belial and another member of the house named Eve who looks nearly identical to him with the exception of being female.So what makes this film work? The fact that director/writer Frank Henenlotter doesn't treat his characters as what most would call them, "freaks". He recognizes them as characters in his story, as human beings who just happen to look different. This hasn't been done much in film and I can only recall the movie FREAKS as having done the same decades earlier. While their outward appearance might seem monstrous to those seeing them for the first time they come off as more human than many humans in the film.That Henenlotter was able to create a further story to match the original is wonderful. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying this is the greatest movie of all time. But I had a ton of fun watching this one and enjoyed it from start to finish. It's more polished than the original but one would expect that. The budget had to have been bigger and Henenlotter had gained more experience before this movie was made. It shows on the screen.The movie was successful enough to garner a follow up, a third chapter that unfortunately was a straight to video (at the time) film that didn't quite compare. But all of the movies lend themselves to some gore filled fun for horror fans. That Synapse has taken the time to bring this out in a blu-ray edition complete with a few extras says a lot about their dedication to keeping alive movies the mainstream overlooks. Fans will find this a must have for the collection. Those who want every movie in a series will want it as well. And horror fans should make a point of seeking it out and adding it as well. It's just that much fun.

Basket Case 2 (1990) ** (out of 4)Duane (Kevin Van Hentenryck) and his deformed brother managed to survive the ending of the previous film. After they escape their hospital room the duo are taken in by a woman (Annie Ross) who gives shelter to the deformed. Once at their new home the two try to settle in with other freaks but a pesky news woman (Judy Grafe) won't leave them alone.BASKET CASE wasn't the greatest movie ever made but it contained a certain atmosphere and a certain look at the sleazy side of New York City that it was impossible to ignore. This sequel had a much bigger budget, is a lot less sleazy and has a completely different look but it's unique enough to where it's entertaining in its own way. Director Frank Henenlotter certainly doesn't like making "normal" movies and this one here has enough strangeness for two films.Again, if you're expecting the look or feel of the original then it's best that you don't even bother with this sequel. What I enjoyed most is that they try to make this sequel pick up exactly where the original left off, which isn't something a lot of films try. I think for the most part it works but, again, it was impossible for them to get the look of the first film simply because times had changed by the time this was made. The deformed creatures here are also a lot different in that each of them has a terrific look, although none of them will be mistaken for humans. The special effects are excellent and you truly get some great imaginations at work with the creature design.Performances are actually better than you'd expect with Van Hentenryck doing a very good job in the lead. Fans of DAWN OF THE DEAD will be happy to see David Emge playing Moon Face. BASKET CASE 2 features some pretty tame violence up until the ending, which I won't spoil but it packs a nice little punch.

Basket Case 2 takes place right after the original. And, if you've seen the original, you may be in for a surprise. The first instalment was pretty dark - about a young man who carries his psychotic miniature deformed brother around in a basket. However, number two immediately changes the genre slightly into more of a wacky comedy (yes, with a few murders in, but mainly it's played for laughs).A lot of people who saw the first film see it as a cult classic (yes, it's cheesy, but still pretty enjoyable nonetheless), so when number two shifted gear it took a lot of stick. Not only does the overall atmosphere change, but the central two characters - one being the 'basket case' himself - are slightly pushed out of the forefront of the story - another reason Basket Case purists see the sequels as a step in the wrong direction.However, if you look at number two on its own, it's reasonably enjoyable (in a silly kind of dumb way). Number three follows on from number two straight away, but keeps the same comedy feel with horror as a secondary part to it.I quite enjoyed all three of them. However, the general consensus is that you should stick to the first one if you like horror films. The next two are pretty wacky. You have to be in the mood for such silliness, or a complete basket case (which I obviously am).

The lad and his freak twin who fell out of an upper floor window in the first film and were seen at the end lying, bleeding, dead on the ground, apparently didn't die after all. In fact, the freak looks better than he did in the first one.The reason for that is a substantially larger budget (due to the success of the first movie), enabling a much better quality monster to be created to the same basic design. This larger budget also stretched towards constructing other freaks/freak makeup, and having a Name in the cast list (Scots jazz singer Annie Ross, who played Robert Vaughn's sister in Superman III).The story is different but not a lot better. The acting is a bit better, and the film is more professionally made, hence I rate it higher than its dreadful predecessor.