The Descent: Part 2 Trailer

Did You Just Sh*t Your Pants, Or Are You Happy to See Me?

By Dustin Rowles | Posted Under Trailers | Comments (19)

Based on the new trailer for The Descent: Part 2 alone, I’m not willing to completely write off the sequel to one of the best horror movies of the decade. It’s difficult to tell, really, what to expect: The trailer, necessarily, will focus on the kills and the blood. The original Descent, however, was more about tension, suspense, and claw-at-your throat, shit-in-your pants terror, which is something that you couldn’t capture in a trailer in any respect. My fear, unfortunately, is that it will turn more into a monster movie that focuses too much on the horror cum shots, and not enough on the quiet, terror-filled moments in between.

Neil Marshall, who directed the original, bailed on this one (he’s serving as a producer), but he’s promised that he’s left the film in capable hands, Jon Harris, who edited the first movie (in addition to the exceptional Starter for 10 and the upcoming Kick-Ass). I’m more worried about the writers. There are three of them (none of them with any notable credits), and three writers are hardly ever better than one. It may very well be a cash-in job, but if it is, it’ll likely work in eliciting my movie money in the off chance that The Descent Part 2 is half as good as the original.

Check out the trailer:

Follow @pajiba

← The Enigma of Kaspar Hauser | Transylmania Trailer →

Comments

What are the best horror movies since 2000?

Posted by: John W at August 31, 2009 6:20 PM

is that it will turn more into a monster movie that focuses too much on the horror cum shots, and not enough on the quiet, terror-filled moments in between.

I really wish you'd like blood/gore/violence/slashing/hacking/stabbing/beating/assaulting/skinning/
decapitating/dismembering/disembowling/ripping/peeling/poking/prodding/
films...it makes me sad that you always just bash them outright. I love those films...I like them better then the mental horror you like, because mental horror bores me. There's nothing they can mind fuck me with anymore. All the moves have been played, they can only try to do it in new ways, all of which are easy to read. At least the slasher/gore films keep coming up with new ways to kill people.

The real gems, combine them both.

Posted by: Deistbrawler at August 31, 2009 6:23 PM

I'm really not sure I can get behind this one, DR. As it's a sequel and not even in the hands of the original director, there's almost no hope of it being good.

Posted by: lizzieborden at August 31, 2009 6:28 PM

This looks like the non-event of the year. It might be decent, but like most sequels it begs the question, "What's the point?". The answer is made obvious by your previous post about disposable horror movies: profit. Which is fair enough, I suppose. But it's hardly an inspiring answer.

Posted by: TSF at August 31, 2009 6:31 PM

I don't know.

It looks OK, on the strength of the trailer. And the fact that there's an editor behind its direction bodes well, I suspect. If nothing else, it's likely to have some great holy-fuck-what's-Andy-Serkis-doing-down-here-for-the-love-of-God-arrrgh moments.

Posted by: Squrrox at August 31, 2009 6:42 PM

I think the plot description on io9 will serve as a suitable crushing of any and all hopes for this movie.

http://io9.com/5349128/descent-2-trailer-goes-back-in-the-cave-leaves-logic-far-behind

Posted by: the_wakeful at August 31, 2009 6:51 PM

Okay, thanks the_wakeful

SPOILERS*****************

So Sarah is the sole survivor right? She.....

AMERICAN VERSION SPOILERS*********************

She doesn't make it out though. That's the thing. She goes crazy and the whole escape is in her mind, Brazil style. Are they changing that?

I read in the American one that the ending was cut? Is that true? Did she escape in the Land of the Free? In that case the story makes sense... for American audiences.

I guess it doesn't really matter. It's just an excuse to get people in a cave. But still... I have little faith.

Posted by: TSF at August 31, 2009 7:07 PM

CONTINUED SPOILER***************

You are correct, sir. In the American one she actually does get out. The last scene where she runs to the car and a semi drives past is the end, there is no reveal of it being a dream.

END SPOILER********************

That being said, it was fucking stupid. I like the other version better.

Posted by: the_wakeful at August 31, 2009 7:46 PM

The Descent was one of the few movies I had a hard time watching, but it was damn good! The sense of claustrophobia was ridiculous. Part 2 has a lot to live up to.

Posted by: Christian at August 31, 2009 7:46 PM

So they did change the ending in Amurica?

AARGGHHH. I wanna punch a monkey.

Posted by: TSF at August 31, 2009 7:57 PM

Nah. Even before I read that plot description (and thanks for that, the_wakeful, you've saved me having to see it), that trailer didn't exactly fill me with confidence. You see more of the Creepers in that trailer than you did for almost the entire first movie, which never, ever bodes well for the 'supsensful horror' genre. When they've abandoned the "What's in the dark?" part of the film, all that's left is the grisly death. It's like porn starting while they're already naked and gyrating - sure, you'll get your money shot either way, but c'mon. At least give us the pretence of the pizza delivery outfit.

Posted by: Shay at August 31, 2009 8:11 PM

Shay, that was exactly my thought. Like in Signs when they show the aliens; that's when the movie completely fell apart for me. A tiny glimmer of doubt about what's attacking you ratchets up the terror far out of proportion.

I think a fair comparison might be the trailer for the first movie. Did it focus more on mental terror or the blood-and-guts?

Posted by: Geetch at August 31, 2009 10:17 PM

I found The Descent scarier before the monsters showed up. I don't really get claustrophobic, but I was seriously considering skipping the bit where they're crawling through that tunnel and it starts collapsing... Ugh, now I feel sick.

Posted by: James at September 1, 2009 5:35 AM

For fans of the Descent, which seems to be pretty much this whole site, try renting 'Eden Lake' another English film made by the same producers.

Although not quite as brilliant, I would strongly recommend all horror fans to check it out, especially Desitbrawler (it strays into torture porn territory in certain parts, so not for everyone!)

It stars Michael Fassbender of Hunger fame and has an 83% tomatometer rating compared to the Descents 84%. Check it out!

Posted by: hh at September 1, 2009 7:59 AM

Sounds interesting, hh, I'll definitely check it out.

I also agree with James that my palms were sweaty way before any monsters appeared. I don't consider myself claustrophobic either (I have no problem with MRIs, for example), but the idea of wriggling through tight spaces, not even knowing for sure that you were going anywhere, with all that earth above you, and total blindness if your flashlight failed...ick. Ick. ICK.

Posted by: DeadBessie at September 1, 2009 8:32 AM

When I watched The Descent, I was under the mistaken impression that it was a psychological thriller--something about people cracking up during a caving expedition gone wrong. Imagine my FUCKING SURPRISE when the first Crawler appeared, standing behind that one girl, in night vision. I screamed out loud.

Point being, that was the most frightened I have ever been as an adult watching a scary movie (as a kid it was NAREK from Watcher In The Woods). How could this sequel possibly live up to that?

I'll see it anyway. But I'll grumble. Oh, I'll grumble.

Posted by: Cara at September 1, 2009 11:05 PM

But she didn't survive! She's dead! I don't care what happened in the American ending!

Posted by: Daniel Hall at September 2, 2009 3:08 AM

The original film is my favorite horror movie of all time. One of the most compelling aspects of the film was the exploration of relationships between women (after all, they are stuck in a "cave"). The new trailer has like 4 guys in it; clearly they've abandoned that theme...

Posted by: Zilla at September 4, 2009 11:07 AM

Oh my god, "The Watcher In The Woods"!

Nightmares for months. MONTHS.

Posted by: Norwego at September 8, 2009 7:47 PM

Pajiba

Pajiba: Reviews, Commentary, Angst

Did You Just Sh*t Your Pants, Or Are You Happy to See Me?

Comments