ericbill0

Okay... I am a HUGE fan of the horror genre from WAY back. I tend to cut horror films (especially low-budget indies) more slack than I would other films. In fact, often these low-budget chillers wind up being among my favorites of the genre (NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD, EVIL DEAD, SHATTER DEAD...).

I'm also a big fan of the original AMERICAN PSYCHO as directed by Mary Harron. It's quite a different sort of beast from the Brett Easton novel on which it is based (the book is FAR more disturbing - and more darkly humorous - than could ever be considered for the big screen), but the filmmakers were able to successfully translate Easton's pointedly social satire of the narcissistic 80's minus some of the grislier details found in the novel. Christian Bale really nailed the "blank slate" soulless nature of Patrick Bateman, which was essential to the film's themes.

AMERICAN PSYCHO the film was surrounded by controversy from it's very inception (the book was previously the source of much heated debate). It was met upon it's release with no small amount of critical praise. Those who panned the film typically could be found to have a problem with the film's more sensational elements, while completely ignoring the film's primary themes. In any case, AMERICAN PSYCHO performed well enough at the box office and on home video to warrant - gasp! - a sequel.

Any fan of the original can attest that AMERICAN PSYCHO is one the LAST horror films to want or need a sequel. It's very self-contained and leaves no real loose threads (at least none that directly affect the primary narrative), yet someone not only wrote - but was able to successfully pitch this lame-duck sequel to Lion's Gate... and Lion's Gate sucked it up.

I won't bore you with the myriad of reasons that AP2 sucks - it just does. Let me just say that AP2 commits one of the worst possible cinematic crimes on the books - it aspires to be clever (and the filmmakers obviously think that it is) when it is the very antithesis of "clever". The only redeeming virtue of this horrid film is the kitsch value of William Shatner's presence as a lecherous retired FBI agent-turned-college professor, and the sheer audacity of casting Mila Kunis (That 70's Show's "Jackie") as a straight-"A" intellect (don't get me started!). Don't let me oversell the film with these questionable virtues - they are not nearly entertaining enough to warrant sitting through this trash.

AMERICAN PSYCHO 2 is the first dvd I've bought in a long time which - upon first viewing - I quickly decided to trade in at the first available opportunity. I just wish I could figure out some way to get my full $15 back from Beast Buy!

If you are all fired-up to laugh at Bill Shatner in the midst of self-parody, then allow me to direct you to the comedy FREE ENTERPRISE, which is extremely funny and features Shatner "rapping" at one point.

Geofferson

I was really looking forward to seeing this one (that was before all the reviews started coming out though).

AXP 103

In before the move.

Monster212

same here.,... but after this review.. i aint going to get it... that might explain why it was like 12 bucks at BB... also aint this kinda a review. so i think it belongs in the review section... IMO great review though...

Static Cling

Moving to Movie Talk.

Instead of multiple "IBTM" posts, can people just "Report this post to a moderator" instead? It takes about the same amount of time, and keeps the thread free of meaningless posts. Thanks (and thanks to Sierra Disc for being the one person who actually RTPTAM-ed).

clemente

American Psycho was a horror movie?

TheKobra

I hated the first movie. It sucked the big one.

Mark McLeod

My review will be up in the next couple of the days. It's a different sort of film all together and really just attempts to captalize on the name when it really has little to do with the original.

I didn't like it though.

huzefa

Bah, the only reason I was thinkin of picking this movie up was because of Mila Kunis, but I guess I won't now.

Keyser Soze

I thought the first one sucked too.

-k
###

Deadman31

Hey all. I was a really big fan of American Psycho, and was really excited when i heard a sequel was on the way. Then I saw a trailer for it, and I became less excited(Jackie from that 70's show, ugh!). Then I saw it in Best Buys ad for $12.99 and I didnt even realize it was straight to video(anyone know why?) Anyhoo, I popped it in and what little excitement I had left wsa gone in 5 minutes. First of all, wasnt the whole point of the first movie that we didnt know if Bateman was a serial killer? Well, AP II acknowledged that he was. Then he was done in by a little girl? Come on, completely ridiculous. Oh well, at least I only paid $12.99 for it

LX98Civic

I thought the first one sucked a$$, so I wouldn't expect much from the 2nd one. Come to think of it, I need to fleabay the original since I will never watch it again

garmonbozia

good question/point.

Trigger

I didn't like the first one, but not because I'm sensitive to violence and gore or rape or whatever else... I just thought it was a poor adaptation of a really cool book. Anyway - to get the book properly made into a movie would have to be made on some other planet where they don't have laws or mpaa. I agree though that the first film didn't need a sequel - and I'd feel that way even if I liked it.

Psycho2002

I thought the 2nd one was much better than the original. I do believe it was only 90 minutes not 120 minutes

Mark McLeod

Second one is 88 minutes with credits.

Look for my review tomorrow

tripleeric1

But I think the real question that is on everyone's minds...is she naked?????? huhuhuh

Dr. DVD

Mark McLeod

Nope. She doesn't get naked.

Full review is now up at MadmanMark.com

Todd Gaines

I think the people who say the original American Psycho sucked didn't get the point of the movie -- it's a black comedy. I love the film.

costanza187

I did not like the first one....but morbid curiosity is making me want to see this one...hopefully it will be on Starz or something because Id like to see it...I just hesitate spending any money on it.