INSIDIOUS: CHAPTER 3
RELEASE DATE: OUT NOW
RATED: PG-13
RATING: *****/*****
PREMISE: (via IMDB) A prequel set before the haunting of the Lambert family that reveals how gifted psychic Elise Rainier reluctantly agrees to use her ability to contact the dead in order to help a teenage girl who has been targeted by a dangerous supernatural entity.
So first of all, this segment has a guest review from a friend of mine, Chris! So before I go into my review, allow me a minute to share his thoughts! :D :
I have never seen the first two of this movie series and after seeing
chapter 3 I greatly enjoyed it haven't been so scared since the
conjuring. Great mix of horror and suspense. Love the bit of comedy in
the film. I think the best part was I did not see it alone movies like
need to be enjoyed with friends. I will now have to watch both part one
and two for sure now.
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I'll make no secret of it, I love the Insidious movies. They're great ghost stories with some awesome characters, and great scares. So going into the third one, I wondered just how they could possibly top 1 or 2. I must say they did so, and they did it well.
Chapter 3 actually takes us back in time. An unspecified amount of time before the events of the first film, psychic Elise, is trying to get over the death of her husband, and a horrific entity that has scared her out of her line of work. All this changes when, out of the blue, a young woman named Quinn Brenner ends up on her doorstep trying to contact her dead mother. A seemingly harmless event at the time. But what Elise doesn't realize is that soon, Quinn makes contact with a spirit on her own, and it's definitely not her mother, and threatens her life.
I must say, to start my review off, I think that the smartest thing the creators did was to get rid of the Lambert's. I loved them, but their story didn't really touch the one presented here. Here, I felt a broad connection beyond what I felt for them. And what's more, I found the story ten times more interesting, especially told from a new main point of view: that of a teenager.
And the teenager that carries the film, Stefanie Scott is one great little actress. Not only was this a hard undertaking, going from Disney to basically carrying half a horror film, but she does it in stride. Good on the creators for taking on an actress that may not be a big name, but who definitely has the acting chops this movie needed. But of course, the entire cast holds its own. Especially, the amazing Lin Shaye. Who once again wows as Elise, who is at the top of her game here and is just a complete and utterly awesome hero.
What amazed me most about the cast though is just how well they meshed. The chemistry between everyone in this movie is undeniable. I really felt like they were not playing parts, and everyone gave their absolute all. While Scott and Shaye took the spotlight, don't get me wrong, you'll find top-notch acting from everyone in this movie.
The story this time around is absolutely solid too. I was really intrigued by how this film dealt with loss and guilt in many forms. With a heavy message of how to move on with your life after death, and find the courage to go on. Though most of the time, a demon isn't included in this problem, it none-the-less merges horror and grief excellently. And thus I reiterate, it was an absolute treat that blew the first two stories out of the water.
But the real question is, is it scary? And let me tell you, it is. For a first time director, Leigh Wannell knows how to build suspense. And he does it with such grace and style it was hard for me to tell that this was even his first time. All the scares are effective, and even jump scares are used excellently. It's all just awesome and really makes this one hell of a good time.
So all in all...
IN CONCLUSION:
Insidious: Chapter 3 is the ultimate chapter in this horror trilogy. (so far) With an awesome story, acting, writing, and characters, this is the one that is NOT to be missed. If you love the original, or are just a new viewer, everyone should find something to love!
5 OUT OF 5 STARS
MY HIGHEST RECOMMENDATIONS
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