Strange things are happening at 112 Ocean Avenue. Just as the Montelli family have moved into their humble abode, arms start coming out of walls, blood starts gushing from the water faucets and what we can only assume is ghostly fecal matter has started to flood the basement. These are the least of the families worries, however. Regular beatings aside, the family finds their routine shaken up when the eldest Montelli child starts rebelling. It turns out he is being possessed by some sort of demon and just when you think things couldn’t get any worse, they get much worse. Much worse.
“Amityville II: The Possession” is a prequel to the 1979 semi-classic “Amityville Horror” and is (very) loosely based on the DeFeo murders that took place in the famed house before the Lutz family moved in. The script, as penned by Tommy Lee Wallace, is about as brutal and dark as it can get. Just when you think the film won’t go there, it goes there. We’re talking children being treated violently, a relationship between brother and sister that goes too far.
The first two thirds of the film set things up beautifully. The film is stylishly shot by Damiano Damiani, giving the film a visual edge over its predecessor. While the sequel comes very close to besting the first film, it unfortunately comes crumbling down in the third act. Without giving too much away, the main business is dealt with in the first hour, leaving the last forty minutes to just sort of dangle in the wind a bit. To quote Jerry Seinfeld, “that’s a pretty big matzo ball hanging out there.” Somehow the film becomes an odd amalgamation of the first film and “The Exorcist” and in doing so, does a great disservice to itself.
When compared to the later installments in the series, this one at least comes out on top. In spite of its awkward ending, it’s still a disturbing and thrilling ride that will take even the most jaded by surprise. Fans will get a thrill out of a story that takes things to the next level, while the average viewer will get a kick out of seeing Uncle Paulie himself, Burt Young, going off the deep end. Without a doubt, “Amityville II: The Possession” is a film you’re not likely to forget anytime soon.
