Agnes Bruckner plays Jessica,a sexy girl from South Carolina.She on a road trip with her fiancée Caleb and annoying friend Tanner.Soon they find themselves checking into the Meadow View Inn a week after an initial murder took place the previous week.The motel's employee Gordon and his three comrades focus on torturing guests for profit and recording their agony on tape,leaving the three friends having to fight for survival.This straight-to-video sequel to horror hit "Vacancy" offers nothing fresh.It's more violent and sadistic than its predecessor,but less believable.The characters of villains are actually more interesting than protagonists.The motel setting is spot on as it provides some spooky atmosphere.It's a shame that the climax is so anticlimatic.6 out of 10.
49 Reviews
Better than expected...but still rather silly and dull
The_Void2 March 2009
The original Vacancy was a rather simple but also rather effective and well done little horror film; and while it certainly wasn't brilliant, I did at least enjoy it. I do have to say that I never really thought the film needed a follow-up, and after finding out that Vacancy 2 would be a direct to video release, I did abandon all hope...but to my surprise, the film is better than I thought it would be an almost qualifies as being a decent horror film. Naturally I was expecting this film to be more or less the same as the original; but actually it does take a (slightly) more unexpected route. This film is actually a prequel to the original. The plot begins with a seedy motel where the employees spy on couples having sex and then sells the tapes to a marketer who gets rid of them on the black market. Things are turned upside down one day when a man arrives with a prostitute, and kills her. The hotel owners then hatch a plan with the murderer to make snuff films instead of sex tapes.
The film attempts to explain how exactly the staff of the motel in the original film got into the business of killing people; but due to the bizarre plot decisions spread throughout the film, Vacancy 2 actually creates more questions than it answers. For a start, why set it a different motel all together? Also, I don't remember seeing ANY of the characters of this film in the original. The saddest part is that most of these changes are put in place because of the ending, which could have been a lot neater if only the filmmakers were a bit braver! Still, on its own merits; the film is entertaining, if shallow and silly, entertainment. The victim characters are just your average horror film fodder and neither invokes any emotion towards them nor do they really provide any interest. The team of killers is slightly more interesting...though not much more. Still, it would be silly to go into this expecting anything more than just a throwaway ninety minutes and the film was at least more entertaining than I thought it would be. I'd say it's just about worth a look if you liked the original.
The film attempts to explain how exactly the staff of the motel in the original film got into the business of killing people; but due to the bizarre plot decisions spread throughout the film, Vacancy 2 actually creates more questions than it answers. For a start, why set it a different motel all together? Also, I don't remember seeing ANY of the characters of this film in the original. The saddest part is that most of these changes are put in place because of the ending, which could have been a lot neater if only the filmmakers were a bit braver! Still, on its own merits; the film is entertaining, if shallow and silly, entertainment. The victim characters are just your average horror film fodder and neither invokes any emotion towards them nor do they really provide any interest. The team of killers is slightly more interesting...though not much more. Still, it would be silly to go into this expecting anything more than just a throwaway ninety minutes and the film was at least more entertaining than I thought it would be. I'd say it's just about worth a look if you liked the original.
A mediocre prequel to a mediocre film
Shattered_Wake4 January 2009
Warning: Spoilers
The story chronicles the events of the first victims of the snuff filmmakers of Meadow View Inn (from Vacancy (2007)). The victims include a horny young newled couple, a hooker and her John, and three friends just looking for a place to rest.
Vacancy 2: The First Cut, opening with some of the most poorly written introductory description, does not start well. When it moves to the first scene (a drunk newlywed couple looking for a place to stop and have sex), it gets even worse. The writing begins terribly and the acting by the unlikable newlyweds was even worse. Also, the shakycam was doing nothing but add to the annoyance. The only good thing about starting a film like this? It has nowhere to go but up. And it does get better. The root story of Reece (Brian Klugman) and Gordon (David Moscow) is actually fairly interesting and goes for more than just the "Oh, they're crazy and that's why they do it" storyline. One bad thing, however, about showing the roots of villains is the risk of making them likable, sometimes more likable than the victims. For me, that was the case here (and has been many times before). I really didn't care about or like any of the tenants of the Meadow View; but, as I knew the backstory of Reece and Gordon, I was interested in them. Even the 'likable' tenants weren't people I'd root for: the main couple was overly nice and boring, and the token black guy was just over-the-top annoying (although, he would end up becoming the only reasonably likable and intelligent one of the victims). As the story progresses, it's quite apparent that the film is not attempting anything new. It's essentially a younger re-do of the first film, with a couple added elements from other horrors. For instance, the killers wear a sack over his head like The Man in the Mask from The Strangers. Visually, the film works well. It's not the cheap 'shot-on-film' look low-budget film-making has been moving towards. The setting is creepy and the mood is always nicely set with the spooky atmosphere. Unfortunately, the script is lacking with its unoriginal and overdone storyline, not to mention one of the worst and anticlimactic endings ever. Overall, if you're a big fan of the original, you'll probably enjoy it, but for the majority, it'll just be mediocre sequel to a mediocre original.
Obligatory Horror Elements:
Final verdict: 5/10. Take it or leave it.
-AP3-
Vacancy 2: The First Cut, opening with some of the most poorly written introductory description, does not start well. When it moves to the first scene (a drunk newlywed couple looking for a place to stop and have sex), it gets even worse. The writing begins terribly and the acting by the unlikable newlyweds was even worse. Also, the shakycam was doing nothing but add to the annoyance. The only good thing about starting a film like this? It has nowhere to go but up. And it does get better. The root story of Reece (Brian Klugman) and Gordon (David Moscow) is actually fairly interesting and goes for more than just the "Oh, they're crazy and that's why they do it" storyline. One bad thing, however, about showing the roots of villains is the risk of making them likable, sometimes more likable than the victims. For me, that was the case here (and has been many times before). I really didn't care about or like any of the tenants of the Meadow View; but, as I knew the backstory of Reece and Gordon, I was interested in them. Even the 'likable' tenants weren't people I'd root for: the main couple was overly nice and boring, and the token black guy was just over-the-top annoying (although, he would end up becoming the only reasonably likable and intelligent one of the victims). As the story progresses, it's quite apparent that the film is not attempting anything new. It's essentially a younger re-do of the first film, with a couple added elements from other horrors. For instance, the killers wear a sack over his head like The Man in the Mask from The Strangers. Visually, the film works well. It's not the cheap 'shot-on-film' look low-budget film-making has been moving towards. The setting is creepy and the mood is always nicely set with the spooky atmosphere. Unfortunately, the script is lacking with its unoriginal and overdone storyline, not to mention one of the worst and anticlimactic endings ever. Overall, if you're a big fan of the original, you'll probably enjoy it, but for the majority, it'll just be mediocre sequel to a mediocre original.
Obligatory Horror Elements:
- Subgenre: Thriller
- Violence/Gore: As expected, there's a good amount of violence and quite a bit of blood. The gore doesn't go over-the-top, but some of the kills/attacks are pretty brutal.
- Sex/Nudity: There are a couple brief sex scenes, but only a woman in a thong is shown.
- Scares/Suspense: There are a few good jump scares, and a couple chases are mildly thrilling, but nothing overly frightening.
- Mystery: As we know everything that's going on and, due to the fact that it's a prequel, the inevitable outcome, there's not much mystery.
- - -
Final verdict: 5/10. Take it or leave it.
-AP3-
Insipid sequel
Leofwine_draca29 November 2013
A direct-to-DVD sequel to the surprisingly successful VACANCY, a supposed horror/thriller that I wasn't too fussed about if I'm truthful. I felt that VACANCY was a film I'd seen a hundred times before, and the same can be said for this low budget sequel which takes the form of a prequel set in another motel.
The story is very predictable and aimed at the torture porn market. A travelling group of three teenagers end up staying at a remote motel (is there any other type?) and fall foul of a group of weirdos who decide to make a snuff film. There are no shocks or surprises here, and the writing is merely perfunctory. The characters act dumb and stilted, and the worst thing is that there's no sense of empathy; you never care as to who lives or dies.
Agnus Bruckner (THE WOODS) is the typical pretty blonde heroine but her character is severely underwritten to the point that the villains are more interesting than the supposed protagonists. The direction is insipid and uninspired and despite the plentiful chase sequences there isn't an exciting moment in the whole movie. Can't say I'm too surprised...
The story is very predictable and aimed at the torture porn market. A travelling group of three teenagers end up staying at a remote motel (is there any other type?) and fall foul of a group of weirdos who decide to make a snuff film. There are no shocks or surprises here, and the writing is merely perfunctory. The characters act dumb and stilted, and the worst thing is that there's no sense of empathy; you never care as to who lives or dies.
Agnus Bruckner (THE WOODS) is the typical pretty blonde heroine but her character is severely underwritten to the point that the villains are more interesting than the supposed protagonists. The direction is insipid and uninspired and despite the plentiful chase sequences there isn't an exciting moment in the whole movie. Can't say I'm too surprised...
"This moviemaking s--t is a lot harder than it looks"
Clintborari31 December 2021
Vacancy 2: The first cut is a film that is better than it really ought to be.
I have said this comment countless times before, but an idea that has been implemented to great effect in the first film makes it interesting, and suspenseful.
Now with a prequel, it begins to give off some bad vibes, as if the ending has already been predetermined, and therefore it would need something truly unique to make it memorable.
Thankfully it created its own distinctive story about how the culprits began their operation at the Meadow View Inn, and how they turned into the monsters that terrorized couples, and families from the original Vacancy.
The acting was decent enough, although there won't be any award winners.
The psychopath Smith who was played by Scott Anderson was the absolute standout for me. He was bone-chilling, vicious, cruel, and sadistic. I couldn't believe the motel perverts trusted, and sided with him knowing how unstable, and deranged his actions were.
I would be a little more intrigued, into his past, and why he became such a savage to be able to commit these horrendous acts without remorse.
The good was that there is a lot of tension. You want the kids to survive, therefore you are alert, and on the edge of your seat constantly barracking for their survival.
The bad is that this is a very limited story, and doesn't deviate whatsoever from that blatantly obvious plot, so there's nothing that makes it stand out.
I can't give much more in-depth information here, this is a film that you already know won't reach any great expectations, It does sit below par because it's not entirely terrible, but I'm not sure that it warrants much of your time.
4.5/10.
I have said this comment countless times before, but an idea that has been implemented to great effect in the first film makes it interesting, and suspenseful.
Now with a prequel, it begins to give off some bad vibes, as if the ending has already been predetermined, and therefore it would need something truly unique to make it memorable.
Thankfully it created its own distinctive story about how the culprits began their operation at the Meadow View Inn, and how they turned into the monsters that terrorized couples, and families from the original Vacancy.
The acting was decent enough, although there won't be any award winners.
The psychopath Smith who was played by Scott Anderson was the absolute standout for me. He was bone-chilling, vicious, cruel, and sadistic. I couldn't believe the motel perverts trusted, and sided with him knowing how unstable, and deranged his actions were.
I would be a little more intrigued, into his past, and why he became such a savage to be able to commit these horrendous acts without remorse.
The good was that there is a lot of tension. You want the kids to survive, therefore you are alert, and on the edge of your seat constantly barracking for their survival.
The bad is that this is a very limited story, and doesn't deviate whatsoever from that blatantly obvious plot, so there's nothing that makes it stand out.
I can't give much more in-depth information here, this is a film that you already know won't reach any great expectations, It does sit below par because it's not entirely terrible, but I'm not sure that it warrants much of your time.
4.5/10.
A Little Disappointing!
slyfoxy131 December 2008
Warning: Spoilers
I enjoyed Vacancey , and was looking forward to this movie , Smith the creepy motel owner is the only original, this IS a prequel and is set three years before Vacancey. The acting is passable , but no characters are really developed , the Motel looks totally different and much of the movie is shot outside of it , we have none of the excitement of the underground tunnels , or people hiding in the room , so it all becomes a little like a Friday The Thirteenth stalker (but not nearly as good). The ending was silly and not at all believable , and i fear that another movie will spin off this which will be a big mistake.
If you enjoyed Vacancey ,give it a go , but don't expect too much!.
If you enjoyed Vacancey ,give it a go , but don't expect too much!.
Prequel in need of better actors
SnoopyStyle18 July 2014
The Pinewood Motel was shut down in April 2007 and 200 videotaped murders were discovered from as far back as September 2004. It all started with motel clerks Reece (Brian Klugman) and Gordon (David Moscow) videotaping the sexual escapades of their guests and selling them to the truck driver (David Shackelford). Then they film the mysterious Mr. Smith murdering a woman in the room. They take Smith prisoner who sells them on making more snuff movies. Young couple Jessica (Agnes Bruckner) and Caleb (Trevor Wright) with their funny black friend Tanner (Arjay Smith) arrive at the motel just in time.
It's a real disappointment that neither Frank Whaley nor Ethan Embry come back for this prequel. The connection to the first movie is lost. I only know Bruckner and she's played this damsel-in-distress before as all young actresses do. The concept is basically the same as the original which means that there are no surprises. The first one was a well-made simple B-horror elevated because of compelling good actors in the cast. The simplicity means there is no place for this to go. The lack of good actors is really where this falls down. Fank Whaley was creepy in the first one. This is just a straight-to-video cash grab.
It's a real disappointment that neither Frank Whaley nor Ethan Embry come back for this prequel. The connection to the first movie is lost. I only know Bruckner and she's played this damsel-in-distress before as all young actresses do. The concept is basically the same as the original which means that there are no surprises. The first one was a well-made simple B-horror elevated because of compelling good actors in the cast. The simplicity means there is no place for this to go. The lack of good actors is really where this falls down. Fank Whaley was creepy in the first one. This is just a straight-to-video cash grab.
Decent Prequel
claudio_carvalho25 January 2009
In 2004, the redneck managers of the Meadow View Motel Gordon (David Moscow) and Reece (Brian Klugman) use room 6 to videotape the intimacy of the guests to sell porn movies. When the mysterious Mr. Smith (Scott G. Anderson) checks in with a young woman, they witness the sadistic psychopath guest stabbing and killing his mate. The footage is a success and they decide to make other snuff movies with Smith. When Caleb (Trevor Wright), who is traveling from Chicago with his fiancée Jessica (Agnes Bruckner) and his best friend Tanner (Arjay Smith), decides to rest in Meadow View, they have a nightmarish night and try to survive from the sick intention of the gang.
The underrated "Vacancy 2: The First Cut" is a decent prequel to the original "Vacancy" (which is also a reasonable movie, nothing more than that). There are some stupid scenes, like for example Jessica beating on the window instead of escaping; or the attitude of Tanner in the house of Otis and Doris; or the conclusion with the police finding no evidence of the murders; but the final result is not bad or mediocre like mentioned in some reviews. The screenplay and the story could be better but work on DVD. My vote is six.
Title (Brazil): "Temos Vagas 2 - The First Cut" ("Vacancy 2: The First Cut")
The underrated "Vacancy 2: The First Cut" is a decent prequel to the original "Vacancy" (which is also a reasonable movie, nothing more than that). There are some stupid scenes, like for example Jessica beating on the window instead of escaping; or the attitude of Tanner in the house of Otis and Doris; or the conclusion with the police finding no evidence of the murders; but the final result is not bad or mediocre like mentioned in some reviews. The screenplay and the story could be better but work on DVD. My vote is six.
Title (Brazil): "Temos Vagas 2 - The First Cut" ("Vacancy 2: The First Cut")
Nowhere near the first
will-0519619 March 2018
Unlikable characters with forced unconvincing (unfunny) banter.
Unrealistic premise and verisimilitude absent.
Snuff film - "we could sell 10,000 copies". Are you sure that's how underground movies work? You want 10,000 copies floating around implicating you in murder? I don't think so, how about there is a market for this but it's a select clientele who pay big bucks for the real thing, like $10 grand per tape? I can think of this stuff for free, how much did they pay you guys to write this?
Really despised all of the protagonists in this film, I would have stuck around to watch them all murdered but the film was already so unconvincing the payoff wouldn't be worth it. Bailed on this one halfway through, waste of time.
The first Vacancy was pretty good due to strong characterization and although realism wasn't entirely that movie's strong point, they put some effort into it at least. Don't waste your time on this, it's not scary, entertaining, shocking, and it's not even a "so bad it's good" flick, it's just lame through and through.
Unrealistic premise and verisimilitude absent.
Snuff film - "we could sell 10,000 copies". Are you sure that's how underground movies work? You want 10,000 copies floating around implicating you in murder? I don't think so, how about there is a market for this but it's a select clientele who pay big bucks for the real thing, like $10 grand per tape? I can think of this stuff for free, how much did they pay you guys to write this?
Really despised all of the protagonists in this film, I would have stuck around to watch them all murdered but the film was already so unconvincing the payoff wouldn't be worth it. Bailed on this one halfway through, waste of time.
The first Vacancy was pretty good due to strong characterization and although realism wasn't entirely that movie's strong point, they put some effort into it at least. Don't waste your time on this, it's not scary, entertaining, shocking, and it's not even a "so bad it's good" flick, it's just lame through and through.
Prequel to a solid thriller is a formula for endless copying
dbborroughs31 March 2009
Warning: Spoilers
Prequel tale about the men who ran the motel (where they filmed the torture and rap of the guests) in the first film and some of their first guests at a different motel. Better than it should be, but not as good as the first film which did what it did and knew when to get off. The problem is that any thing special in the first film is kind of wiped away but going too far into illogic (There are too many guests for their plot to really work) and descending into what no doubt could be a formula of hunt and kill. On its own its not a bad little thriller of the crazies on the prowl genre, but at the same time other than its setting and connection to the first film there really isn't much here, even if it it well done. Good.certainly, watchable. but nothing thats going to stick with you or be something you'll want to see again (however if you ran across it on cable you might-if you like these sort of movies)
Prequel of Vacancy...
Thanos_Alfie7 February 2014
"Vacancy 2: The First Cut" is the prequel of the classic movie "Vacancy" and in this movie we have three young people who are in the classic motel and they are fully unaware of the psycho employees and their sick-minded intentions.
I liked this movie as prequel but I have to say that the first one was better than this, it had more action and we were unpredicted for what it will come up, and that was something that I did not have in this movie. I also think that "Vacancy 2: The First Cut" had nice plot and the storyline was great.
Finally I have to tell you that you have to see it because with this one you will understand better what's going on in this motel.
I liked this movie as prequel but I have to say that the first one was better than this, it had more action and we were unpredicted for what it will come up, and that was something that I did not have in this movie. I also think that "Vacancy 2: The First Cut" had nice plot and the storyline was great.
Finally I have to tell you that you have to see it because with this one you will understand better what's going on in this motel.
Better than expected
ozlifter25 January 2009
I was really surprised by this one. As far as direct to DVD films go, this one's much better than average. It has pretty good acting and production values. I'd say it's comparable in quality to Joy Ride 2, if you've had a chance to catch that one.
Since it's a prequel, the conclusion is mostly foregone, but the writers did offer up a few nice twists that keeps this from being a waste of time.
Not a lot of gore. It (thankfully) skips most of the torture porn conventions, and mostly offers up a nice companion piece to the first movie. If you liked the original Vacancy, give this one a chance.
Since it's a prequel, the conclusion is mostly foregone, but the writers did offer up a few nice twists that keeps this from being a waste of time.
Not a lot of gore. It (thankfully) skips most of the torture porn conventions, and mostly offers up a nice companion piece to the first movie. If you liked the original Vacancy, give this one a chance.
With a bigger cast and decent producer. It could of made the big screen
k-dhesi23 May 2009
After watching vacancy, it looked like a decent thriller to me just lacked in it's story. But vacancy 2 came back with a message. A message that tells the story behind all you saw in the first one. Vacany 2 had a good idea, and could of made it in theatres if it had a bigger cast. Don't get me wrong the cast did wonderfully, but they don't have no name, it would of made some good money too with it being in the theatres.
What made the film so good, was it's clever idea to take a step back from the first one and answer your questions you were asking from the first one. So yeah the plot was impressive and stronger then the first. The actors also impressed me too, they did much better then i would of expected, it would be more fair on them and the rest of the crew if the film was for the big screen. If a producer was clever enough to make it happen then it would been better. Off coarse it's not brilliant, but it's very decent for a DTV movie. With a little more construction and a promotion it would have definitely been up to that standard.
But again it slightly lacked on thrills. The first instalment offered more thrills and it was more creepy, vacancy 2 doesn't deliver as much. It's more trial and error, then a planned out kill. Maybe if it just had a tad more suspense in it. Just maybe.
Overall very impressed with this second instalment. Much more then i expected,i would strongly recommend you watch this if you seen the first.
What made the film so good, was it's clever idea to take a step back from the first one and answer your questions you were asking from the first one. So yeah the plot was impressive and stronger then the first. The actors also impressed me too, they did much better then i would of expected, it would be more fair on them and the rest of the crew if the film was for the big screen. If a producer was clever enough to make it happen then it would been better. Off coarse it's not brilliant, but it's very decent for a DTV movie. With a little more construction and a promotion it would have definitely been up to that standard.
But again it slightly lacked on thrills. The first instalment offered more thrills and it was more creepy, vacancy 2 doesn't deliver as much. It's more trial and error, then a planned out kill. Maybe if it just had a tad more suspense in it. Just maybe.
Overall very impressed with this second instalment. Much more then i expected,i would strongly recommend you watch this if you seen the first.
Should have kept focus on the bad guys instead
Seth_Rogue_One29 October 2015
A prequel to the 2007 movie, which starts out decent enough, with the first 20 minutes or so putting the biggest focus on the bad guys which it should have kept doing through out the running time of the movie IMO.
Cause let's face it, this is a prequel... And we know this from the beginning so already from then that doesn't really bode well for any of the good guys in the movie, but still 20 minutes in the focus is turned away from the bad guys we've gotten to know slightly in the beginning and on to their unsuspected victims instead.
Which results to it feeling immensely predictable with a lot of really dragged out scenes that are suppose to feel suspenseful but just feels boring instead.
And the characters aren't interesting or likable enough to make up for it either, and I usually like Agnes Bruckner.
In the end you just completely run out of interest and just want it to finish already.
Just watch the first movie again, there's nothing in this movie that wasn't in that and that wasn't done a lot better either.
Cause let's face it, this is a prequel... And we know this from the beginning so already from then that doesn't really bode well for any of the good guys in the movie, but still 20 minutes in the focus is turned away from the bad guys we've gotten to know slightly in the beginning and on to their unsuspected victims instead.
Which results to it feeling immensely predictable with a lot of really dragged out scenes that are suppose to feel suspenseful but just feels boring instead.
And the characters aren't interesting or likable enough to make up for it either, and I usually like Agnes Bruckner.
In the end you just completely run out of interest and just want it to finish already.
Just watch the first movie again, there's nothing in this movie that wasn't in that and that wasn't done a lot better either.
Pretty good...
Red_Identity18 September 2010
Vacancy 2 is not as great as the first, but it does have some of the same suspense in the first half.
I found it pretty interesting and entertaining, especially as seen as a prequel. I did like how the order of the killings were not as obvious as other slasher films, but I do not like how it ripped off from The Strangers (a superior film) in the killers' masks. Saying that, the ending also sort of fell apart, and the reason is because there is just way too much chase. However, it still makes for a quick and mostly entertaining film that manages to be alright for a quick Saturday night, but do not expect it to be as great as other horrors, since the original was not all that either.
I found it pretty interesting and entertaining, especially as seen as a prequel. I did like how the order of the killings were not as obvious as other slasher films, but I do not like how it ripped off from The Strangers (a superior film) in the killers' masks. Saying that, the ending also sort of fell apart, and the reason is because there is just way too much chase. However, it still makes for a quick and mostly entertaining film that manages to be alright for a quick Saturday night, but do not expect it to be as great as other horrors, since the original was not all that either.
Blood does not equal 'Thriller'
alexawho16 January 2010
Killers are sick. There are victims on the loose. What else is new? I enjoy doing laundry more than I enjoyed finishing the 'horror' that is....this movie. Come up with something original already. The talent was great - but the writing sucked. I can't believe they did a sequel to the first....I was expecting much better things out of the second try.
Save your money, don't watch it. Save your time, don't watch it.
I can't believe I have to come up with 10 lines to say why this movie sucked. All I want to say is that it sucked....big, gargantuan ball sacks.
Save your money, don't watch it. Save your time, don't watch it.
I can't believe I have to come up with 10 lines to say why this movie sucked. All I want to say is that it sucked....big, gargantuan ball sacks.
Not even average
marko-pudina21 January 2009
Warning: Spoilers
I didn't really expect much from this movie, and it is better that I didn't cause in that way I have gotten much more from it that i could have gotten if I had expected more. The movie is not even average, poor acting, poor plot....The bodies laying under the porch ( the smell, stink or whatever ) is so unbelievable and not logic at all, the all the shouting , shooting and screaming, there are cars passing by and no one noticed anything......it' s like a playground, oh let them run it't fun to catch them ???? yeah........well, it's not the worst movie I've seen so go for it if you are so bored.......The first sequel is far better with better acting and story, this was all seen before, so this brought nothing new.
Disappointing.. No wonder it went straight to video.
aj_ajc_aj17 June 2009
Warning: Spoilers
I was actually looking foreword to watching the movie but it was basically the same as the first one. the boyfriend dies and the girlfriend kills everybody. And who would survive a knife to the jaw and being burned alive without being medically treated?? I also did not like the fact that the movie had 3 people instead of 2.. the African-American guys role seemed pointless. Very Disappointing. appointing film. Don't waste your time in buying this film unless you want to see a remake of the first one. The only difference between the 2 is that this is the first time killing people and the people try to run away. Other than it is basically the same thing. Ill give the film props for suspense, but they should have ran to the road not into the forest. But like i said don't waste your time
Vacancy 2: The First Cut = Leaves Your Seat Vacant...
HiddenTrailsProd24 January 2009
Warning: Spoilers
because you'll be hiding in a closet! This movie was good, but not better than the first. It could have gone more into why the killer kills. Instead, it goes into why they film killings. It just follows one of the three antagonists of the first film.
Basically, there are two men running a motel, film the going ons in the rooms, and sell the tapes. A stranger comes in and they witness a gruesome killing. They strike up a bargain with "Mr. Smith", and the trio begin to film themselves killing the guests.
Pretty much the same premise as the first Vacancy. Vacancy 2 is an above average direct to DVD sequel. It provides decent scares and keeps you wondering. The eerie atmosphere and creepy lighting make it worth watching.
Basically, there are two men running a motel, film the going ons in the rooms, and sell the tapes. A stranger comes in and they witness a gruesome killing. They strike up a bargain with "Mr. Smith", and the trio begin to film themselves killing the guests.
Pretty much the same premise as the first Vacancy. Vacancy 2 is an above average direct to DVD sequel. It provides decent scares and keeps you wondering. The eerie atmosphere and creepy lighting make it worth watching.
Excellent Actress in a Watchable B-Movie
FairReview10 February 2009
Warning: Spoilers
"Vacancy 2" is a prequel that occurs before the original "Vacancy".
It is also a "20-something" version of the original because the main actors (victims) are young and have lots more energy! Therefore, the dementos are hard-pressed to kill them all:)
There is also a surprise ending! Agnes Bruckner works really, really hard in this one (both to stay alive, and to avoid paying the hotel bill). Will she succeed on at least one out of two? Will she raid the continental breakfast?
The chase, hide, seek, and combat scenes are actually suspenseful and exciting. Just fast forward past the mercifully brief contrived gore.
The movie is about 1-hour and 25-minutes long, and does have an interesting directors-actors commentary. It points out a major strategy for some "straight-to-DVD" movies is speed (Using experienced actors to quickly get a followup movie released).
It is also a "20-something" version of the original because the main actors (victims) are young and have lots more energy! Therefore, the dementos are hard-pressed to kill them all:)
There is also a surprise ending! Agnes Bruckner works really, really hard in this one (both to stay alive, and to avoid paying the hotel bill). Will she succeed on at least one out of two? Will she raid the continental breakfast?
The chase, hide, seek, and combat scenes are actually suspenseful and exciting. Just fast forward past the mercifully brief contrived gore.
The movie is about 1-hour and 25-minutes long, and does have an interesting directors-actors commentary. It points out a major strategy for some "straight-to-DVD" movies is speed (Using experienced actors to quickly get a followup movie released).
Irritating
akshatmahajan2 April 2023
Vacancy was a decent suspense thriller which you enjoy to some extent but this prequel was nothing closer to it. It was rather irritating. The story was bland and bores you to death till the end. You just want the movie to end. The performances by the cast members were bad and unconvincing. This prequel story had a lot of potential if there would have been proper story writing and proper execution but nothing went right for this movie. They could have also ignored making this movie.
Overall, it was an irritating bad prequel which I would not recommend to anyone who has watched Vacancy (2007).
Overall, it was an irritating bad prequel which I would not recommend to anyone who has watched Vacancy (2007).
Another Kick Ass Sequel
kyleallen_917 February 2009
I just recently came across Vacancy 2 and since I love and have the first one, I had to buy the second one and I was really impressed. I don't know which one I like better, they both scared the hell out of me. In this one, it goes back and shows how the psychopaths got involved in making snuff films, so this one is suppose to take place before Vacancy. This one centers on a group of friends, Agnes Bruckner, Trevor Wright and Arjay Smith and others encounter a team of psychos, who have rigged the motel with cameras and plan to butcher the friends for profit. Its pretty sick. After watching this movie, it sort of reminds me of The Strangers. This film had some jump out of your seat moments. I recommend both Vacancy and Vacancy 2, they are really intense thrillers that scare you down to the bone.
vacancy 2
kairingler24 August 2009
i'm kinda torn how i feel bout this one,, it could have been better,, the "new hotel look" omg,, geesh ugly,, could have been worse.. this is supposed to be a prequel, i mean don't get me wrong there were a lot to this movie i liked. the showing of how our killer got his mask, it had a great opening scene,, and gave you some more insight into the mind of someone who makes and sells snuff films. it had a decent cast,, but once again you get a hot girl who has to be the heroine,, i just am really sick and tired of the "hot" girl hero,, it is so overdone,, here is an idea. make the black guy the hero... or have a butt ugly girl as the heroine. overall it's not a bad movie,, you kinda have to distance yourself from the first one when you watch this one.
There was most certainly a vacancy...
Howling_at_the_Moon_Reviews18 September 2023
I was not expecting to like the original Vacancy as much as I did, this one however did not have quite the same finesse as it's predecessor.
In many of the ways the first one was an above average experience is exactly where this one was lacking. The pacing was up and down and it became repetitive at times. It also leaned more towards the torture porn side opposed to a thrilling cat and mouse. The acting was also hit or miss and the camera work was a little crazy throughout.
I think its biggest problem at the end of the day was nothing particularly interesting happened. It was fine enough and moderately entertaining landing it in the middle of the road as pretty mediocre. Would recommend but certainly in no rush.
In many of the ways the first one was an above average experience is exactly where this one was lacking. The pacing was up and down and it became repetitive at times. It also leaned more towards the torture porn side opposed to a thrilling cat and mouse. The acting was also hit or miss and the camera work was a little crazy throughout.
I think its biggest problem at the end of the day was nothing particularly interesting happened. It was fine enough and moderately entertaining landing it in the middle of the road as pretty mediocre. Would recommend but certainly in no rush.
Not bad not good
alexusmalone3 December 2020
Vacancy the original was so much better, however this one was decent for a prequel. I felt like there were some moments that felt more silly than anything, which I don't think personally is good in a horror film. The acting was pretty well done also. Good if you just want to watch it or have extra time on your hands but you wouldn't be missing too much if you skipped out on this one.
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