Vacancy 2: The First Cut

There’s little doubt that Vacancy 2: The First Cut, while not quite as effective as its predecessor, ultimately comes off as a better-than-expected direct-to-video sequel, as screenwriter Mark L. Smith generally does a nice job of stressing the kills that one might’ve anticipated while also exploring the origins of the infamous motel. Set months (or maybe years) before the events of the original, the movie follows the shady owner (David Moscow’s Gordon) of the Meadow View Inn as he progresses from filming his guests having sex to filming their brutal deaths, with the trigger for this change an encounter with a vicious serial killer known only as Smith (Scott G. Anderson). Gordon’s first opportunity to put Smith into action comes after three friends (Agnes Bruckner’s Jessica, Trevor Wright’s Caleb, and Arjay Smith’s Tanner) check in for the night, although it’s hardly a spoiler to reveal that things don’t exactly go as planned. Vacancy 2: The First Cut‘s connection to its 2007 forebearer proves instrumental in its admittedly mild success, as the reveal behind Meadow View’s salacious existence proves effective in initially capturing the viewer’s interest. This is despite director Eric Bross’ all-too-frequent reliance on shaky camerawork, which grows more and more intrusive as the movie progresses and the protagonists’ situation worsens. It’s likewise impossible to deny that the movie’s momentum takes a noticeable hit as Smith and company make their nefarious intentions clear, with the majority of the second half subsequently devoted to countless sequences in which the would-be victims attempt to elude their pursuers’ increasingly determined grasp. The uniformly strong performances certainly go a long way towards alleviating Vacancy 2: The First Cut‘s various problems, however, and it’s a testament to Smith’s relatively inventive script that the movie doesn’t quite end the way one might’ve expected – with the end result an effort that should please fans of the original.

**1/2 out of ****