Review: 'The Woman in Black 2: Angel of Death' starring Phoebe Fox and Jeremy Irvine

What is it that anybody remembers about 2012's gothic-style horror, The Woman in Black? First and foremost was star Daniel Radcliffe, whose first post-Harry Potter venture was a dark change-of-pace that likely played a big role in the film's surprising $120M success. Much was also made of it as a comeback for venerable old horror studio, Hammer Film, and it definitely was. That kind of cash influx can't be tossed aside so easily, even if it means providing a lousy, derivative sequel like The Woman in Black 2: Angel of Death, that features none of the scares, allegory, or star power that made the original work.

It sucks to boil a film down to simply being a cash grab, but this is one case where it applies perfectly. There was nothing about the original movie that screamed for a follow-up; the story of Radcliffe's character and the grief-inspired haunting he underwent at the dreaded Eel Marsh House was over and done with. But apparently the vengeful spirit was not satisfied and has settled for less compelling subjects to terrorize this time around, and less compelling ways to terrorize them. 

Ditching the Edwardian digs of the last story, this one takes us to 1941 during the Blitz, as schoolteachers Eve (Phoebe Fox, plucky and appropriately mortified) and ol' battleax Jean (Helen McCrory) evacuate a bunch of kids to the Eel Marsh House. Not the wisest course of action, and it should have been apparent given the ominously foggy, marshy, and crucifix-heavy path they took getting there. Eve is the heroine of this story, but she's got a past riddled with guilt over some mysterious transgression. That's something the woman in black can feed on, using it to spook not only Eve but the children. Following all of the typical horror tricks, there's one child who is abnormally troubled and creepy. He also takes a liking to a certain hideously ugly doll left in the Eel Marsh House. Of course it's possessed, and soon people start dying. The bland Jeremy Irvine plays a handsome, seemingly-roguish fighter pilot who falls for Eve. He's also got some guilt to contend with, but he's mainly there as a chemistry-free romantic partner for Eve. 

BAFTA-nominated director Tom Harper takes over behind the camera, and every image comes shrouded in a thick haze; there's haunting going on before the haunting actually goes on. The film looks good, in particular the early images of the London bombings, and Harper knows how strike up a mood of impending dread. But what's the point if there's no payoff? Sticking to bland genre formula is all the screenplay offers, giving Harper little to work with but lame jump-scares, evil dolls in creaky playrooms, and devilish faces reflected in dirty mirrors. Fox makes for a lovely and very plucky lead but she's left with little to do but wander around in the fog looking mortified.The last film worked well as an allegory for grief, helped in part by Radcliffe's expressive performance, but the sequel's guilt-heavy focus is considerably less intricate.  It seems to have been left to flounder in the bog of Eel Marsh House in favor of cheap frights.  The scariest thing about The Woman in Black 2: Angel of Death is that it leaves the door open for a sequel. 

Rating: 2.5 out of 5

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'The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies' Starts 2015 Off With a First Place Finish

1. The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies- $21.9M/$220M
I've yet to fully understand the decision to split the one book of 'The Hobbit' into three movies..how am I kidding, of course I do....money. Personally I think it was a mistake and it shows. It's easy for us to sit in our suburban homes criticizing the sell-outs of Hollywood but let's be honest. If you have a property that you can stretch in to three 9 figure paydays as opposed to one are you really going to take the artistic route? Didn't think so.

2. Into the Woods- $19M/$91M
The silver screen adaptation of the Stephen Sondheim musical was all the rage amongst it's audience. Wondering if your in that audience? Do you have Once Upon a Time DVR'd? You're in that audience. Personally I found the film to be a bit more than a let down but it would appear that enough of you disagreed to keep it in the #2 spot.

3. Unbroken- $18.3M/$87.8M
The film's mantra of "If you make it, you can take it" must have wiggled into the real world as Angelina Jolie's story of an Olympic champion turned Japanese POW wills itself into the number three spot in it's second week of release.

4. The Woman in Black 2: Angel of Death- $15.1M
The follow up to Daniel Radcliffe's first post-Potter outing failed to make a huge splash but at $15 million it's definitely a respectable take for a lower budget horror movie in the black hole that is early January.

5. Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb- $14.4M/$89.7M
When you consider this is the fourth entry in the series and Ben Stiller is about 6 years past time as a "Hot" hollywood actor the $89.7M total take over three weeks is definitely respectable but given the ensamble (most of which are also past their Hollywood expiration date) and the lack of family friendly competition, it's not all that surprising. I'm just thankful that Robin Williams has another film coming out...I'd hate to see him go the way of Raul Julia who's final film was Street Fighter.

6. Annie $11.4M/$72.6M
Really? Annie hasn't broken the $100M mark after three weeks? I have to be honest this is one of the biggest surprises of the year for me. A time honored film updated with the adorable and talented Quvenzhané Wallis and it doesn't blow the Christmas competition away? I mean, come on!

7. The Imitation Game $8.1M/$30.8

8. The Hunger Games: Mockingjay- Part 1- $7.7M/$323.8M
Seven weeks later and Katniss Everdeen still holds a place in the top 10. I think it's safe to say that fandom for The Hunger Games isn't waning.

9. The Gambler- $6.3M/$27.5M
No records are being broken but Mark Whalbergs gamble on this oscar bait movie have paid off as it passes it's budget of $25 million this week. Whalburgers all around!

10. Big Hero 6- $4.8M/$211
Disney does it again as Baymax and company break back into the top ten showing the greatest staying power of the list with 9 total weeks in theaters, and a well deserved stay it is!

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New Trailer and Images for 'The Woman in Black: Angel of Death'

What better way to begin the new year than with a good scare? A couple of years ago The Woman in Black opened on a February, typically fertile ground for inexpensive horrors, and blew away expectations with $127M. But will the sequel, The Woman in Black: Angel of Death, keep up the pace when it kicks off 2015?

A new trailer for the spooky horror sequel has been released, and this one takes a slightly different tract than the first. Daniel Radcliffe is out, replaced by Jeremy Irvine (Railway Man), Phoebe Fox, and Helen McCrory in a story set during WWII. Eel Marsh House becomes a haunted sanctuary to schoolteachers and their students fleeing the air raids.

Directed by Tom Harper, The Woman in Black: Angel of Death opens January 2nd 2015.


The Woman in Black 2 Angel of Death Official Trailer #2 (2015) - Jeremy Irvine Horror Movie HD by ViralToday

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New Trailer for 'The Woman in Black: Angel of Death' Takes Us Back to Eel Marsh House

Daniel Radcliffe's box office muscle is about to be tested in a movie he's not even in. A couple of years ago he helped lead Hammer horror The Woman in Black to over $120M, ensuring a sequel to the low-budget ghost story. However it won't be Radcliffe leading The Woman in Black: Angel of Death, and the big question is whether the film can succeed without him.

A new trailer for The Woman in Black: Angel of Death is spooky as ever, retaining the feel of the original. Jeremy Irvine (War Horse) leads this one as a schoolteacher in 1941 London who tries to evacuate the children out of harm's way during the WWII blitz. Their choice of places to hole up happens to be Eel Marsh House, and as expected things start to get creepy very quickly.

Directed by Tom Harper with a story by the original book's author, Susan Hill, The Woman in Black: Angel of Death opens January 2nd.

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First Teaser for 'The Woman in Black: Angel of Death'

When Hammer Films' horror The Woman in Black scored $127M in 2012 much of the credit was given to the star power of Daniel Radcliffe in his first major post-Harry Potter role. Certainly the curiosity of seeing him do something different was a factor, but the famous British studio is hoping the scares and ominous tone were enough to lure audiences back for a Radcliffe-free sequel, The Woman in Black: Angel of Death.

The first teaser for the film has been released and it doesn't reveal anything about the plot, but it establishes that incoming director Tom Harper is sticking with the dreary atmosphere from before. Jeremy Irvine and Helen McCrory star in the gothic ghost story which is set during WWII, forty years after the first film. Here's the official synopsis:

England, 1941. With London in the midst of the blitz, two teachers evacuate a group of schoolchildren to the abandoned Eel Marsh House. Seeking safety from the bombs in the remote coastal location, the group instead find themselves facing an evil far more frightening when their arrival awakens the Woman in Black.

The Woman in Black: Angel of Death hits the U.K. in February but has yet to gain a U.S. date. 

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Jeremy Irvine and Phoebe Fox to star in 'The Woman in Black: Angel of Death'

Mostly due to eager fans ready to see Daniel Radcliffe move on from battling Voldemort, The Woman in Black surprised many with a $120M global haul, making it the highest-grossing British horror in 20 years. Certainly it was a boon to horror studio Hammer Films, who quickly made plans for a sequel despite Radcliffe moving on. Tom Harper came aboard to direct last fall, and now we're learning who will taking on the crucial lead roles.

War Horse star Jeremy Irvine will be joined by Phoebe Fox (Switch) in The Woman in Black: Angel of Death, which is set 40 after the first film. Written by Jon Croker and based on an original idea by The Woman in Black author Susan Hill, the story takes place during WWII and finds Eel Marsh House seized by the British government. When a group of evacuated children arrive suddenly, it awakens the home's dark inhabitant. There have been rumors of Radcliffe possibly making a cameo, but that hasn't been confirmed at this point.

Irvine will be seen next in The Railway Man opposite Colin Firth and Nicole Kidman. This will be the biggest film role for Fox, who is mostly known for her work on the small screen.

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Tom Harper to direct 'The Woman in Black: Angel of Death'

Hammer Films scored a surprise horror hit earlier this year with The Woman in Black, led by Daniel Radcliffe in his first major post-Harry Potter role. The film turned out to be the highest grossing Brit horror in a couple of decades, so even though it didn't seem like an obvious pick for a franchise, they nonetheless moved forward with a sequel titled The Woman in Black: Angel of Death.

After dropping some plot details on us back in June, we're finally learning who will be behind the camera for this one. BAFTA nominated director Tom Harper will take on the film, which takes place during WWII and Eel Marsh's darkest inhabitant awoken by the arrival of a group of disturbed soldiers and evacuated children. Harper directed a BBC version of The Borrowers(from which The Secret World of Arrietty is based), and The Scouting Book for Boys which starred Rafe Spall and Holliday Grainger. John Croker, who served as an editor on the previous film, will take over as screenwriter.

Don't expect to see Radcliffe back for this one, but Hammer is moving fast to get this film made so we should be hearing some casting news shortly.

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