Amityville II: The Possession (1982)

Don't Believe the Hype

I really wanted to like this movie. I feel terribly cynical trashing it, and that's why I'm giving it a middling 5. Actually, I'm giving it a 5 because there were some superb performances.

It's funny, it's tense, it features two great performances from two actors and the director expertly creates a web of odd tension where you actually don't know what is happening for the majority of the run time.

Close shines in drama with strong language, adult themes.

The legacy continued in the chilling prequel that follows the Defao (Montelli) family who lived in the house before the Luzs.The poltergeists prey on the family's already shaky history from the overbearing father to the close relationship between the siblings until the night of the horrific murder shocking the world over.While the first movie is a classic slow burner, this is a more fast paced roller coaster ride in the vain of the exorcist, setting us the events shown at the beginning of the first. Yet, the flashback showed the family asleep when shot, Ronnie is now Sonny and The surname that almost seems like an altered history of past events.Now a priest must who blessed the house must perform an exorcism and release the trapped souls within the walls.The scares aren't all that special from other haunting pictures we've seen before with the causal moans, ground and creepy voices until the last thirty minutes during the shooting spree.Using rain storms, shadows and pov shots added great mystery and atmosphere to who or what lurks the residence at night.Sure the effects look cheap for the demon face but was able to pull out the delights and scare factor.An 80s classic that will thrill you, chill you and question the boundaries between the realms.10/10

Wow, what a surprise! I'll be honest, I went into Amityville II with expectations so low they were through the floorboards and down the core of the Earth. To my shock not only is it a very well done film but it is probably one of the best haunted house movies I have ever seen. There is so much to admire about this sequel/prequel.First of all I need to get the inconsistencies out of the way. Since this is a prequel it should logically take place in 1974, but it's clearly the 80s. The Defeos are not named as such but instead called the Montellis (why exactly is not clear but I assume it is so Ronald Defeo didn't sue, though he did claim that demons made him murder his family). The interior of the house looks very different, especially the basement. The troubled teenage son doesn't look anything George Lutz either (he actually looks like a cross between Mark Wahlberg and Dennis Quaid), which was a big deal in the first film, but since that plot line made no sense and went nowhere I can forgive that. I also don't mind any of the other retconning that Amityville II does since it overrides the 1979 bore.When the Montellis move into 112 Ocean Avenue (or High Hopes as it ironically called, to this day, in real life) they immediately begin to experience supernatural phenomena (although the Defeos lived there for about a decade before the massacre) and call in a heroic priest (played by General Franklin Kirby himself) to save the day. General Kirby postpones the blessing when he witnesses family patriarch Burt Young brutalising the children in that stereotypical, old-fashioned Italian dominant father way. Older siblings Sonny and Patricia push their incestuous relationship all the way while a sinister force haunts around the family and toys with their fragility. The stage is set for a perfect psychic storm and anti-Christ director Damiano Damiani (yeah, for real) delivers absolutely everything that Stuart Rosenberg before him hopelessly failed to.The camera-work, atmosphere, tension, sound design, believable performances, and occasional hysteria make Amityville II the single shining moment in an otherwise pathetic series. Damiani brings a texture of Italian Giallo (exploitation) and knows when to restrain himself and when to simply go nuts. Lalo Shifrin also returns to score this entry with another lush orchestral effort that enhances the spooky atmosphere.I can't imagine this film inspiring anyone as it is part of a laughably awful series and isn't likely to get the respect it deserves, but the tricks, wit, and intelligence that Damiani has up his sleeve will certainly entertain. James Olsen is a strong lead and blows away Rod Steiger's utterly ludicrous ham acting from the first film.You must check it out as it is perfect brain food for horror fans and filmmakers.

As a person who has been around haunted houses her whole life, and has seen her fair share of 'scary movies'....I have to say. Do NOT see this movie. The acting isn't even sub-par. The storyline doesn't follow the original story of the Amityville haunting AT ALL. The special effects actually made me laugh.The first Amityville Horror movie was honestly terrifying. Those who say this movie was terrifying need to sit down and watch a TRULY terrifying movie. Because this was definitely not it.The only reason I gave it 1 star is because i can't rate anything lower than that.

Amityville The Possession is no classic, that's for sure. Indeed, the final third of the story rips off The Exorcist so much it's a wonder the film-makers didn't face legal action. But for what it is - a very loose version of the original serial murders that took place at 112 Ocean Avenue in November 1974 - it isn't bad.Where the original film was laughable in the extreme, this one at least has some narrative interest. Unfortunately the film is overloaded with supernatural goings on to the point of silliness. That's not to say it doesn't have effective moments, such as when Sonny puts the shotgun to his father's head during a family argument (possibly based on a real happening regarding the DeFeos). The movie also features a decent performance from James Olson in the same sort of role Rod Steiger ridiculously over-egged in the original. Mostly he's quiet dignity in the face of all the horrors, and he does it very well.Tommy Lee Wallace turns in an okay script, though the incest sub plot might jar with some viewers; and there are some nice camera tricks from director Damiano Damiani and pretty convincing make up effects. The film also has a fine music score.After the murders (which surprisingly come about 50 minutes in) it goes a little downhill - a descent into sub-Exorcist territory. But overall this ain't too bad. It might have been much better if the movie was a factual account of the actual DeFeo murders, but this probably wasn't permissible for legal reasons.