Where to watch House II: The Second Story
2 Stars
Jesse moves to his biological parents’ house with his girlfriend Kate and soon he hosts his friend Charlie with his girlfriend. Jesse reads old documents and decides to go to the local cemetery with Charlie to unbury his grand grand grandfather to seek out an ancient powerful Aztec skull. They reanimate Gramps that soon befriends Jesse and Charlie. But demons cross gateways in the house to retrieve the magic skull and Jesse and Charlie need to go to other dimensions to retrieve the skull and keep Gramps alive.
If John Hughes ever wrote a horror movie, it would, presumably, be very similar to House II. This follow-up to the horror-comedy hybrid from 1985 jettisons the original cast and story and instead offers a new set of characters and a much liter tone. The intention is obvious: by swapping the first film’s “R” rating for a more teen-appealing “PG-13,” we want to attract the largest audience possible. And while the movie was unsuccessful at the box office, it’s reached the masses through VHS and HBO; it is a semi-successful movie on its own terms.
Those who love House (1985) typically look down on this sequel, which is admittedly much sillier. The fantasy aspect of the story introduces prehistoric birds and caterpillar/puppy hybrids, which are charmingly rendered but very hooky. House II isn’t high-brow entertainment, but it does contain a good-natured spirit, and for quick, cheap 1980’s horror sequels, you can do a lot worse.
Directed by: Ethan Wiley
Written by: Fred Dekker, Ethan Wiley
Starring: Arye Gross, Jonathan Stark, Royal Dano