The basics are the same as the original: a happy family moves into a new house where the youngest is held captive by angry spirits. This time, the uncanny occurrences are ramped up, aided by computer generated effects and heavy-handed music. The family’s plight is compelling (thanks to warm performances from Sam Rockwell, Rosemarie DeWitt and the kids) and there are lots of creepy surprises. There are even a few minor scares, even though the ending is more a noisy spectacle than a fright. It’s not genuinely scary, but sometimes slightly suspenseful and mildly entertaining.
(3 / 5)