After the strengths of the first two entries, it’s such a shame that this second (and purported final) sequel is such a disappointment. It’s hard to pinpoint exactly what the central problem is: It could be that the death scenes aren’t as captivating and jarring as they are in the previous movies. Or maybe it’s Sam Neill’s underwhelming performance as a grown-up Damien Thorn, who doesn’t so much radiate menace as much as stuffy entitlement. It could also be the screenplay, which has a number of genuinely silly moments (including the literal return of Jesus Christ, which is both groan-inducing and unintentionally funny). Either way, the sum total of the movie’s dysfunctional parts results in a dull, silly and often unpleasant movie that’s unworthy of its predecessors.
Rating: ★★ (out of 5)
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