1/5 In Name Only
  by Mystic (los angeles,CA)
I rented this movie because of the name. I figure it would have some nice special effects like the original. I knew that it was a direct to DVD sequel. I knew the special effects couldn't live up to the orignial. I agree the killer belongs to the SAW movies. Instead of him dying from cancer or he's just some average looking Joe. When this chicks goes into the killer mind there is not journey to be found. I keep seeing the same rooms and that's very dark and industrial looking. They couldn't even get her a killer wardrobe. It was very predictable and the characters were very predictable. Maybe Maya have been the most interesting character. Stay away from this film.

1/5 "Sequel" That We Really Don't Need
  by Tsuyoshi (Kyoto, Japan)
Of all the films released in the last decade, "The Cell" would be one of the least likely candidates for a sequel. Well, they decided to make "The Cell 2" anyway, without Jennifer Lopez and Vincent D'Onofrio. In fact, "The Cell 2" could be called in any way you want, like "Kiss the Girls 3" or "Saw 9." Whatever it is, the film is a lifeless rehash of serial killer stories you ever heard, told in the most thrill-less fashion you can imagine.

Tessie Santiago is Maya, an agent who has special powers. Just by touching an object that belonged to someone, she can see things about that person. When an elusive serial killer named "The Cusp" is back, (and this killer, who abducts and tortures victims before killing, is actually responsible for her supernatural powers), she decides to use her unwanted ability again.

The story of "The Cell" (2000) was shallow at best, it is certain, but the original has the impressive visuals thanks to director Tarsem Singh, costume designers Eiko Ishioka and April Napier, and special make-ups by Michèle Burke and Edouard F. Henriques (the last category nominated for Oscar). In the sequel, however, you have none of these nice visuals and designs (except the beautiful filming location of Utah) while the story gets only shallower, with the insipid storytelling, 30 minutes' worth of story dragged out to 90 minutes. Everything is repetitious and obvious in this painfully tiresome film.

I watched this in-name-only sequel partly because it has Frank Whaley. He is not bad, actually he is very good. He deserves a much better script than this one, though.

4/5 The Cell II makes for some stylish entertainment..!!
  by Sunshine (California)
I saw this sequel to The Cell last night and I was skeptical since I am a true fan of The Cell -- but I actually enjoyed myself. My husband and I both thought it was pretty creepy, pretty stylish/cool looking, and just plain fun. Grab some popcorn and just enjoy this film for what it is. It won't win an academy award, but it definitely gives some thrills and chills -- definitely a fun way to spend a couple of hours...!!

1/5 The Cell 2 - Blu-ray Info
  by LGANS316 (Tokyo Japan)
Version: U.S.A / New Line-Warner / Region Free
Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
VC-1 BD-25 / AACS / Advanced Profile 3
Running time: 1:33:19
Movie size: 20,803,559,424 bytes
Disc size: 22,723,837,642 bytes
Total bit rate: 29.72 Mbps
Average video bit rate: 22.85 Mbps

Dolby TrueHD Audio English 1711 kbps 5.1 / 48 kHz / 1711 kbps / 16-bit (AC3 Core: 5.1 / 48 kHz / 640 kbps)
Dolby Digital Audio English 640 kbps 5.1 / 48 kHz / 640 kbps
Dolby Digital Audio French 640 kbps 5.1 / 48 kHz / 640 kbps
Dolby Digital Audio German 640 kbps 5.1 / 48 kHz / 640 kbps

Subtitles: English SDH, French, German, Spanish
Number of chapters: 20

@Behind the scenes documentary (30 minutes)
#BD-Live enabled

2/5 Two stars for the Utah scenery...and that is it.
  by Steve Kuehl (Ben Lomond, CA)
Had to give this a fair shot as The Cell is a popular long-term rental here, but the franchise will have to stop there.

Laundry list/bad: writing, editing, sound mixing, acting, dead bodies that breathe in the morgue, corny macho local cops vs: Feds, C grade effects, really bad makeup, and so on. The kicker (for those that follow all of the bad flubs regarding medical stuff in film): Our main deputy and important character later in the film says: "I used to be an EMT, I can check her pulse" and does so for three seconds with his thumb and states she's all good. The writing was that caliber throughout.

The good: the two stars go for the beginning and end credits with those beautiful Utah mountains and salt flats in Blu clarity. Was a great promo for tourism there, but nothing else appears as relevant for testing the display or sound mixing. The supplemental documentary ran 30 minutes and wreaked of how incredible everyone was to work with. Includes some great examples of what not to say about film making and how not to be interviewed during your early acting career.

You might get some light entertainment as a rental, and I want to list all of the other things wrong with this, but I do not want to harp on it any more. Not a reference Blu, can't recommend it.