I’m shocked with how amusing this is!
Children of the Corn II: The Final Sacrifice (1992)
Directed By: David Price
Where to get it: Echo Bridge
The Prologue
While my memory is a little foggy on the original Children of the Corn, one thing I recall about those flicks is that there was a lot of corn and the kids had some odd names. These were names that are still very popular in the Amish community today ya know? Regardless, let’s shoot to 1992 and Children of the Corn II: The Final Sacrifice. A sequel that stars Terence Knox, who I remember from the old CBS show, Tour of Duty. Why I remember a show from the 80′s more than I remember the original Children of the Corn movie from the 80′s is anyone’s guess, but I suppose it doesn’t matter. Let’s just worry with the 90′s, the sequel, the odd hairstyles, and hit the cornfield!
The Movie
The neighboring town of Hemingford has discovered not only the gruesome massacre of Gatlin’s entire adult population, but also the orphaned children who refused to participate in the human sacrifices. The once quiet Midwestern town is jolted into activity as a barrage of media reporters descend upon it. Among them is tabloid reporter John Garrett (Terence Knox) who is hoping to save his career by breaking the story on the bizarre murders. Traveling with Garrett is Danny (Paul Scherrer), his defiant 19-year-old son. Garrett arranges for him and Danny to stay at a local bed and breakfast, also home to the orphaned Micah (Ryan Bollman). Micah soon becomes the leader of the resurrected corn cult, and under the influence of the mythic “He Who Walks Behind the Rows,” more adults die horrible, violent deaths. Sensing that Danny is at odds with his father, Micah tries to lure him into joining the cult.
So apparently we kick things off in the aftermath of Gatlin, and the neighboring town seems to be having the same darn problem with it’s kids! And I must give credit to these little bastards, because they do a great job of making you hate them from the start to the finish. It’s not the “cool bad guys” thing at all, it’s the “I want to see these kids die” thing, which is great! Lead by their leader, Micah (odd Amish names are still here), who is played to his annoying best by Ryan Bollman, the movie just has a way of making you stick to the screen and not get sidetracked due to the fact there is a lot of amusing things taking place on the screen from the start to the finish. I don’t know about you, but I’ve never see a stock of corn fly through a windshield and impale someone until this. And I must confess, I digged it!
On the surface, you could say that the story is a simple story. But you don’t watch these types of movies for rocket science. And one of the main things that keeps this thing so enjoyable is the fact that it never once takes it’s self too seriously. Between the fun deaths to the wacky characters, this movie is just all out fun. And I was shocked to see this in a film from 1991, especially a Children of the Corn film. But now having seen this, I can see why a lot of folks really like this franchise. And as far as I’m concerned, this film never drags and it never gets boring. I mean let’s be serious, it’s hard to get bored when blood shoots from a guys nose like a water hose and a house gets dropped on an old lady like it’s the Wizard of Oz.
So the kids start taking out all the weird grownups in this little hick-ish town. And the reporter, his son, their women, and a Indian named Redbear (who you’ll notice in the 3rd act has a things for dramatics) are all that’s here to save us from “he who walks behind the rolls” and his little minions. And I won’t lie, the ending is fun and sorta dramatic, even if a little hokey at times. It’s just all around fun (it’s my review so I can use the word “fun” as much as I want to). And it’s the sorta fun that comes with a little gore, comedy spots, and a pretty hot chick in actress, Christie Clark, who plays Lacey, the interest of Danny, our reporter’s son. So, there’s a little something here for everyone. I don’t remember a lot about the original Children of the Corn, but after seeing this one, it would have to be pretty awesome to top it.
The Conclusion
This movie has “90′s” written all over it, but unlike a lot of films from that time this movie doesn’t suck. So I honestly do believe it’s worth checking out. And if you want to check it out alone or in a combo back with five other Children of the Corn films, Echo Bridge has it. So, if you like fun movies that don’t take things seriously (including it’s self) this is a good choice.
The Rating (7/10)
Chucks website
