Quick Look - Book of Shadows: Blair Witch 2 (2000)

The Blair Witch Project was such a huge success that inevitably there “had to” be a sequel made, as the unwritten rule of horror movie standard operating procedure notes. While this movie could never measure up to its predecessor, it has some good points which I will highlight.
**Spoiler Alert**
This movie takes an almost satiric (or maybe tongue in cheek) stance with The Blair Witch Project, noting that the events involving Heather, Mike and Josh happened, but maybe not all was what it seemed.  This story centers around Jeff (Jeffrey Donovan) who, like many of the people around Burkittsville, Maryland, are now cashing in on the hype the first movie has caused.  He sells t-shirts and the now infamous stick figures over the internet, and is now going to lead a tour called the "Blair Witch Hunt" to the scary sites mentioned in the first movie.  His inaugural group includes Kim (Kim Director) - a psychic who dresses goth; Erica (Erica Leehrsen) - a wiccan; Tristen (Tristine Skyler) and Stephen (Stephen Baker Turner) - a couple who are students researching the Blair Witch and who are also pregnant.  The group of 5 proceed into the woods armed with tents, video equipment, and plenty of alcohol.  They make camp at the ruins of Rustin Parr's house when another tour group approaches and begins to argue with them over which of the 2 groups can camp at the Parr ruins.  The 2nd group eventually leaves for Coffin Rock, and the "party" commences.  Drugs and alcohol are consumed, and music is played loudly.  Everyone wakes up in the morning, seemingly disoriented and not remembering the events of the past night.  Their encampment is completely destroyed along with all of the video equipment, as well as all of Tristen and Stephen's written research involving the Blair Witch.  The accusations begin to fly around among the group, as well as a good dose of anger and fear about the missing time.  Kim has a vision, and the video tapes that were being shot during the party hours are eerily recovered from the same spot as where Heather, Josh and Mike's videos were found.  While the argument starts to resume about 'what happened', Tristen miscarries - so off to the hospital they go.
The hospital stay is brief and pretty much the rest of the movie is spent in or around Jeff's residence, an abandoned, gothic-looking 19th century broom factory, with the main characters using the videos and their fractured memories to attempt to piece together the events from the night in the woods.  Everyone begins seeing images of a mysterious woman, as well as other unexplained occurrences, including the murder of the tour group they encountered at the camp.  The ending, in my opinion, works very well, and makes us question  whether everything was a bunch of obsessed crazies committing crimes, or whether "the witch" had turned them all into puppets and was continuing to exact her revenge on the living.

- The style of this movie was more "big budget horror" complete with special effects, which was a vast contrast to the first film.   There was much more on screen blood, gore, and violence.  Again, for me, this worked because there was no way doing another POV/"found footage" would have worked for a sequel.
- The story was told as a flashback (more on that below) and had images of the murder mayhem interwoven throughout the film, almost like hallucinations, teasing the audience to want to "see this thing all the way through".  I liked this.  I do understand where it could have put people off.  
- I highly recommend seeing the movie on DVD/Blu-ray.  There are special features about the movie, and the production as well as some things to look for throughout the film that you will not get to see if you stream it, or get it on cable.
- All in all, I recommend this movie for fans of the first, because it actually does, in fact, expand the story like a good sequel should, and while not taking itself too seriously.  I understand the backlash of fans and critics, but I do not think it is all deserved.  As a standalone, I do not think it would make much sense.  'R' rating is for violence, gore, language, and brief nudity.  Book of Shadows also has a very good hard-rock soundtrack.

More facts:
- The writer/director Joe Berlinger has stated that Artisan made cuts and re-shot scenes to make it more “mainstream horror”, which he did not like at all, and felt changed the tone to his vision.
- Artisan Entertainment wanted a sequel on the heels of The Blair Witch Project, to ride its popularity. Haxan Films who produced the first film wanted the hype to cool off before starting a new film. Guess what happened? Artisan decided to move on without Haxan.
- Directors Daniel Myrick and Eduardo Sanchez from the first movie have stated they would like to make another sequel, they are waiting from the green light from Lionsgate (who bought Artisan).