I love that the bigger budget for part 2 finally allowed Henenlotter to include that hawt freaky-male-puppet on freaky-female-puppet action he always wanted! 🔥

A fun watch with Michelle.

[Michelle's write-up]

There's an AMAZING (?) sex scene in this movie that I wish I would never see again.

Last year, when the Synapse blu-rays of Basket Case 2 and 3 came, I revisited these sequels for the first time since the early 2000's, and dreaded that they wouldn't hold up with time. I used to love Basket Case 2, probably because it reminded me of some sick and twisted version of Pee-Wee's Playhouse/Big Top Pee-Wee by way of Todd Browning. 

It held the fuck up. The sleaze factor is taken away as we move from New York City to the suburbs (filmed in New Jersey near my old stomping grounds) and the 8 year filming gap is distracting but never lessons the experience... plus it’s kinda charming. For someone I always equate to the disgusting, piss filled streets of sleazeball 1980's New York, Frank Henenlotter really does have a great imagination, and it's visually on display here with the spectacular creature designs and colors.

honestly i’m kind of like just obsessed with all the stuff i can read into about this and the first film, the ableism, codependency, finding community, self sabotage of one’s own recovery, family trauma, idk these silly little movies about a neat little guy in a basket i’m like yeah, this is good thank you frank henenlotter very cool

And what if I told you this is a spectacular level of camp that most will never achieve…

belial’s sex scene framed up with his brother’s make out session, was certainly a choice

I like that they tried to make it interesting with all the different designs for more unique people. The story was alright, but was a bit boring.

Well, hi there.
After the events of the first film our protagonists move into a home for "unique individuals" run by eccentric philanthropist Granny Ruth.

Honestly, this is one of the last directions I thought it would go but it makes so much sense.
This was lots of fun, the people all getting what they deserve, the acting is still hilariously bad and the worst best.. or best worst sex scene I ever witnessed. Also such a horrifying ending and I'm glad they went there.

Overall it's somehow worse and better than the first movie and if you go in with zero expectations I guess you'll like it. 🧺

First Watches in 2023: Ranked

Tone feels different from what I remember from the OG, but I’m not complaining. In fact, I might’ve had more fun this time around. The freak show sanctuary setup is weird, playful, and full of heart and parts. Moving parts, missing parts, additional parts, all lovingly brought to life with practical effects that steal every scene.

The pregnancy reveal had me gagged. It’s a goofier, more ensemble driven creature feature than the first. Less sleaze, more circus and rare as it is, this is one sequel that satisfies. A side by side rewatch might be in order so I can determine which I like more.