Even though I only watched the original "Dead in 3 days" less than two years ago, I already have few to no recollection anymore on what that movie was about. I remember a mundane and extremely rudimentary teen-slasher flick, and the only thing that made it remotely special was the fact that it was the very first Austrian-produced slasher. Needless to say my expectations for the sequel weren't set very high, but I nevertheless wanted to be there for the screening at the annual Belgian Festival of Fantastic Films because I'm always in the mood for some mindless teen-slashing entertainment. Well, the least you can say is that writer/director Andreas Prochaska attempted to do something completely different rather than to just resume the basic principles of the first movie. Instead of a formulaic slasher sequel, "Dead in 3 days 2" turned out a formulaic backwoods survival thriller. The title (which used to refer to a foreboding mobile phone message) is completely irrelevant now, only the main actress of the previous film returns, ambiance and setting are entirely different and it's plainly put just a poles apart dissimilar film! Two years after the traumatizing experience that killed most of her friends, Nina rudely wakes up one night with a voicemail message from her best friend Mona; begging Nina to come and safe her. She courageously returns to the secluded region in Tyrol but hasn't got a clue where to begin her search. The slowly unfolding trail leads to a family of savages living isolated in the snowy and picturesque mountains. The first hour of "Dead in 3 days 2" is very slow and uneventful. Prochaska clearly intends to build up suspense and mystery, but it seemingly goes nowhere; especially because everybody waits for the masked killer to pop up again. Nina's long and fruitless pursuit of her friend in peril is quite boring and derivative and I caught myself admiring the postcard-like landscapes rather than to develop sympathy for the suffering protagonist. Luckily enough the extremely violent and turbulent last half hour compensates for a whole lot! In a span of less than 15 minutes, we're suddenly treated to a series of sickening murder sequences and a few moments of genuinely nail-biting suspense. The denouement is nowhere near original – let's face it: we've pretty much had it lately with butchering inbred families of weirdos – but the concept undeniably remains exciting to look at. If you seek raw, uncompromising and nihilistic violence, the climax of this movie certainly won't disappoint. If you're looking for an innovative, intelligent and unforgettable European horror movie, look elsewhere although I have to admit the final end-twist was a pleasant surprise.
