READY OR NOT 2: HERE I COME

The sequel takes on a reliable formula - deadly games with high stakes around every corner - and throws in a thoroughly enjoyable sibling rivalry element. Grace and Faith haven't seen each other in seven years, so there are some issues to process as they battle the baddies, and their history slowly unravels in a sublime manner. Though perhaps not the spitting image of sisters, the pair have the personality to make up for it, with audacity and a spitfire, acerbic antagonism toward both their enemies and, at times, each other.

Yet despite the differences they may have, we see that Grace and Faith are at their weakest when they don't have each other's backs. It's undoubtedly both part of the story's morals and the conduit for moving the plot along. It's also, particularly as far as Grace is concerned, one of the more ruthless scenes within the film, and the first time she, and not her sister, really gets hurt. It's there in the name of character development, but it personally took the fun out of the battles.

Which is a shame, because throughout the film, there's such an effort to make these - be they a killing or a maiming - unique and enjoyable experiences. The family members our disposable duo faces off against have a range of weapons, skill sets, and levels of expertise; their distinct personalities are akin to the increasingly challenging big bad at the end of each level in old-school video games ("The Twisted Twins", "The Negotiator", "The Jilted Ex"). Yet the one thing that ties them all together is the dark humour, pulsing like arteries beneath the surface of this story, twisting toward its blackened, barely beating heart.

The cast, on the whole, appears to be really enjoying themselves. Samara Weaving and Kathryn Newton offer solid competition while providing reasonable emotional depth through their unresolved issues. Without doubt, Sarah Michelle Gellar ('Cruel Intentions', TV's 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer') is having the most fun as the family member on the prowl; she plays these heartless, rich characters a little too well. She's closely matched by Masa Lizdek ('Simulant', 'The Boy in the Woods'), who, as "The Jilted Ex", gets some absolutely scene-stealing moments, both in fight scenes and one-liners. Possibly the only one who feels like he's phoning it in is Elijah Wood (TV's 'Wilfred', 'The Lord of the Rings' trilogy); his turn as The Lawyer feels as though it melds thoroughly with many of his recent characters.

So why is there a 'Ready or Not' sequel? Sorry, I can't really give you a solid answer, but if you go in with low expectations, anticipate gallons of blood, and are prepared for the ending to descend into new realms of silliness, you'll have a solidly enjoyable experience. It's nothing genre-defining - or even franchise-defining - but the solid cast, witty humour and considerable gore should keep things entertaining.