Making a DTV sequel to a stone-cold classic like Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer is a risky proposition. Neil Giuntoli has the unenviable task of taking over for Michael Rooker as the titular serial killer. Likewise, writer/director Chuck Parello has a tough act to follow, filling in for director Robert McNaughton (who did at least return to do the music). While the results aren’t completely worthless, the whole enterprise just feels entirely unnecessary.
The sequel finds serial killer Henry living in a homeless shelter and occasionally stepping out to claim a victim. He gets a job moving port-a-potties and befriends co-worker Kai (Rich Komenich), who lets him crash with him and his wife Cricket (Grey’s Anatomy’s Kate Walsh in an early role). Henry soon learns Kai is a professional arsonist and begins assisting him in his crimes. Eventually, Henry begins teaching Kai the ropes of killing random strangers. Henry also manages to befriend Kai’s mentally disturbed niece (Carri Levinson), an art student who draws morbid pictures.
It would be unfair to compare Giuntoli to Rooker’s iconic portrayal from the first movie, but comparisons are inevitable. Ultimately, it looks like he’s just trying so hard not to be frightening that it comes off forced and awkward, so he somehow winds up looking creepy, which doesn’t work at all. Rooker was so effortless at being nonchalantly coldblooded but still fit in as a regular guy. As soon as you see Giuntoli, you’re like WEIRDO ALERT! Komenich hews a little too close to Tom Towles’ portrayal of Otis in the first film, which gives the characters’ dynamic a feeling of déjà vu. On the flip side, Walsh and Levinson are pretty good, all things considered.
As with the original, the murders are committed matter-of-factly. However, they just lack the power of the first film (although there is a good decapitated head gag and a gnarly scene where Henry shoves a screwdriver up a dude's nose). Despite dropping in one or two new elements into the mix (like the firebug plot line), in the end, it just feels like a pointless retread.
AKA: Henry 2: Portrait of a Serial Killer. AKA: Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer 2: Mask of Sanity.
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