Stir of Echoes 2: The Homecoming

I was never really sure why people didn't like this move as much as the first. I was really impressed with the way this film was made. the plot is very similar to the first and just as entertaining. Another thing that I should mention is that this sequel is much scarier and creepier than the first one. The ending was not the best of the best but it was acceptable for the situation. The acting was just fantastic and most of the scenes were played out very well and quite believable. When the movie was over I almost immediately wanted to see it again. Not much to dislike about this sequel, unless you're not a big fan of tragic endings, but overall a very good sequel and great way to get some good scares.

There is just no way that a Made for TV Movie is going to be anything approaching the underrated and ignored Original. Stir of Echoes (1999) was a Fantastic Film. This one though, is an above average TV Movie that is OK in its own right if comparisons to the first Film are ignored. Rob Lowe gives an acceptable outing as the afflicted Iraq War Vet that has PTSD by way of Hell, not the War. He struggles to find the meaning of it all and He is Haunted and Tormented by things from Beyond. It does have a heavy Political message and for better or worse it is what it is. The Ending may have some question marks but it is wrapped up with a finale that is not squeamish or condescending. There are some Chills and the Tone of the thing is just about right. It rises above most Basic Cable Stuff but is restrained by those Limitations from attaining anything of significance.

It was OK. It wasn't a deep thought provoking movie, and there wasn't a lot of gore and scary stuff for hardcore horror flicks, it's more of a thriller and not too badly done, just not memorable or worth paying hard bucks for. If you are looking for a deep discussion afterward, this wouldn't be the one to watch. I'd use it as a warmup during the lights on, gulping the beers or wine coolers, joking around, tossing pillows and chowing down on some messy snacks before the real movie starts time period. I'm not telling you what it's about because you already read that before scrolling down to the reviews. IMDb requires at least 10 lines for a review, so I am filling it in with this fact, since it would be stupid to fill it in with stuff you don't really want to read.

STIR OF ECHOES: THE HOMECOMING is a surprisingly poor horror/thriller which can't hold a candle to the power of the Kevin Bacon original. STIR OF ECHOES was actually a pretty decent late '90s ghost flick that went hand in hand with THE SIXTH SENSE to revitalise the genre at the end of the millennium. This, on the other hand, is a poorly-directed piece of straight-to-DVD nonsense with virtually nothing to recommend it. A wooden Rob Lowe (THE STAND) stars as an Iraqi war veteran who returns home after witnessing and being responsible for some violent actions in the Middle East. Before long he's haunted by visions of burning bodies and the like and he must get to the bottom of the mystery before it's too late. Unfortunately the mystery, as it transpires, is ridiculous stuff, as is the film's execution: dumb scare scenes, bad CGI, and awful direction from Ernie Barbarash (who has only mildly improved these days in directing Van Damme in the likes of POUND OF FLESH). Future starlet Tatiana Maslany plays in support, but the whole thing's a real mess.

I love the first movie, I was really looking forward to this movie even, when it had different plot to it. when it was first green lit, it was meant to be a True sequel. which was having Tom Witzky's son in high school and seeing similar disturbing visions like his father did in the first. Some where a long the line it changed to A soldier returns home from the Iraq war only to be haunted by visions of the dead. Now it stand a alone with no connection to first movie at all, I was not too keen on new plot but i did found this sequel decent. I found this movie very entertaining as it did have very good bizarre scene that really liked seeing in this movie and I liked how they but spin in the plot for this movie, did not see that spin coming. There were some gore scenes and one or two scare scenes, those scenes did not shock me but beating up scenes were was just nasty and horrible to watch, i found that scene more shocking then any of the scare or gory scene. I did enjoyed the ending of the movie, it kinda of happy how it ended. 5 out of 10

I like Rob Lowe as an actor. Even a good actor couldn't have pulled this one out of the toilet. The writing was cheesy, cliché, and formulaic. The acting was terrible. Just terrible. From other reviews I've read there was supposedly some message to the story, but one would probably have to watch the whole movie to arrive at it. I just couldn't do it - I turned it off halfway. I loved the original Stir of Echoes, thought it was a great movie. This one shouldn't have tried to hang its hat on that name - they're not even in the same ballpark. This movie was a waste of time. I find it hard to believe that anyone involved in the production could have signed off on its release. It's that bad.

Guys! Consider the venue--it was a made for TV movie and I believe it pulled it off convincingly!! I kick myself when I read other reviews first--just don't do it--should be my mantra and I need to stick to it. This had everything a movie needs--cast, story, setting, probability, motivation, character and style--no, this was not a Hollywood blockbuster, nor did it pretend to be. Rob Lowe was under spoken and spot on wit the agony of a returning war captain. I generally liked it and I think if you go into it with an open mind, and not expect Kevin Bacon to pop out and tie the sequel to the original SOE, then you may take something away of value. 8 out of 10 K

I really liked the first "Stir of echoes" movie and after reading some bashing here I thought I'd also give the second a try because too much praise and bashing indicates that its most of the time way out of line... and once again I was right. The movie is wrapped around a more up to date story revolving around an Iraq Soldier having to deal with his wrong decisions leading to an Iraqi family's death and his coming home to face demons which soon turn out not to be those you expect. Of course the basic premise from here on is 100% the same as in the first movie. Man has dreams and hallucinations and tries to uncover what they are about. Where in the first part hypnotizing triggered the events here its the war trauma which fits the explanation of the soldier in the first movie (they even picked back up his "X-Ray eyes" line). I think the movie is decent for a sequel... all the bashing about the acting and effects and bad story are pretty much over the top. But I give you that its at times annoying to watch the same ideas from Part1 recycled in a different environment and that the ending really sucks bad. Where the first part gave some kind of resolution this one doesn't... its real disappointing to have such a clichéd "happy Hollywood ending" (considering the ghosts) and everything else being a mess of storytelling. You can see they went for a drama like the kid in Part1 having to deal with the voices for life but here it just falls apart and pretty much left me cold when the credits rolled. Anyway I have seen far worse... and what really makes me smile is that I now know why there are such harsh reactions on the movie. There is not much positive left on the American side of glory at the end and it seems that some of the guys here are too damn brainwashed to face that there is also another point of view possible than the anti-Arab U.S. propaganda that is all over the place. Come on guys... comparing this movie to anti-semitic propaganda and Jud Suss is a joke. With hundred percent of the Nazis Jud Suss image stuck to Muslims in dozens of U.S. Blockbusters in best "Der Stuermer" manner. Look at the imagery and compare to Jud Suss and maybe you realize how damn brainwashed you are that you can't even face a movie about the negative sides without complaining. Now that the Russians are not the bad guys, the Muslims are... and as soon as someone depicts holy America as bad its propaganda of course. Get a life and look in the mirror for a difference... and after all its just a movie. If you are angry about it it must have had some kind of impact... and thats much more than most of todays movies even come near to achieve. Time to face your demons!

Political ranting aside, I think the movie deserves better than a sub-five average rating. It's well acted by the leads and Rob Lowe seems 'engaged' in his role. The DVD extras explain in detail the limitations of the production but at the same time the investment in the film by the director and cast members. It works as a ghost story and also as a mystery. The make-up and effects are well done and it has a decent pace. In a way it still has a distant connection to the first Stir of Echoes in that it portrays a working class American family. Yes, the film does make a comment on racism, but I didn't feel this was a generalized anti-American slag the way some other reviewers did. I look forward to other movies by this director and thumbs up to Rob Lowe for bringing his 'A' game to this small film. And where else can you see a Stouffville, Ontario sand pit doubling for Iraq?

The first Stir of Echoes is IMO the most underrated horror film ever. Had it not came out at the same time as The Sixth Sense maybe it would have done better, but sometimes the little known gems are the best. Heard about the sequel a while back ago, and was kinda excited. Disappointed when I heard it wasn't getting a theatrical release, but I have come to find out that these little know gems do get released STD. Unfortunately, I wasn't feeling this movie. First of all, is it just me or did it seem very fast paced? I like fast paced, but not to fast that it feels like the movie is just an hour long or shorter. And the creepiness of the first movie was certainly missing here. And wow, what a downgrade music wise. From the classic Rolling Stones song "Paint it Black" (albeit it was a cover version, but I like any version of that song) to some rap song? I know that song kinda had to do with what was happening, but rap? Bleh! And the twist wasn't quite too shocking that it had me going "no way!" And this just did not feel at all like a Stir of Echoes sequel at all to me. OK, we had Jake from the first movie all grown up. How long ago were the events of the first movie? Or are we still at war 20 or 30 years in the future (man I hope not)? And why no mention of his dad? But at least they brought back the OJ drinking. Overall, it wasn't a bad movie, but many miles away from the underrated first.