However, it would be complete miscalculation by the audience to make the inference that the sequel would follow the same theme.  Here in 8MM 2, which does not even have any of the same actors, director, or theme, merely applies the title of a successful film in order to attract viewers.  The film tries to evoke a similar atmosphere of depravity and immorality among the upper class, as Joel Schumacher’s 8MM.  It succeeds to some extent, but does not have the same grim and dark touch.

8MM 2 opens with a shot of a courtroom where a number of people are talking while the sound of a passionately active couple sexually pleasure one another.  Here the story advertises the film’s path, as David (Johnathon Schaech) tells his fiancé, Tish (Lori Heuring), about a sexual fantasy of his.  They are on their way to a weekend vacation at a luxurious hotel where they intend to bathe each other in sinful lust, which enhances when Tish invites a woman to join them after a nightclub visit.  Together they end up in a ménage à trios that they never are going to forget.

After the return from their wicked vacation, there are obviously some tense emotions underneath the surface.  It bears the same sentiments that Threesome (1994) portrayed through three sexually experimenting college students.  However, the emotional turmoil quickly evaporates when David receives an envelop with pictures of Tish, David, and the girl that they met in the club.  Due to Tish’s father’s political position as an ambassador in Hungary and a potential candidate for the Supreme Court nominee and David’s future in politics they cannot approach law enforcement.  It leaves them dealing with the criminals themselves, which brings them on a journey into the Budapest red light district and the world of pornography.

The film provides a futile attempt to make it a political thriller, but this too fails.  Instead, it provides an erotic thriller with non-existent suspense, but much erotica. In some aspects, the film will remind the audience about Wild Things (1998), but there is far more sexuality present in 8MM 2.  The film tries to hide a poor story underneath the world of sex while dealing with a rather amusingly silly extortion affair.  In addition, Tish and David also seem completely oblivious in regards to the threats that the underworld could pose on them if the criminal elements so desired.  The many awkward moments within the film outweigh everything else, and leave the viewers with a hollow and empty cinematic experience.

8MM 2 was a rather disappointing film, as it had nothing to do with the original film with Nicolas Cage, and the story was a clichéd combination between Wild Things and an adult film.  The question is whether the audience is better of with the latter, as the story does not capture the audience’s attention in regards to suspense, or drama.

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