‘Evil has been summoned… again!’
Wishmaster 2: Evil Never Dies is a 1999 American supernatural horror film written and directed by Jack Sholder (Arachnid; The Hidden; A Nightmare on Elm Street 2: Freddy’s Revenge; Alone in the Dark) based on a character created by Peter Atkins (Hellraiser sequels).
The movie stars Andrew Divoff, Paul Johansson (Van Helsing TV series), Holly Fields (The Munsters Today) and Bokeem Woodbine.
Production designer Alfred Sole directed Communion aka Alice, Sweet Alice (1976) and slasher spoof Pandemonium (1982).
Plot:
Evil has been summoned once again when the Djinn (Andrew Divoff) is accidentally awakened by a burglar named Morgana (Fields) during a botched art robbery.
When the Djinn deliberately takes blame for the crime, he’s sent to prison where he grants wishes to pent-up prisoners in return for their souls, to ultimately structure an army to obliterate all humanity. It’s up to Morgana to save the human race…
Director Jack Sholder has commented: “That’s one that I have very mixed feelings about because there are parts of it that I really like, but I think, all in all, it’s a little dumb.
To tell you the truth, I haven’t seen it since I, uh, made it. When I was making it, I thought it was good. I thought a lot of it was kind of funny or clever. I definitely feel it has merit. From what I can gather, it’s one of those films that divides people. Some people don’t like it, others do.
And, you know, it was also a sequel to a movie that I thought wasn’t a good movie at all. It’s a movie that I did, and I don’t regret doing. You know, there’s a lot of stuff that I think is pretty good from it. You know, like the scene from the casino I thought was pretty good. Maybe it comes off as being silly.”
Reviews:
“With his carefully arched eyebrows, receding hairline (not even all-powerful satanic beings are immune to the ravages of baldness), and creepy monotone speaking voice, Divoff resembles nothing so much as a lobotomized Jack Nicholson, yet his character possesses a beatific sense of calm that’s strangely unnerving.” A.V. Club
“There isn’t nearly as much gore as the first, and the lead character’s investigation and nightmares about the Djinn are all essentially remakes from the original. Still, despite the Djinn’s power seeming less grand, star Andrew Divoff seems to have a much better handle on his character, and he’s fabulous as the Djinn, who doesn’t seem as much “evil” as he is just wicked.” Beyond Hollywood
“With his strong voice and devilish smile, hinting at the terrible secret his character is hiding from the world, Divoff continues the fine work he did in Wishmaster, bringing to life a dangerous character and clearly having fun in the process. In his hands, what was, for the most part, a disappointing sequel is transformed into a worthwhile experience.” DVD Infatuation
“The one other thing that the first film showcased was an extraordinary display of makeup effects. The sequel only intermittently produces these – a cool effect with the Wishmaster rebirthing by emerging out of a wall, a man being squeezed through the bars of a cell – and none with the impact of the opening few minutes of Wishmaster.” Moria
“Wishmaster 2: Evil Never Dies has some decent moments but that’s all this film feels like – a collection of moments rather than a full-blown narrative with them in. The story is bitty, the acting is pretty dire (with the exception of Divoff) and even the wishes seem to have lost their charm. It’s a fair timewaster if you were a massive fan of the original but other than that, it’s a no-brainer…” Popcorn Pictures
Blu-ray release:
On March 28, 2017, the film was released on Blu-ray by Vestron Video/Lionsgate as part of the Wishmaster Collection:
Buy Blu-ray: Amazon.com
Wishmaster Special Features:
Audio Commentaries:
Director Robert Kurtzman and screenwriter Peter Atkins
Director Robert Kurtzman and stars Andrew Divoff and Tammy Lauren
Isolated Score Selections/Audio Interview with composer Harry Manfredini
Featurettes:
“Out of the Bottle” – Interviews with director Robert Kurtzman and co-producer David Tripet
“The Magic Words” – An Interview with screenwriter Peter Atkins
“The Djinn and Alexandra” – Interviews with stars Andrew Divoff and Tammy Lauren
“Captured Visions” – An Interview with director of photography Jacques Haitkin
“Wish List” – Interviews with actors Kane Hodder and Ted Raimi
Vintage Featurette: “Making of Wishmaster”
Trailers, Spots, Galleries: Teaser & Theatrical Trailers, TV & Radio Spots, Storyboard & Still Galleries
Behind-the-Scenes Footage Compilation
Wishmaster 2
Audio Commentary with writer/director Jack Sholder
Trailer
Still Gallery
Wishmaster 3
Audio Commentary with director Chris Angel and cast members John Novak, Jason Connery, and Louisette Geiss
Vintage Featurette: “Making of Wishmaster 3: Beyond the Gates of Hell”
Trailer
Wishmaster 4
Audio Commentaries:
Director Chris Angel and cast members Michael Trucco and Jason Thompson
Director Chris Angel and actor John Novak
Featurette: “Wishmasterpiece Theatre”
Trailer
Cast and characters:
Holly Fields … Morgana
Chris Weber … Eric
Al Foster … Security Guard #1
Andrew Divoff … The Djinn / Nathaniel Demerest
Vyto Ruginis … Hosticka
Randy Hall … Cop #1
Maria Genero … Reporter
James Staszkiel … Predator (as Jimmy Staszkiel)
Paul Johansson … Gregory
Robert LaSardo … Gries
Carlos Leon … Webber
Tommy ‘Tiny’ Lister … Tillaver (as Tommy ‘Tiny’ Lister Jr.)
Rhino Michaels … Butz (as Ryan ‘Rhino’ Michaels)
James Kim … James Tiger
Simon Kim … Simon Tiger
Scott Klace … Fox
Oleg Vidov … Osip
Gwen McGee … Prison Matron
Viktor Ivanov … Misha (as Victor Ivanov)
Levani … Pushkin (as Levani Outchaneichvili)
Ilia Volok … Bodyguard
Timo Flloko … Moustafa
Bokeem Woodbine … Farralon
Christopher Boyer … Craps Player
Filming locations:
Los Angeles, California
Trailer:
