Actresses Rose Byrne and Barbara Hershey, playing daughter and mother-in-laws, give the film its strongest performances. The same can’t quite be said for Patrick Wilson (FilmDistrict).

This movie unfortunately does not live up to the expectations set by the original, relying on confusing storylines and predictable cutaway scares. However, "Insidious: Chapter 2" presents great qualities of filmmaking, particularly in cinematography. Wan knows how to shoot a movie.

The film is photographed and printed in anamorphic 35mm. Considering that this is a horror film that spans multiple locations, the film grain creates an overwhelming sense of the unclear, a foggy vision that hides answers from us when we greatly desire them.

Wan makes effective use of negative space in each frame, hiding important clues, symbolism, and objects in such a way that the theater feels like its own room in the house. As an audience, we watch from the window, the doorway, and around the corner as houseguests. The film draws our eyes to watch for every small detail in every shot. This masterful camera technique immerses us in the film world and sets up for scares.

Sadly, these scares both hit and miss, more frequently the latter. Some make clever use of the entire frame, while most rely on cheap cutaways that do no more than show something present that wasn't there seconds before. Unlike Wan’s "The Conjuring" (another well-photographed film), "Insidious: Chapter 2" fails to capitalize on these opportunities. As such, the film is generally not that scary or frightening, and leaves no lasting impression. Going to bed the same night is still easy.

Thankfully, cinematography has some help in carrying the film. Characters Renai Lambert (Rose Byrne) and Lorraine Lambert (Barbara Hershey) portray their characters masterfully; their subtle movements and expressions command the most attention. Ghost expert Carl (Steve Coulter) also demonstrates thorough understanding of his character and delivers convincing acting. On the other end of the performance spectrum, returning character Josh Lambert (Patrick Wilson) generates some unintentional laughter with his overly dramatic actions and lines.

The list of shortcomings only continues from here. Confusing plot points and lengthy explanations derail audience members from the story. The film throws some comedy into important scenes as chasers, even though the film isn't frightening enough to warrant them. The aforementioned cutaways reveal obvious continuity errors, killing our suspension of belief. Ridiculous props only bury it further; Carl the ghost expert uses English-lettered dice rolled out of a cup to interpret ghosts' answers to his questions. Ironically, this Yahtzee spin-off would work equally as well as anything used on "Ghost Hunters." In a comical scene, Josh Lambert reassures his wife Renai that no ghosts will harm her, just as he grabs a small baseball bat. Because the best way to fight the supernatural is with the tangible.

"Insidious: Chapter 2" will most likely fail to win significant awards or recognition for its director, but the film has substance in both cinematography and acting. James Wan's camera techniques and directorial skills can only grow more powerful from here. He’s not taking huge strides forward, but Wan continues to move in the right direction.

Keep an eye on his work.

Reach Staff Reporter Rex Lindeman here.