Smile 2 totally WIPES THE FLOOR with the original!
The first one was already extremely good and definitely wasn't just another cheesy horror film - despite all of the nitpicks about it giving off "Truth or Dare vibes" and it not being ENTIRELY an original concept.
Still all of that should be deservingly set aside and the original should always be enjoyed for what it was... This sequel SOLIDIFIED that.
Not to glaze of course, but I strongly feel this is one of the BEST sequels ever made in a franchise thus far! Let alone for the horror genre!
EVERYTHING about it was much bigger, more powerful, and not to mention even GORIER than the first (which was honestly my main concern lol).
I want to simply just highlight my appreciation to detail on making "Skye Riley" seem like an ACTUAL pop star, considering Parker Finn gathered inspiration from real-life female celebrities such as Taylor Swift, Lady Gaga, Olivia Rodrigo, Tate McRae, and the like; including the album covers, the posters, photoshoots, platinum plaques, the choreography, all of it! Drew Barrymore's cameo just made it all come together as if she was a real person! Not to mention Naomi Scott's solid performance alongside everyone else.
That said, Parker Finn is already making a MASSIVE name for himself in Hollywood at Paramount especially considering this is his first and ONLY franchise he's ever made!
The future definitely witholds Smile 3, but probably not until 2026 at earliest taking the 2-year gap between the original and this sequel into account. I already know Parker's imagination is racing and he WILL make this a trilogy.
Congrats to him and the entire team who made this masterpiece possible!
10 out of 10