Paradise Lost 2: Revelations (1999)
*** 1/2 (out of 4)
Sequel to PARADISE LOST: THE CHILD MURDERS AT ROBIN HOOD HILLS takes a look at what has happened in the years since the film aired on HBO. We get interviews with the three convicted of the crime, some of their family members and a couple people working on the case but the majority of the people from the original film declined to be interviewed this time around. The exception is Mark Byers, the stepson of one of the victims who has been labeled by many to have been the real killer. The documentary really focuses on him, the mysterious death of his wife and everything that has happened since the trial. There's no question that the majority of the 130-minute running time is dedicated to Byers and the film really plays out as a mystery as more and more doubt is placed on him. As those familiar with the first film will remember, there was bits and pieces of clues that shined a spotlight on him but this film goes even further with many throwing out accusations that he killed the kids as well as his wife. As with the first film, Byers comes across as someone who isn't all there and his visual appearance makes you think he would be a killer but then the film catches you because the West Memphis Three were convicted because of their looks so by the viewer then putting down Byers because of his looks really isn't any better. Another strong point in this film is that a specialist is brought in to try and clear the three teens because he found what appears to be a bite mark on one of the victims and it's said that none of the three teens match up. PARADISE LOST 2 isn't quite as powerful as the first film simply because so many of those involved refused to be interviewed. This takes away some of the heart of the first film and the sadness. As a mystery film this here is great because you keep wondering who the killers are and then when you think you've gotten it figured out something changes and makes you realize that you're no closer than you thought. Of course, the film's finale has Byers sitting down for a lie detector test and I won't reveal the results here.
*** 1/2 (out of 4)
Sequel to PARADISE LOST: THE CHILD MURDERS AT ROBIN HOOD HILLS takes a look at what has happened in the years since the film aired on HBO. We get interviews with the three convicted of the crime, some of their family members and a couple people working on the case but the majority of the people from the original film declined to be interviewed this time around. The exception is Mark Byers, the stepson of one of the victims who has been labeled by many to have been the real killer. The documentary really focuses on him, the mysterious death of his wife and everything that has happened since the trial. There's no question that the majority of the 130-minute running time is dedicated to Byers and the film really plays out as a mystery as more and more doubt is placed on him. As those familiar with the first film will remember, there was bits and pieces of clues that shined a spotlight on him but this film goes even further with many throwing out accusations that he killed the kids as well as his wife. As with the first film, Byers comes across as someone who isn't all there and his visual appearance makes you think he would be a killer but then the film catches you because the West Memphis Three were convicted because of their looks so by the viewer then putting down Byers because of his looks really isn't any better. Another strong point in this film is that a specialist is brought in to try and clear the three teens because he found what appears to be a bite mark on one of the victims and it's said that none of the three teens match up. PARADISE LOST 2 isn't quite as powerful as the first film simply because so many of those involved refused to be interviewed. This takes away some of the heart of the first film and the sadness. As a mystery film this here is great because you keep wondering who the killers are and then when you think you've gotten it figured out something changes and makes you realize that you're no closer than you thought. Of course, the film's finale has Byers sitting down for a lie detector test and I won't reveal the results here.