For me "it was about time" as well - and urgently - to catch up on the Amityville franchise. I quit after the original first three, and never had the energy to watch any of the sequels/spin-offs released during the late 80s, 90s, and 00s. Since the makers also stopped bothering to number the sequels (always an indicator of a series outstaying its welcome), I needed the help of a horror buddy to "educate" me about the correct structure. Apparently, the three straight-to-video installments made during the 90s form an isolated trilogy that fit perfectly into the series but can nevertheless be watched separately. Good to know!
The best thing I can write about "Amityville 1992: It's about time" (apart from the fact it has an ingenious title) is that it's a more than decent and enjoyable horror tale, IF - and only if - you bear in mind it's a video-production and purely thriving on cliches, false scares, and bloodless death sequences. The script moves away from the legendary Amityville house, located in Long Island, quite nifty via a real estate agent who brings a clock from the original house to his own home. He puts it on the chimney as a niece piece of decoration, but it doesn't take long before the device starts altering time and dimension, and possess the family members of its new residence.
The mandatory "haunted house" cliches are all there: the old neighborhood lady sensing the danger, fireplaces turning themselves on and off again, the rebellious teenage son taking the blame for sinister occurrences, sweet family dogs turning vicious, etc. The importance difference, however, is that the clichés and stereotypes aren't too irritating thanks to the good pacing, adequate performances, and three or four well-timed suspense moments. The beautiful Shawn Weatherly is a terrific leading lady, and horror fanatics will appreciate the cool guest appearances by Nita Talbot ("Frightmare", "Chained Heat") and Dick Miller ("I Bury the Living", "The Howling"). The ending is a letdown, but then again, typically 90s.
The best thing I can write about "Amityville 1992: It's about time" (apart from the fact it has an ingenious title) is that it's a more than decent and enjoyable horror tale, IF - and only if - you bear in mind it's a video-production and purely thriving on cliches, false scares, and bloodless death sequences. The script moves away from the legendary Amityville house, located in Long Island, quite nifty via a real estate agent who brings a clock from the original house to his own home. He puts it on the chimney as a niece piece of decoration, but it doesn't take long before the device starts altering time and dimension, and possess the family members of its new residence.
The mandatory "haunted house" cliches are all there: the old neighborhood lady sensing the danger, fireplaces turning themselves on and off again, the rebellious teenage son taking the blame for sinister occurrences, sweet family dogs turning vicious, etc. The importance difference, however, is that the clichés and stereotypes aren't too irritating thanks to the good pacing, adequate performances, and three or four well-timed suspense moments. The beautiful Shawn Weatherly is a terrific leading lady, and horror fanatics will appreciate the cool guest appearances by Nita Talbot ("Frightmare", "Chained Heat") and Dick Miller ("I Bury the Living", "The Howling"). The ending is a letdown, but then again, typically 90s.