Most of the old cast back.
New faces.
More fun.
More explosions.
Unfortunately, most of what made the original a surprise hit didn't make the transition.
Hollywood, as always, asked for "More! Bigger! Faster!"
In this outting, they get that in droves.
However, in no documented instance did anyone ever screamingly demand "Better!" since they first started cranking the handle on the camera 100 years ago, until now.
Once again, that rule of thumb is absolutely satisfied as well.
In RED, everything you got was a surprise, and an artfully revealed one, which was what made the whole ensemble delightful to watch.
In RED 2, I think the outtake reel would be every actor before every scene doing a huge stage wink right before one of those street-corner sign twirlers holds up a giant arrow saying things like "Important plot point", "Endearing character quirk", or "Obligatory set-piece stunt-fight-chase-explosion-palooza". If the writer needs an alias, he should name himself Captain Obvious.
This is what happens when you strain for a sequel, rather than getting one fully baked with all the ingredients.
So it's like a really badly made cake, that's mostly frosting. It looks good, it tastes great, but it leaves you feeling less than happy afterwards.
That was this iteration. It'll do well, and it's not absolutely horrible. But either the director or the writer (or both) phoned this one in, probably under pressure for the sequel, and it didn't live up to the last outting. Not even really close.
"The best never rest"?
Meh. Maybe they should try a power nap before another go.
My rating:
I give this a two-finger pity-clap and a generous B-.
RED 2 (no spoilers)
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RED 2 (no spoilers)
"There are four types of homicide: felonious, accidental, justifiable, and praiseworthy." -Ambrose Bierce, "The Devil's Dictionary"
- Yogimus
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Re: RED 2 (no spoilers)
Shit, sorry aesop, didn't mean to stomp on your review.
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- Posts: 6149
- Joined: Sat Apr 27, 2013 9:17 am
Re: RED 2 (no spoilers)
"There are four types of homicide: felonious, accidental, justifiable, and praiseworthy." -Ambrose Bierce, "The Devil's Dictionary"