MOVIE REVIEW: Knowing that this sequel was miraculously made and will probably be the last Saints, I was concerned that writer/director Troy Duffy may have been forced to "fluff" the sequel to his arguably entertaining The Boondock Saints to gain more theatrical audiences instead of another DVD following. But don't fret all you Saints worshippers, The Boondock Saints II: All Saints Day has more action, more violence, more humor, and one more Saint than the first!
Ten years after the original, Saints II sees the Macmanus brothers, Connor and Murphy (Sean Patrick Flanery and Norman Reedus), living a shepherd's life in Ireland when news comes of a murdered priest whose death made to look like their job. The brothers then quickly shed their ugly, scruffy looks and head back to the old stomping grounds of Boston to kill the mob responsible akimbo-style.
Clifton Collins Jr. plays the new "brother" Romeo, a wise-cracking Hispanic vigilante with one of the most outrageous hairdo in Hollywood history. Obviously, Romeo is the comedy relief that balances all the violence and stagnant moments (and there are some especially the flashbacks). I've always admired Collins for his acting chops in any type of genre. His portrayal of Romeo is no different. The character is probably the single best addition to this vigilante story.
Collins is joined by another newbie Julie Benz who plays the high-heel wearing FBI agent, Eunice Bloom who is assigned to hunt down the boys. She is aided by the three inept detectives who helped the boys in the original.
Bloom's character is quite interesting because she is far from the inspired creation of Romeo. In fact, she is so generic that you feel so sorry for Benz having been forced to make whatever good in putting some life into her. Benz has some moments but falters the rest of the way mainly because she seems to more concerned with the Southern accent cliché which tends to get annoying and tiresome.
There is a special and suprising cameo by a legendary actor towards the end of the film which I won't give away.
Overall, The Boondocks Saints II: All Saints Day will entertain you and succeeds the original in a lot of areas. The flashbacks often break the rhythm of the story which makes you wonder if Murphy was trying to allude to another sequel or simply perhaps cramming a trilogy into one movie. It's a setback that could have been planned out differently but may have been unavoidable all together.
The Boondocks Saints II: All Saints Day (2009) (Apparition, Stage 6 Films). MPAA rating: R for bloody violence, language, and some nudity. Running Time: 1 hour, 27 minutes. Now Playing in limited release.
VIOLENCE: A-
FUN FACTOR: B
STORY: C-ORIGINALITY: C
ACTING: B
STUPID LEVEL: 4/10
VERDICT: It doesn't have the mystique of the original but will entertain nonetheless.
0 comments:
Post a Comment