Plot
When the UN is placing sanctions on Greece,
Aristotle Papadopoulos a Greek billionaire mastermind begins terroriising Europe by destroying the power grids…
An informant for Interpol agent Bobby O’Neill was to help bring him down, but he has just been killed by Michael Bryce (still suffering from PTSD of the loss of his AAA status), and Sonia Kincaid (desperate to have a baby) while they are rescuing Darius (who had been kidnapped by said informant).
Now the trio must assist Interpol in bringing Papadopoulos down, but little does Darius know, that Sonia used to date him!!!
Direction
Directed by Patrick Hughes, who directed the first film. Sadly less is not more here, and it almost feels as if they were working with less the whole time.
Considering the budget was over doubled (according to IMDB) this is a big let down (and clearly went to the salary of one of the stars instead of where it was needed).
Cast
Returning from the first film are of course; Ryan Reynolds as Michael Bryce, Samuel L Jackson as Daruis Kincaid, and Salma Hayek as Sonia Kincaid.
Joining the cast are Antonio Banderas as Papadopoulos, Morgan Freeman as Michael Bryce Sr, Frank Grillo as Bobby O’Neill and Caroline Goodall as Crowley (O’Neill’s boss).
Breakdown
The subplots are somewhat weak. Bryce is still mourning the loss of Kurosawa, and the fact he has lost his AAA status. His therapist tells him to take a vacation, and just as he’s slipping into comfort he is (hilariously mind you) pulled back into the fray by Sonia Kincaid. She needs his help because Darius has been kindapped and asked specifically for his help (well that’s what she thinks).
This sets in motion his resuce, and the accidnetal killing of an Interpol informant who was going to help bring down Greek Billionair Aristotle Papadopoulos who is… destroying the power grids of Europe because of politics.
Papadopoulos’ motive, and whole narrative between the trio is weak, and even the moments that the characters share on screen feels under developed. At no point does he feel like a real threat as a villain.
The introduction of Morgan Freeman as Bryce’s dad (which is shocking to Darius) is clearly just a popularity casting, and there really isn’t any depth to the relationships between the characters. Freeman is in one short scene before the “rug” is pulled out from under us to discover he is working for Papadopoulos – and even goes as far as tries to kill his own son! But because there was little history, and his motive was flimsy, and it was painfully obvious – none of it works.
The banter between the characters, which worked so well for the first film, is not as convincing here, and comes across more annoying than funny. Even the ‘heart’ it tries to add, pales in comparrison to the genuine heart (Darius’ father) that the first film had.
Overall
From the convoluted villain plan, to the annoying banter, to the frustrating less is… less, this was a disappointing sequel that clearly favoured star power over legitimate story or screenplay.
This is a fail. Sorry
2/5
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