Totally agree Keith. In fact, I actually rate it a little higher and prefer it to the original. Mostly because this one was just pure suspense sequences and genre storytelling rather than trying to “be something more” or try to tug at heartstrings like the first one did. This one has spikes going through monsters’ faces and shooting gas canisters to blow things up - this is what I want out of these movies.
Plus I’m a sucker for any movie with cross-cutting climaxes. It’s why Two Towers is my favorite Lord of the Rings.
I've been reading movie reviews since the Dissolve dissolved, obviously, but i feel like i just exhaled after not realizing i was holding my breath. So happy for the Reveal, fellas.
Revealers, I must point out the star rating graphic our designer Mike Renaud made for us. Neat, right? That ghostly fade on the empty stars, leading into the white-on-gray logo. I think it's neat!
I’ll say again that “No first person in reviews” is a self-defeating rule that should be replaced by the admittedly fuzzier “Use first person in reviews sparingly and judiciously.” Trust yourselves (and Alan) to know when you’ve crossed the line into self-indulgence. Don’t voluntarily relinquish tools. It comes in handy!
Yeah, I think I came down to a similar place, though I might be a bit more down on it than you were/are. It just felt like very competent genre filmmaking without much of a story to tell, almost A Quiet Place Part 1.5 more than a full second part, and a rare example of a movie that I wish was a little bit longer. Between the extended flashback opening and the time it took to get the characters to the point that the plot actually starts, there just wasn't enough time or room to really develop much, though the actors (including Cillian) were very good and there were a couple very nicely done set-pieces.
I did think the film tried to establish a narrative of the kids trying to grow into the kind of person they believed their dad to be which I appreciated, but there's definitely a sense that none of it is truly necessary. Still, it was a good way to get back into theaters (also my second film back, after the suitably predictable 90s throwback Those Who Wish Me Dead). It's not a necessary film, but it's a solid one.
Having left Chicago (very much against my will) in 2013, what I want more of from this fine first-person review is to hear more about this Davis Theater renovation!
*long pause* I…I actually don’t hate Kung Pow. *sigh* Thank you for letting me finally admit this.
Totally agree Keith. In fact, I actually rate it a little higher and prefer it to the original. Mostly because this one was just pure suspense sequences and genre storytelling rather than trying to “be something more” or try to tug at heartstrings like the first one did. This one has spikes going through monsters’ faces and shooting gas canisters to blow things up - this is what I want out of these movies.
Plus I’m a sucker for any movie with cross-cutting climaxes. It’s why Two Towers is my favorite Lord of the Rings.
I've been reading movie reviews since the Dissolve dissolved, obviously, but i feel like i just exhaled after not realizing i was holding my breath. So happy for the Reveal, fellas.
Revealers, I must point out the star rating graphic our designer Mike Renaud made for us. Neat, right? That ghostly fade on the empty stars, leading into the white-on-gray logo. I think it's neat!
I’ll say again that “No first person in reviews” is a self-defeating rule that should be replaced by the admittedly fuzzier “Use first person in reviews sparingly and judiciously.” Trust yourselves (and Alan) to know when you’ve crossed the line into self-indulgence. Don’t voluntarily relinquish tools. It comes in handy!
Yeah, I think I came down to a similar place, though I might be a bit more down on it than you were/are. It just felt like very competent genre filmmaking without much of a story to tell, almost A Quiet Place Part 1.5 more than a full second part, and a rare example of a movie that I wish was a little bit longer. Between the extended flashback opening and the time it took to get the characters to the point that the plot actually starts, there just wasn't enough time or room to really develop much, though the actors (including Cillian) were very good and there were a couple very nicely done set-pieces.
I did think the film tried to establish a narrative of the kids trying to grow into the kind of person they believed their dad to be which I appreciated, but there's definitely a sense that none of it is truly necessary. Still, it was a good way to get back into theaters (also my second film back, after the suitably predictable 90s throwback Those Who Wish Me Dead). It's not a necessary film, but it's a solid one.
Having left Chicago (very much against my will) in 2013, what I want more of from this fine first-person review is to hear more about this Davis Theater renovation!