Sunday, May 29, 2022

A Quiet Place Part II

Movie Name:
A Quiet Place Part II
Year of Release: 2020
Director: John Krasinski
Starring: Emily Blunt, Cillian Murphy, Millicent Simmonds, John Krasinski, Noah Jupe, Djimon Hounsou, Scoot McNairy, Okierete Onaodowan, Zachary Golinger, Blake DeLong
Genre: Drama, Sci-Fi
Score out of ten (whole numbers only): 6
Watch it on Amazon Prime

Synopsis and Review:
Following the huge success of the first installment, Paramount Pictures fast tracked a sequel, with John Krasinski tackling the writing and directing duties, while still briefly acting in the film. The film takes place directly after the events of the first film, with Evelyn, Regan and Marcus having to deal with the death of Lee, and having to move on from their farm. In a flashback, we witness their way of life before the alien creatures invaded the planet, and how rapidly everything changes once their invasion starts. Evelyn, Regan and Marcus, alongside the baby, reach the outskirts of their small town, only for Marcus to be injured by a trap that has been left behind. They are soon rescued by a friend they had in town by the name of Emmett, who has lost his child and wife in the interim. Regan in the meantime has figured out a way to fight the alien creatures by using her hearing aid, coupled with a radio broadcast from a nearby locale she assumes is safe. Evelyn doesn't allow her to set her plan in motion, but she decides to do so anyway. Evelyn in the meantime goes back to the small town seeking medication and additional supplies whereas Emmett goes in pursuit of Regan. They do uncover boats that can get them to the island, but their plans are thwarted when some additional survivors appear.
"A Quiet Place II", even more so than the first film, is brisk and efficiently paced, very much like an economical B-movie who knows what story is trying to tell. All of these characters are very succinctly described and whatever trauma they're carrying is swiftly brushed aside for the sake of surviving those un-merciless creatures. Unlike Paul Verhoeven's "Starship Troopers", which leveraged a very interesting tale of political satire, including some pertinent digs at militarization and massive cleansing of species in the battle against the alien creatures, or for that matter, the patriotic stance of Rolland Emmerich's "Independence Day" series, "A Quiet Place" tries to go smaller scale, essentially focusing on a nuclear family dealing with the end of civilization (which Steven Spielberg captured superbly in "War of the Worlds"). These modest ambitions serve the film well, since it also manages to make the momentum consistent and engaging. While the film doesn't necessarily provide much in terms of character dimension, it does allow for Millicent Simmonds to create an unexpected and resourceful central hero, while the suspense that is created throughout the narrative, while not necessarily the most effective, it's nonetheless well staged to keep one's attention. The cast does fairly solid work, including Emily Blunt, the underrated Cillian Murphy and Noah Jupe. The cinematography of Polly Morgan is solid, as is the score from Marco Beltrami. While not the most memorable of films, it's still worth watching. 

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