Ferry 2

A sequel we probably didn't need but somehow got anyway. Ferry Bouman, the charismatic anti-hero who muscled his way out of the Undercover series and into his own spin-off, is back to grace us with another jaunt through Belgium's underworld. The man who stole the spotlight from the painfully dull policeman "Bob", proving once and for all that crime does, in fact, pay - until it doesn't. We watched Ferry's rise and inevitable fall, losing everything, including his so-called "kingdom." And by "kingdom," I mean a scrappy camping ground with his equally scrappy wife Danielle. But credit where it's due - Frank Lammers lends Ferry a tragic, almost Shakespearean credibility, even when surrounded by beer cans and bad decisions.

This time around, our likeable loser has retired to sunny Spain, the go-to destination for washed-up European criminals to live once more in the unglamourous confines of a caravan, until it gets trashed by his niece Jezebel. (And no, I didn't make that name up - apparently, the Dutch did.) Jezebel, who is technically the daughter of Ferry's late niece drags her boyfriend along for the ride and demands Uncle Ferry's help with a little "business issue." Just your everyday problem of delivering ecstasy pills to a psychopathic drug dealer. Because nothing says "family bonding" like a high-stakes drug deal.

In today's cinematic era of girl bosses, Jezebel is barely tolerable, being believable as white trash and moderately annoying. But the plot plays out like a greatest hits compilation of crime thriller clichés. The order for pills is miraculously ready (of course), only to be derailed by predictable backstabbing and double-crossing. And just for kicks, there's the looming family secret: Jezebel doesn't know what happened between Ferry and her father, which is sure to rear its melodramatic head at the worst possible moment.

Is Ferry 2 as bad as some reviewers here claimed? Not quite. Lammers brings his A-game, portraying Ferry as a broken, sardonic has-been who still manages to be oddly sympathetic. The bleak Flemish landscape adds its usual dose of gloom and general despair. It's not brilliant cinema, but it's not a total trainwreck either. It's a dark, messy, slightly depressing crime movie that coasts on Lammers' charm and Ferry's razor-thin likability. Not great, but at least it's better than camping with Bob.

PS and if they plan to make yet another spin-off with Jez as main character I'll definitely bail out.

Obviously you go in to see Ferry Bouman yet this time around it is actor Jonas Smulders that carries the movie. Where the first film was a great movie, Ferry 2 falls somewhat short. The story isn't the most interesting but manages to be entertaining enough. Bouman feels a bit old in the film, his main rival however does a wonderful job. The characters in general besides Bouman and the rival feel somewhat empty, they could have done more to make the viewer connect with them. It's a pitty really as again the first movie had it all. Then it does leave some space open for a third, which if being made we would all surely hope would do a better job than Ferry 2.

The script of "Ferry 2" is quite basic. There's really no element of surprise; everything is very conventional, but as it's presented with such authenticity and seriousness, I didn't mind watching these characters quickly run through all the clichés associated with gangster movies.

The action design, cinematography, stunts, acting, and editing in these scenes are genuinely realistic and have enough dynamism to keep you on the edge of your seat. Each action sequence feels authentic and contributes to the film's narrative tension.

Frank Lammers is excellent, as always. He's been playing this character for the last 6 years, and it's truly incredible that he continues to find so many interesting facets of this gangster. His performance brings depth and humanity to a character that could easily be stereotyped.

The moment Jezabel comes back into his life, Ferry abandons any hint of normality he had achieved and reverts to his old ways. In a way, this probably suits Ferry's character well: unpredictable and irresponsible, with a streak of madness, adding an interesting twist to his development.

We follow the same path, but this time with a group of kids who don't know what they're doing, making Ferry the most mature one. It's odd and quirky, but it moves at breakneck speeds and has an innocence that feels fresh. This change in dynamic offers a new and entertaining perspective on the character and his world.

In conclusion, "Ferry 2" doesn't redefine the genre of gangster films, but its authenticity and the commitment of its cast, particularly Frank Lammers, make it worth watching. The movie manages to hold interest despite its predictable script, thanks to the energy of its sequences and the exploration of new aspects of Ferry's character.

Ferry 1 and the series around this character, actually are really fun to watch. This movie is like a scenario written by one 10 year old guy who saw the the other. Pointless scenario with many blanks and nothing good to see.

Frank Lammers in my opinion suits for this role and I don't think he could do something more for this movie.

Sometimes, some Netflix's films seem to be made only to see a female protagonist instead of a male. You could do so many clever things to this movie but the only thing they did is to show us how "stubborn" and "capable" his niece was. They didn't even make us really understand what was going with her life. They just added a co protagonist who was selfish, dumb and impulsive and she had nothing to like her as a character. To sum up, Ferry deserved a better ending.

There are films that are good or bad, but this is a film that I wish I hadn't seen.

I enjoyed the series and the first movie. I started watching this and knew within 7 minutes that this was going to be a disappointment. Boy I was not wrong.

1. Niece-having a niece fine. Having someone around that only serves as plot armor in providing stupidity to keep the story going...not good. Remember the Las Vegas zombie movie where Dave Bautisa daughter got everyone killed? Yes, this niece is the same and for some stupid reason she is a primary focus.

2. Random characters, no consistent plotline, dumb Hallmark moments that does nothing to propel the story and horrendous score/music being played during all action scenes tells you about everything you need to know.