Ferry 2

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.

As "Ferry 2" (2024 release from the Netherlands, Ferry, now living in Costa Del Sol as "Andre", gets contacted by his niece (the daughter of Ferry's sister), who is in trouble for a drug deal gone bad. Reluctantly Ferry comes back to Holland... At this point we are 10 minutes into the movie.

Couple of comments: you may recall that the character of "Ferry" was part of the Flemish TV series "Undercover" (3 seasons over 2019-2022). In fact, "Ferry" became so popular that he got a prequel movie out of it called "Ferry (2021), and then his own mini-series called, wait for it: "Ferry The Series" (2022). It was all OK, and a fair amount of people enjoyed it (including myself). Two more years later comes yet another movie starring Ferry (Dutch actor Frank Lammers), and the question is... why? There is nothing new under the sun, the XTC story line(s) are rehashed yet once again. And there are no surprises of any kind, none. In the end, this is like the most predictable of comfort foods: you kinda enjoy it while you are watching it, but it all feels rather empty-handed at the end of it. Listen, Ferry had a good run, but this latest sequel really wasn't needed.

"Ferry 2" (I guess the film makers were so empty of new ideas, they really couldn't even come up with a snappier title than this?) is now streaking on Netflix. If you are a fan of the original "Undercover" TV series, or of the "Ferry" character in particular, I'd suggest you check this out, with lowered expectations, and draw your own conclusion.

After the success of the original series and the first spin-off movie, Ferry 2 feels like a bad trip-or worse, an overdose-in multiple ways. What could have been a worthy continuation of an intriguing storyline instead devolves into a poorly executed cash grab that leaves me (and apparently other fans) disillusioned.

The casting of the co-lead characters is, quite frankly, appalling. There's little chemistry or believability in their performances, which only serves to magnify the shallowness of the three main supporting roles. These one-dimensional characters are unconvincing at best, cartoonishly unrealistic at worst. Their lack of depth makes it nearly impossible to connect, care or remember about their presence in the story.

The film's scenario, scenery and events (cooking meth and firing a gun unnoticed in a Police/Fire-station) are riddled with flaws and inconsistencies-many of which have been pointed out in other reviews as well. From plot holes to poorly thought-out sequences, the narrative fails to hold up under even minimal scrutiny. It's clear that neither the writers nor the directors invested the necessary effort to craft a compelling or cohesive story.

And then there's Ferry himself, portrayed by Frank Lammers. While his performance remains solid, his omnipresence in commercials airing hundreds of times a day during this holiday season in the Netherlands creates an overexposure that detracts from the character's impact. It's a shame that Netflix and the director's team opted for this money-driven -Christmas-time release-shortcut rather than focusing on the quality and originality that made the franchise successful in the first place.

In the end, Ferry2 feels like an unnecessary addition that tarnishes what could have been a strong legacy. For me, they should have left Ferry where he was and redirected their efforts toward creating a fresh, compelling narrative. This sequel is a another glaring reminder that not every story needs to be stretched to its limits-and beyond.

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.

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.