Punk's Dead: SLC Punk 2

'PUNK'S DEAD: SLC PUNK 2': Two and a Half Stars (Out of Five)

A sequel to the 1998 cult classic 'SLC PUNK!'; once again written and directed by James Merendino. Actors Michael A. Goorjian, Devon Sawa, James Duval and Adam Pascal all reprise their roles (from the original film); as Heroin Bob, Sean, John the Mod and Eddie. Matthew Lillard (the star of 'SLC PUNK!') did not agree to return, to his most iconic role. The film also stars Ben Schnetzer, Machine Gun Kelly, Hannah Marks and Sarah Clarke (replacing Annabeth Gish, as Trish). The film tells the story of three outsider rebels, on a road trip to a punk rock show. It's definitely nowhere near as good (or as classic) as the original.

The story, this time, revolves around a 19-year-old misfit, named Ross (Schnetzer); the son of Heroine Bob (Goorjian) and Trish (Clarke). Bob died before Ross was born, but he still narrates his story; from beyond the grave. Ross just got dumped by a girl, and has decided to go on a road trip with two punk friends, Penny (Marks) and Crash (Kelly), to a punk rock show. Along the way he does drugs and alcohol, for the very first time, and his mother becomes very concerned; upon hearing about it.

The movie is extremely low-budget, and amateurish looking; which is very fitting for a movie about punks, and punk rock music. I admire the message of the film, and a lot of things the filmmakers were trying to say, but I just don't think it came together right (as a whole). The jokes are not funny, and the characters all seem like bad fake stereotypes. In a way, the movie kind of becomes what it's supposed to be fighting against. I respect it's ambition, and effort though; but it definitely doesn't live up to the original. There are some good live performance in it (from the likes of Dwarfs and Screeching Weasel), and the soundtrack is pretty cool though!

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I was glad when it was over.

I wonder why anyone would make such a listless movie.

The characters each seem indulgent yet none are developed to the point where they provide any interest.

The usefulness of a car ride as a sort of journey device is marginalized by the redundant and boring settings.

The production value is mix and match mediocre.

The narrator's bad acting is creepier than the creepiness of employing a dead narrator character.

The climax of the story is not even anti climatic, but at least you know the end is near.

The first SLC Punk answered some questions that people might (or might not have) asked. About the 80's midwest HxC Scene, what was going through these suburban white kid's heads.

It did the scene some justice, and while not quite breaking untread ground, it was fun enough.

This one came out of left field. Didnt answer any questions. And while SLC Punk might have been a passion project, I don't really know what this was, or who really wanted it.

I will say, I loved the scenes with Shawn and Matt the Mod, and even Crash when Bob's son wasnt on the screen. Overall, not too bad... Would I recommend it:?

No. There's far, far better. Like Penelope Spheeris' Suburbia.

First off let me start by saying that this holds no candle to the first one. This film is probably the worst film I have seen this year. I don't know which was more terrible, the soundtrack, the bad acting or the terrible costumes. The wigs alone looked old and cheap. This is NOT a punk movie. The acting is so bad, just as bad as Michael Goorjian's fake mohawk (which you can clearly see the line of across his forehead. BTW Bob's mohawk was never that long in the original movie, something they must have overlooked, but die hard fans of the first would never overlook. Bob did not even sound like Bob anymore. His voice was not edgy as the Bob in the original. Big fail on Michael's part. They call that a punk soundtrack? Really? It sounded like mainstream bullsht to me. When did 'punk' become mainstream? There are so many fails in this movie that I could go on for hours about, but I won't.

In my opinion, this movie should have never been made. It was horrible! The plot was horrible, the wigs were horrible, Bob was horrible, and it was a cheese fest. Avoid this movie! It is a waste of time, money, and I cannot believe they did this to what could have been something really good. I would give it zero stars if I could. Everyone in this film looked and acted like posers! No Steve-o, no film. BIG FAIL!

This turned out like an extended version of a Boy Meets World episode with more content related to my actual life. And it's significantly less corny. But the character development is nothing compared to the original SLC which may have to do a lot to do with it being told in 3rd person. It's also a road trip film and if you read Chuck Klosterman's take on road trip films, this is spot on and the film isn't about the anything other than an interpersonal character growth/reflection. I think the punk aspect is mostly an aesthetic and not very necessary to to the overall story, unfortunately. A lot seemed forced to make this happen, and as a fan of SLC Punk, I appreciate the attempt.