Fifty Shades Darker

Neither as good or as bad as so many commentators seem to think. It has high production values. The direction is unobtrusive. I haven't read the novels, so cannot really comment on the source material. Dakota Johnson hit the corruptible ingenue character pretty well, and looks smashing while doing so. Jamie Dornan, though... In my comments on the first movie, I compared his depth of emotion to a terminator. In this one, he at least attempts some emotional scenes. He doesn't do them very well, but he tries. Supporting cast, especially Marcia Gay Harden, were pretty good, with the exception of Kim Basinger. There is really no reason to see this, except as a continuation of the first movie. It could never stand alone.

While not having particularly high expectations, it must be said, I did go into this film with an open mind. However only a few minutes in and I already felt the urge to leave and fill my brain with something less awful and mind rotting.

It's not just the non-existent plot and hammy acting that let this film down, although they were major factors, the chemistry between the two leads was like watching two planks of wood getting together. None of what I saw made me believe he was an irresistible sex god with a dark side. And with Ana, let's just say biting ones lip every time something is suggested gets a bit old.

Furthermore, without wanting to spoil, is her IQ supposed to be about 50? I have to ask because she pretty much agrees to everything he says, and not in a dom/sub kind of way, more just because she doesn't seem to have the mental ability to argue. You have to wonder how she's employed in the first place.

I've seen some absolutely dire films but I can honestly say this is the worst film I've ever seen.

I sat through the last half of 50 shades darker today because my sister was using my Macbook to watch it... Let me sum it up for you:

Him: "I'm not good with people because I'm mysterious."

Her: "I like mysterious, but I'm scared cause I'm fragile."

Him: "Don't be afraid, I'm the one who is afraid... of hurting you."

*Have Some Sex*

Her: "You're so thoughtful, maybe I misjudged you. Now I want to be hurt... just not emotionally."

Him: "I always hurt people, but I would never hurt you... unless you wanted me to."

Her: "Ouch, you hurt me. Now my feelings are hurt and I'm sad and my whole life hurts."

Him: "I'm sorry if I hurt you. I'll try harder, but I don't think I'll ever change.'

Her: "I'm gonna pretend like I didn't hear that, but please don't hurt me again. I trust you to change for me- projects are fun."

Him: "Put these things in your ass."

Her: "No." Him: "Okay, I'm not good with people because I'm mysterious."

*Have Some Sex Again*

Aaaand Credits

The predictable plotting and the boring dialogues makes this sequel automatically uninteresting. "Fifty Shades Darker" is worst than the first movie because the characters have learned nothing and repeat the exact same unhealthy relationship. The two beautiful protagonists do their bests to treating sex like a pleasurable activity but is not enough and the result is not good. The thriller narrative, involving persons from Grey's strange past, exposes the shallowness of the story. What made the first unit of this trilogy so much better than the current version is that everything was then new. But now that we are familiar with the equipment in Christian's lavish penthouse, the novelty is gone and the boredom is here.

It's really not as dire as many of the armchair critics around here are making out. It's essentially just a well made, but derivative melodrama with some of the old BDSM thrown in to spice things up.

I have to admit I didn't notice much different with the change of directors. It does seem to follow on fairly logically from the first film, but if you're stepping in for the first time, you shouldn't have too many problems picking up the gist of things. I'd never try to argue the storyline is all that deep.

Dakota Johnson makes the film for me. She is a very appealing Ana and carries off the the vulnerable/strong character thing really well. Unlike some of the other reviewers around these parts, I think she succeeds in displaying plenty of chemistry with Christian. And speaking of that well-known male dominant, let me just add that I think Jamie Dornan plays that part quite well. Yes, he does appear kind of wooden and emotion-lite, but that's the way Christian is written in the books. And as many are aware, author EL James had a very big influence in the adaption of her books to the screen. For a start, her hubby Niall Leonard, is the sole script writer! All those expecting a vastly different screen persona of Christian are just whistling into a gale of a wind.

It was fun seeing Kim Bassinger turn up playing Elena, considering she starred in Nine and a Half Weeks, back 30 years or so ago and that film kicked up the same sort of reaction from critics as 50 Shades etc. ( It was also a commercial hit.) I'd never try to deny that the films all share great similarities. But that's Hollywood for you! What goes around, definitely comes back around!

Now about those little balls ...