Cinquanta sfumature di nero

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 ...

You know what you're going to get when you watch this so why all the low ratings? It was never going to win an Oscar. It's a decent watch and I quite like watching how their relationship develops over the three films. It's easy watching and whilst I agree he can be a bit wooden at times, I think that's the point of his character. He's not comfortable with emotion! I think it's an easy watching love story and shows how two people develop and compromise when they love each other. Yes, it will never win awards but it is enjoyable. And for the record, I never read the books until years after they came out. I'm not a die hard fan of them at all as found them quite repetitive, but I did enjoy the films.

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.

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

OK. So why does it seem many haters are men? That is not the target audience. I liked the eye candy ie Dakota Johnson, Jamie Dornan. For me, one of the funniest scenes is the exchange between Ana and Hanna after Ana gets Jack's old job. Right out of Working Girl! Did anybody else pick up on that? I read only about the Fifty Shades phenomena-not read the books. Watching this film caused me to watch the first and third movies. This isn't any great film. Most films aren't expected to be cinematic classics. The best thing I liked about this movie was the soundtrack.