Anatomie 2

From Dr. Frankenstein to Dr. Mengele, Germany has developed quite a reputation for…hmm.. how shall we put it?…"unconventional" men of science.

It's appropriate, then, that the German film "Anatomy 2" should be a brave-new-world sci-fi thriller that deals with the issues of biomedical ethics and just how far science should be allowed to go in trying to "improve" on Mother Nature.

Professor Muller-LaRousse is a world famous neurosurgeon who has been covertly conducting questionable experiments, implanting synthetic muscles into perfectly healthy young men and women (who also happen to be his devoted interns). Even though a disturbing number of these "guinea pigs" have died as a result of the procedures, LaRousse forges on, undeterred and undaunted, convinced - as any mad scientist worth his salt would be - that scientific advancement cannot be allowed to run aground on the shoals of a few trivial dead bodies. His plan is to create some sort of "master race" of invincible semi-humans. Jo Hauser is a promising young doctor who has come to Berlin to work and study under LaRousse, confident that he will be able to make a real difference not only in the lives of others but particularly in the life of his younger brother who has fallen victim to a degenerative neurological disorder. Filled with idealism, Jo allows himself to be pulled into LaRousse's group of sycophantic acolytes, perhaps to his everlasting regret.

The film is obviously intended as a modern day allegory of Nazism - what with its emphasis on group-think, unethical medical experimentation and talk about creating a "master race" - but the movie feels just too much like other - and better - dystopian sci-fi fantasies to be very effective. The intriguing medical ethics issues are eventually shunted aside for a series of protracted action scenes overflowing with typical mad scientist malarkey and man-on-the-run clichés.

That's a shame because the movie starts off with a better-than-average premise that promises a thoughtful re-examination of an age-old theme. However, "Anatomy 2" just winds up being silly where it most desperately needs to be serious.

Surprisingly sharp sequel to the original Anatomy finds a young med student getting involved with a drugged up woman who gets him involved with the AAA. The AAA has expanded their field of medical research from the first film. This time around they are using their youngest members to test out synthetic muscles, but of course their experiements get out of control which results in plenty of murder and mayhem.

Right on the same level, if not slightly better then the original. The script expands itself and tries to head in a different direction instead of being a copy of the original. And the film crew give the film a visually appealing look. It's one fast paced, sexy, smart, and thrilling ride.

Rated R; Violence, Profanity, Drug Use, Sexuality.

I have read every comment posted in regards to Anatomie 2 and I am strapped to find a positive review of it. I do understand why people have not enjoyed this movie… but I don't know if those people really ‘got it'.

Anatomie 2 is not trying to live up to it's predecessor, instead it is attempting to evolve to a grander more intelligent film. The first movie came directly to us via the Slasher Genre… this movie is presented as a more sophisticated Thriller. This also means that there is a great deal less of the gore fx.

It is really good to see German films reaching a grand audience over the past few years. Once upon a time Wim Wnders was about the only name people knew from German films. Now we have so many great films from the Fatherland. Films like Run Lola Run, Anatomy and Goodbye Lenin! Hopefully none of them will be tainted by Hollywood remakes.

I did not like this film nearly as much as the first Anatomie, however it doesn't deserve half of the back lash it has received. It still remains a great and suspenseful piece of German cinema. A lot less shock and gore, but probably more suspense and panic than part 1..

I give this movie 8 out of 10.

... last semester? Or last movie ... although to be fair we get a new group of people with at least one surviving character returning, to make an impact ... a little impact at least. And depending on what character I mean ... and what part of the movie I'm talking about. But back to basics - they really thought of things, medicine wise, something that is even more apparent in the first movie or at least feels like that.

We get another bunch of teenagers (or is tweens? Probably the latter, but I never bothered to check their age) who try to learn about Anatomy. And some have quite the freaky methods to do so. Now the motives of the villain(s?) of this movie are sinister but also they have good intentions ... when has that ever been a good excuse? I know - still it is quite intriguing and something that somewhat saves this movie from total obscurity.

Like the first one, this has a bonus scene right after the credits start rolling ... in this case it may be even more important ... well if there ever had been an Anatomy 3 that is ... because it seems like quite the set up for it ... but what do I know, right?

For some reason (what? I don't know) I had been putting off seeing this film for a while, even though I am a big fan of the first one. Well, after watching it I don't feel so bad about waiting so long. This film is probably about 60% more boring and uninteresting than the first; Not to mention Franka Potente's screen time is only about 10 minutes total. The film is only around an hour and a half long but it felt like we were sitting there for 2 and a half hours. It was extremely slow paced and uneventful...the only things good about it were the idea of the storyline, the one decent tension building scene and the brother of the main actor. Other than that I can't really give anyone that is a fan of the first a big reason to rush out and buy/rent this thing. 5/10