Le mauvais camp 2

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 must say i had high hopes but Ferry 2 is an uninspired, poorly executed sequel that tarnishes the legacy of its predecessor. The plot is shallow and aimless, riddled with clichés and devoid of emotional impact. Even Frank Lammers can't save the lifeless script or bring depth to the hollow characters.

The action lacks energy, the pacing drags, and the once-gritty tone feels sanitized and generic. This sequel offers nothing new, only recycling tired tropes in a half-hearted attempt to cash in on the original's success.

A lazy, forgettable mess - Ferry 2 is a sequel that should never have been made.

A sequel we probably didn't need but somehow got anyway. Ferry Bouman, the charismatic anti-hero who muscled his way out of the Undercover series and into his own spin-off, is back to grace us with another jaunt through Belgium's underworld. The man who stole the spotlight from the painfully dull policeman "Bob", proving once and for all that crime does, in fact, pay - until it doesn't. We watched Ferry's rise and inevitable fall, losing everything, including his so-called "kingdom." And by "kingdom," I mean a scrappy camping ground with his equally scrappy wife Danielle. But credit where it's due - Frank Lammers lends Ferry a tragic, almost Shakespearean credibility, even when surrounded by beer cans and bad decisions.

This time around, our likeable loser has retired to sunny Spain, the go-to destination for washed-up European criminals to live once more in the unglamourous confines of a caravan, until it gets trashed by his niece Jezebel. (And no, I didn't make that name up - apparently, the Dutch did.) Jezebel, who is technically the daughter of Ferry's late niece drags her boyfriend along for the ride and demands Uncle Ferry's help with a little "business issue." Just your everyday problem of delivering ecstasy pills to a psychopathic drug dealer. Because nothing says "family bonding" like a high-stakes drug deal.

In today's cinematic era of girl bosses, Jezebel is barely tolerable, being believable as white trash and moderately annoying. But the plot plays out like a greatest hits compilation of crime thriller clichés. The order for pills is miraculously ready (of course), only to be derailed by predictable backstabbing and double-crossing. And just for kicks, there's the looming family secret: Jezebel doesn't know what happened between Ferry and her father, which is sure to rear its melodramatic head at the worst possible moment.

Is Ferry 2 as bad as some reviewers here claimed? Not quite. Lammers brings his A-game, portraying Ferry as a broken, sardonic has-been who still manages to be oddly sympathetic. The bleak Flemish landscape adds its usual dose of gloom and general despair. It's not brilliant cinema, but it's not a total trainwreck either. It's a dark, messy, slightly depressing crime movie that coasts on Lammers' charm and Ferry's razor-thin likability. Not great, but at least it's better than camping with Bob.

PS and if they plan to make yet another spin-off with Jez as main character I'll definitely bail out.

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.

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.