foxc-2

I certainly agree with the panning of this very intense film even though I gave it a high rating which I did because when it's good, it's very good - "intense" doesn't begin to approach how gripping this film and especially the performance of Paridot is. Granted though, the characters are one dimensional: they're either totally evil, total losers (like the mother) or possessed of angelic patience and calm. I'm a soft-hearted former teacher and believe in second chances but Malony gets one hundred and two and still screws up. I kept thinking as he messed up violently yet again that THIS was the time they'd throw away the key but no, "one more chance". Totally unrealistic and a vision of money wasting in the public sector that should be cut off tomorrow.

Flawed certainly if you're expecting a reprise of part 1 but certainly brilliant in the special effects which are extravagant and mind-numbingly overwhelming. The plot, minimal as it is, continues the saga of the first film but otherwise follows predictable sci-fi/comic-derived paths; character development is also minimal and phony, personal interactions and situations are sentimental and boring used mainly to provide relief from the near constant barrage of sound and explosive visuals; music is triumphal or soft and flowing as befits the screen action. It's also flawed in the sense that they tried to incorporate some of the features that made the 1st film such a surprise and delight: the sparkling, inventive dialogue with its outrageous puns and allusions to the 70's occurs in part 2 but now it's thrown in out of context and totally bewildering in terms of its meaning. Similarly the cassette of 70's music and some songs of the era make predictable appearances but in a casual, pointed and rather nonsensical way. Part 2 takes itself seriously like many other "save humanity from aliens" features whereas Part 1 was whimsical and lighthearted where Part 2 is angry, driven and almost brutal at times. I gave Part 2 6 for the captivating, riveting special effects but the other 4 are lost for trying to incorporate features of Part 1 that no longer fit. IMAX 3D is stunning and do sit through ALL the credits; you won't be disappointed.