****
The situation on the U.S/Mexico border has escalated, with humans replacing drugs as the most trafficked commodity. When terrorists manage to cross the border and create havoc in Texas, federal agent Matt Graver calls upon the sicario, Alejandro, to help him win the war.
When I watched Sicario, I was at home, hiding behind a cushion for the majority of the film for fear of what would happen next. Taking to the cinema to see the long-awaited successor, Sicario: Day of the Soldado (Sicario 2) managed to thrill, excite and grip me, but if you're looking for the shocks of the first, you won't find them here. Taking up his pen again, Taylor Sheridan has written a story that's undeniably different in tone to the first - whilst there were only hints of compassion and empathy to be felt there, the arch of this tale is a far more about humanity. Less bitter and far more forgiving than the first, Sicario 2 focuses on the changing relationship between Matt Graver (Josh Brolin, literally in everything at the moment) and Alejandro (Benicio del Toro) - two men arguably fatigued by the relentless drug war. The catalyst for their change of heart? Their mission: to kidnap the sixteen-year-old daughter of cartel lord, Carlos Reyes, the man who ordered the murder of Alejandro's family. Undoubtedly, there are still moments of harrowing violence, but this is narrative that leaves you feeling almost hopeful, whereas the other left me cold.
When I watched Sicario, I was at home, hiding behind a cushion for the majority of the film for fear of what would happen next. Taking to the cinema to see the long-awaited successor, Sicario: Day of the Soldado (Sicario 2) managed to thrill, excite and grip me, but if you're looking for the shocks of the first, you won't find them here. Taking up his pen again, Taylor Sheridan has written a story that's undeniably different in tone to the first - whilst there were only hints of compassion and empathy to be felt there, the arch of this tale is a far more about humanity. Less bitter and far more forgiving than the first, Sicario 2 focuses on the changing relationship between Matt Graver (Josh Brolin, literally in everything at the moment) and Alejandro (Benicio del Toro) - two men arguably fatigued by the relentless drug war. The catalyst for their change of heart? Their mission: to kidnap the sixteen-year-old daughter of cartel lord, Carlos Reyes, the man who ordered the murder of Alejandro's family. Undoubtedly, there are still moments of harrowing violence, but this is narrative that leaves you feeling almost hopeful, whereas the other left me cold.
In the preceding Sicario, one of the first things you notice is how visually striking it is. Juxtaposing haunting wide screen shots of trucks silhouetted against an unforgiving sunset with intense, personal close-ups, Roger Deakins' cinematography created an atmosphere both unsettling and oddly beautiful. Taking the helm from Deakins, Dariusz Wolski (most famous for his work on the Pirates of the Caribbean saga) attempts to emulate the work of his predecessor, but never quite accomplishes the same effect. From the opening few moments, I could tell that Deakins was not the man behind the camera for Sicario 2, and, in my opinion, the film suffers because of it. Yes, there are some striking visuals, including aerial footage of the armored vehicles crossing the border, but the tangible eeriness of the original remains, unfortunately, elusive. The nerve-jangling score of the first, however, remains, providing a sense of dread and foreboding that's hard to shake off, even after the film has finished.
An immersive thriller that's both articulate and artistic, Sicario 2 offers the viewer plenty to the enjoy. Whilst missing some of the elements that made the first a five star experience, this follow-up manages to weave a more personable narrative, developing the characters from the original with believable emotion. You still might want to take a cushion for some parts though...
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