Sicario: Day of the Soldado (2018)

From 10 stars I deducted following stars for: * instigating hate and racism by creating evil stereotypes (and later, when the emotions are already created telling in a minor side-mark that the stereotype was false - clever move to wash the producer's hands in innocense) * misleading trailer purposely cutting out its xenophobic connotations * jumping around back and forth in the story with no clear script-line * unrealistic scenarios for the sake of justifying action * inconsistent character-development so I could not really relate to anyone * after having painted certain groups as enemies their deaths become numbers, justifying a massacre whilst the main characters with faces are saved just as the obligatory dog always is saved in each disaster movie * a total unbelievable twist of someone's fate * a dissatisfying "ending" which obviously is only designed to justify sequels for uncritical action-fans.

Soldado is a solid follow up to the original. With Emily Blunt's absense, Del Toro and Brolin get increased screen time, and they carry the movie on their soldiers. The opening sequences are intense and hard to watch, and it's the overwhelming intensity that makes this movie one heck of a ride.Sollima does a solid job doing a Villeneuve impersonation. There is very similar cinematography making this movie feel like the first one, however it's a very different movie. The suspense of particular scenes is on par if not greater than the original. The action is turned up in this one and more brutal. This makes the movie it's own movie. I don't understand a lot of the negative reviews. It's a solid movie in its own right. Some people feel liked the ending was stupid and ruined the movie and too me, the ending is what make this an 8 instead of a 10. I think if they had changed it and a certain character stayed the way he was, it could have been an interesting take and shown true consequences for the life of a sicario, but then they couldn't set up a sequel. Positives- Del freaking Toro Increased screen time for Brolin. More great action scenes Better story. Solid soundtrack More stakes than the originalNegatives- Feels like it relies on the first one to justify its existence The ending 8/10

Absolutely love the first 'Sicario', a strong contender for Denis Villeneuve's (have a great personal admiration for him) best and a tour-De-force of film-making. It is superbly well made, directed and acted, is tightly written, tense and uncompromising in atmosphere.So when hearing that there was going to be a sequel, part of me was excited. Due to Josh Brolin and Benicio Del Toro returning, as well as Taylor Sheridan as writer, and being intrigued by the concept. Part of me was also apprehensive, with it not being as acclaimed critically and whether the new cinematographer, director and composer would do well filling big shoes. Friend word of mouth was positive and it actually looked good, so that was enough to make me see it. Am so glad of giving it a chance, for me 'Sicario: Soldado' had a lot to live up to and managed to be almost as great as its predecessor, definitely one of my favourite recent film viewings and compares favourably with other 2018 films seen so far.Catherine Keener and Matthew Modine are basically window-dressing but 'Sicario: Soldado's' main, and only big one, problem is the ending (or last ten minutes), which strained credulity and was both rushed and anti-climactic.However, even with a different focus (focusing less on the drug war compared to the first film) but the spirit, basic core and amorality present before are still maintained and doesn't radically change much and things are elaborated upon..'Sicario: Soldado' is impeccably made for starters, the setting is both audacious and visceral in showing the horrors and brutality of the setting and the editing is tight, stylish and enhances the brutal atmosphere. The cinematography is not Roger Deakins, but there are no signs of slouching with Dariusz Wolski whose cinematography is just as stunning and dark in grit, doing almost as amazing a job at bringing out the visceral horror.The music score is haunting and pulse-pulsating, one can actually feel their heart beat with tension and anticipation. The sound editing is suitably authentic and Taylor Sheridan's script is just as tightly structured and complex as before. Stefano Sollima's direction has class and matches the beautiful darkness and especially the hard edge Villeneuve showed in 'Sicario' without being an imitation.The story is just as taut and compelling, if not quite as energetic, having lost none of the brutality and edge that was there before. The setting, atmosphere and subject are neither overdone or sugar-coated, instead being suitably murky and dark. There are brilliant moments here, especially the suicide bomb attack which was nail-biting and superbly staged. The shocking execution scene and the adept choreography of the gun battles also impress.All the performances are never less than strong. Benecio Del Toro is nothing short of extraordinary, he is absolutely chilling but brings a conflicted edge that gives Alejandro complexity and stops him from being one-dimensional. Josh Brolin doesn't have as much to do this time round but all the qualities his performance had in the first film are present here. Isabela Moner more than holds her own and has impressive moments, her character easily could have been annoying but actually found myself feeling for her more than once.Overall, a great much better than expected sequel to a masterwork. 9/10 Bethany Cox

Loved this film! The tension keeps you riveted to the screen. Brilliant direction, cinematography and acting.