A Quiet Place: Part II – Movie Reviews by Ry!
A Quiet Place: Part II – In the Silence of Survival
It is seconds of the moment. A feeling rushes through, pulling on strings of intensity. From the calculated sounds to the seconds of silence, the trivial moments become an unpredictability of survival. No matter the outcome, it is the suspense that makes you want to know what will happen. In this review, I look at a film that is a continuation of a remarkable foray into horror. A story that puts you in the forefront of survival, this sequel takes the approach of expanding what is known and making it even more intense. With a strong cast and a setting that would make anyone break, A Quiet Place: Part II showcases the continuation of what it means to be scared in silence.
Taking place within moments of the original, we follow the Abbott family as they are forced to venture further into a world unknown. With only themselves to trust, they will see there are more dangers beyond making the slightest sounds. John Krasinski (Writer/Director) takes this sequel and pushes forward the concept of danger with sounds. Within that concept, we watch as the Abbott family leave their farmhouse and venture to find another safe space. Through some circumstantial plot progression, they encounter a family friend, who is also trying to survive. Through some quick conversational exposition, we learn about his struggles and lost (due to the creatures). From this point, it becomes a matter of trust and survival. Within the rest of the journey, the foundation re-examines the gimmick (of the first). Instead of just rehashing what worked originally, Krasinski builds upon the basics through subtle character growth. Through the main cast, there is an understanding of what bounds their circumstances. Through this, there is a layer of intelligence to the handling of dire moments. When confronted with the expanded world, the strength comes in calculated risk. This adds credence to the suspense, building a relativity (for the audience) to situations that occur. Even with the creatures in full picture, you still have raw intensity in the unpredictable nature of what comes next.
By venturing into the outside world, you come to feel the lostness of what has happened. The singular story branches into two parallel paths: Evelyn Abbott (Emily Blunt) has to protect her two boys as her daughter, Regan Abbott (Millicent Simmonds) and Emmett (Cillian Murphy) look to find the source of the radio. As there is a divergence in story, it raises the experience of the expanded world. With slight foreshadowing, you see as the two parties work in unison to provide that growth, reeling in human nature at its core. That delicate balance of moments is driven by the gravity of each situation, building upon a direction that masterly weaves tone, mood, pace and ironically sound. The expansion beyond the gimmick allows for blending of action elements within the thriller concept, creating something that pushes originality in what could have been monotonous journey of the original. As you head into the final act, everything becomes a matter of race against time, leading to a climax that is abrupt but brings meaningful gratification. A Quiet Place: Part II is that rare sequel that builds upon its foundation to create something unique. With a strong cast and a world that is frightfully believable, you will be on the edge of your seat till the end. If you are a fan of those involved or enjoyed the first, this is one for you. I say it is worth the full price of admission.
Full Score – 4 out of 5 (Full Price)