IR Film Review: A QUIET PLACE - PART II [Paramount]
The approach in any sequel is one of structure and continuation. The interesting idea of "A Quiet Place" and its actual effectiveness was based on the notion of silence. The question becomes how to do that especially with one of your main protagonists is, story-wise, not really available for the second film. Director John Krasinski finds a way and writes it as well. His approach is slightly different because it is not the approach of a classical screenwriter. While the original screenwriters wrote the 1st film, he wrote this one all himself (the film was completed in terms of filming and initial intended release pre-pandemic). The eventual reveal (as the movie moves forward -- without giving anything away) feels is more like a novel, but also akin to some of the better episodes say of "Lost" (in more ways than one). It does show the actual blurring of lines between streaming content and theater material (in a good way).
But this film, like the first, deserves to be seen in a theater. Krasinski has a slightly bigger budget but keeps it lean and knows where to use it. The beginning, which the trailer teased, shows an interesting prologue which this reviewer won't give away but what it does is amp up the energy to lay the viewer in for the build again. It is really smart but it also doesn't rehash the first film. It assumes the viewer knows what is going on. What is also intriguing is the power structure. The kids, in a certain way, especially Millicent Simmonds as Regan really take the driver's seat which is a powerful approach but also has to be handled in the right way to make sure it is deserved. This can only be done by the balance of other characters. Emily Blunt is, of course, intrinsic here but not egotistical enough (and also trusting her director husband) that she doesn't need to be the center of the story.
Also introducing Cillian Murphy as Emmett is important especially where the notion of trust is concerned (and again the trailer teased this just right). While his character is not fully defined (on purpose in way), his balance of character structure versus Millicent (who he has a majority of his scenes with) shows a more understated side than the characters we saw him do earlier in his career. Krasinski knows how to effectively use his actors and the movie is like a treasure hunt in many ways where the puzzle pieces keep moving. The unusual aspect is the way it ends, both satisfying and with questions, but also allowing that if that is the end of the story, it is a worthwhile movement and inclusion in terms of growth. It also speaks of a larger world and an eventual third story (whatever it may be).
It seems Blunt has said recently that she could see it as a trilogy which would make sense and give the journey both the validity and classical structure where Krasinski could finish his vision. Plus she does know how he works of course. And then beyond that, the stories this basis could tell in a larger world is undeniably "Walking Dead" territory (with Paramount+ or Amazon likely partners). The take away is that "A Quiet Place - Part II" is not its predecessor and it can't be. But like "The Conjuring" but in a different way, it stays true its story, true to its world, true to its style and grows its characters all in significant ways, with Regan as a character being the clear vision of where the story might go. She is the embodiment in many ways of her father, and Krasinski in fashioning his story and his characters, both understands the cornerstone of current modern storytelling but a classical structure and universality that continues to be undeniably effective. B+
By Tim Wassberg
