Apparition | USA | 118 min
By the traditional definition The Boondock Saints II: All Saints Day is not a good movie, but as the last few years have taught us with films like Crank, Gamer, Crank 2, Bad Boys II, and most recently Ninja Assassin, sometimes that traditional definition does not apply. Writer/director Troy Duffy has delivered a film that packs a punch of stylized violence and offensive yet still comical (in their own sadistic way) one liners to make anyone who was already a fan of the brothers happy and anyone who was on the fence have an enjoyable experience with the movie. However, anyone who despises the first film will not find anything that will change their opinion of The Saints.
The plot of the film is simplistic by nature but fits perfectly into the world Duffy has created. Eight years after the events of The Boondock Saints the brothers have gone into hiding with their father in Ireland. When they get word that a priest was murdered in such a way as to make it look like they are the murders they head back to Boston to seek out the one responsible and anyone who had a hand in the planning. The film pretty much follows the formula of the first one from that point. We see Duffy use the same time jumping techniques he used in the first film and many of the character personalities have not changed (though it is clear that age has effected them in some way).
Of course one of the notable changes is that of Julie Benz filling in the role left behind by Willem Dafoe. Though she does not have nearly the same flamboyant charisma that Dafoe brought to the first film she does bring her own unique – yet flawed – charm to the new installment. There are moments where the dialogue she delivers is somewhat cringe worthy, but the way she handles herself and the character allows her to get away with it… sometimes. Much like Benz, another major cast change is Clifton Collins Jr. taking over the role left by David Della Rocco. The character he portrays in Boondock II feels very similar to the one he plays in Crank II. His character doesn’t care about how others view him and he simply wants everything to go the way he envisions it. This makes for some very comical moments with the brothers.
The brothers have not changed between the first and second film. They still have the same outlook on the world that they always had. To them, everything is about family, respect, and following the basic rules of life. They still make many references to pop culture as they did in the first film and yes they still have their rope. These two are the epitome of the living-in-the-moment lifestyle. They rarely plan ahead and just role with the punches, literally. Everything that made them cult icons is still there, the prayer, the sunglasses, the coats, the guns, and the charisma. They are just an enjoyable duo to watch and there is not much else to say beyond that.
While Duffy is not known for providing deep, philosophical character development he does make an attempt in this film. In this case it is the back story to the brothers father Il Duce played by Billy Connolly. Done through flashbacks of 1950’s New York we get to see how Il Duce came to be. It is not the most coherent back story ever given in film history but it shows that Duffy is trying to expand beyond the role of strictly a flashy filmmaker.
The film is a definite step up for Duffy in terms of style. It is clear he tries – though fails – to create a unique visual style that one would be able to recognize as his. Since this is only his second film he has a long way to go. But the fact remains that these flaws are welcomed by fans, and he ends up using it as a strength. Also to his credit, Duffy is a man that never stops thinking. The movie is jampacked with many moments that are supposed to help progress the story. Unfortunately, this also leaves little room for a breather moment. The film is constantly moving and never gives the audience a chance to completely take in what is happening. Had there been a few moments of exposition the plot of the film would have been much stronger.
If you loved The Boondock Saints then you’ll love The Boondock Saints II: All Saints Day. If you hated The Boondock Saints then you’ll hate The Boondock Saints II: All Saints Day. It is clear that this new installment is for fanboys of the first film and by those terms the film succeeds in what it attempts to do. If you walk into this film expecting nothing more than a glamorized spectacle of violence and humor then you will have an enjoyable experience.
7 out of 10
What did you think of All Saints Day?