Roland Emmerich returns twenty
years later in the much-anticipated sequel to the 1996 Sci-Fi blockbuster. With him, much of the original stars make a determined appearance, minus Smith whose
absence is remarkably apparent. With
that said, the younger cast is unable to capture the genuineness, wit, or affection of their predecessors as any real
character development is sorely lacking.
Hemsworth is not his brother's equal in presence or talent, and Jessie
Usher feels utterly lifeless as a replacement to Smith’s iconic portrayal. The remaining newcomers fare just as
disappointingly, with their collective, unmistakably stale performances. However, Goldblum, Paxton, and Spiner steal
the show, reliving their leads with a renewed zeal, with Spiner as the undisputed
standout in his extended role.
Where Emmerich fails is in his
reliance on CGI over the heart that made the first film so very special. The effects are stunning, but the lack of
the soul of the original eclipses their
massive presence. Add to that some
glaring plot anomalies, a predictable ending, and a lack of the feeling of real
danger, this second falls monumentally short.
Even the emotion and humor are forced, as the script drags through
another orgy of global destruction. What
a shame. Of course, they leave open the
possibility of a third, which, depending on revenues, may or may not
happen. 3 out of 5 Kernels; still a
cosmic sized joy ride, but after two decades in the making, they should have
delivered another modern day classic instead of an inferior counterpart.
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