Smile 2 gets bigger, louder, and flatter in a gaudy, gory sequel.
For some, the formal ambitiousness of the argument scene is exactly what they want from a sequel toSmile.
Unfortunately for Skye, Lewis is the latest host for the Smile Demon.
And so does the audience.
In execution, however,Smile 2s visuals are exhausting.
Smile 2falters for the same reason as its predecessor.
Interesting stories have been told about uninteresting people, even those in heightened reality.
But Finn undercuts any potential critique of excess by makingSmile 2equally excessive.
When not shooting his actors in center-frame close-ups, Finn does his own attention grabbing bravado shots.
Joels pre-credit storyline is presented almost entirely in a visceral oner, something from an episode ofTrue Detective.
In a drama, these missteps would be distracting.
And thats a problem.
The movie wants to charge us viewers with invading Skyes space by constantly staring at her.
The adversarial gambit backfires, making the viewers feel invaded by Skye constantly staring directly back at us.
And thats not the viewers fault.
Rating:
2 out of 5
