a quiet place part ii review
I quite enjoyed 2018’s A Quiet Place even if the universal praise heaped upon it was a bit much. A Quiet Place Part II is superior in every way and represents the (still) somewhat rare sequel that manages to take a great concept and make it even greater. This is no soulless cash grab. Forgive the blasphemous hyperbole of invoking Ellen Ripley, but both Emily Blunt’s Evelyn and Millicent Simmond’s Regan reminded me of the famously courageous heroine. Their dogged commitment to protecting one another at any cost informs the action and is the reason the tension ramps up to eleven whenever the blind beasts appear. Director John Krasinski demonstrates scene after nail-biting scene the oft-overlooked conception that true terror/tension is not borne from gore or creature design, but in fearfulness for the welfare of the characters. The latter must be in place for the former to matter. Speaking of gore, A Quiet Place Part II is a PG-13 horror movie that doesn’t feel neutered or watered down. The star of the show is character and that is the way it should be. Millicent is a rising star. Her portrayal of Regan stands out and I hope she continues to take on roles that showcase her notable talent. It is often stated that most human fear stems from a fear of the unknown. The creatures in A Quiet Place Part II are reflective of this notion as we’re never given a clear reason for why they aggressively and unrelentingly dispatch any humans they should hear. Filling in those blanks with our imagination adds to the frights.
A Quiet Place Part II is a simple horror/thriller film that gets nearly everything right. The pacing, casting, acting and cinematography meld together to create a fantastically entertaining experience. 9/10