A Quiet Place Part II

A Quiet Place Part II

Following the events at home, the Abbott family now face the terrors of the outside world. Forced to venture into the unknown, they realize that the creatures that hunt by sound are not the only threats that lurk beyond the sand path.

  • Released: 2021-05-21
  • Runtime: 97 minutes
  • Genre: Horror, Thrillers
  • Stars: Emily Blunt, Cillian Murphy, Millicent Simmonds, Noah Jupe, Djimon Hounsou, John Krasinski, Wayne Duvall, Scoot McNairy, Okieriete Onaodowan, Blake DeLong, Silas Pereira-Olson, Scott Matheny, Liz Cameron, Lauren-Ashley Cristiano, Ashley Dyke, Andy Rich, Robert A. Coldicott, Bill Smith, Zachary Golinger, Sheri Fairchild, Barbara Singer, Gary Sundown, Kyle Licht, David Lundy, Krzysztof Mardula, Alice Sophie Malyukova
  • Director: John Krasinski
 Comments
  • milosmilanovic-88314 - 7 January 2023
    Yeah, no
    This didn't need to happen, this sequel. It adds nothing to the first part, it even ends by the same realization as the first one does - namely how to hurt the aliens.

    But the plot and the character behavior is nonsensical. While the first movie was forgiven for many issues because it was sort of original, the sequel doesn't get that benefit, because it's literally just more of the same. The miniscule advancements in the story could and should have all been in the first part, there isn't nearly enough content here for a sequel.

    But the worst thing is how things happen just to add to the drama, not because they are meaningful. The aliens sometimes hear things and sometimes not, the baby cries only when it's needed to add to the drama, characters do things for the same reason, not because their actions make any sort of sense. You can be under "three feet of concrete" so the aliens don't hear you, while still getting perfect radio reception on an ancient transistor... That is broadcasting some random song that is actually a secret message to go to a random island because just telling people to come to the island was too easy I guess.

    And then the aliens (that by now have demonstrated a complete lack of intellect, they feel more like animals than a space-faring species, but somehow these reached Earth on a spaceship) can't swim but one of them somehow ends up on the island because it's more dramatic that way.

    I'm sorry, there's just too many stupidities per minute in this one to make it worth your time. Don't let it ruin a Saturday evening to you, like it did to me.
  • I_Ailurophile - 7 October 2022
    If lesser, it's only by degrees
    I dearly love 2018's 'A quiet place.' It's one of the most perfect movies I've ever seen, a stupendous blend of weighty emotional beats with excruciating tension, suspense, and genuine horror, terrific in all ways and certainly not least of all Marco Beltrami's exceptional score. I've long been ambivalent the sequel since it was announced; how could anything hope to follow so exquisite a feature? Well, I should have had more faith; with John Krasinski returning as director, and assuming full writing credit, let there be no doubt that 'Part II' is excellent.

    With the harrowing, wrecked world of the pictures already firmly established, and the relatable and sympathetic chief characters introduced, the possibilities are opened up for how the sequel can build off the events of the 2018 film. In some measure I think aspects of the narrative here feel relatively common as genre fare - slightly more action-oriented, the promise and peril of sanctuary, more face to face confrontation with the destructors, the other threats that have persisted or grown over time. Yet insofar as 'Part II' is "ordinary," it is without a doubt as Extraordinary as Ordinary could be. I seem to have forgotten since I last watched 'A quiet place' just how hard it hits at psychological moments, how gnawing the dread was; how visceral the utmost blood, gore, and violence, and how powerful the tension simply on account of the hushed tone of the production. Between my short memory and general cynicism in regards to sequels, I simply wasn't prepared for just how sharp and impactful this follow-up ended up being.

    Plot aside, everything about 'Part II' - truly, everything - is just as brilliant and impeccable as what we saw before. Just as the story brings us right back to where the previous title ended, in every other way no one has missed a beat over four years. Beltrami returns with a pulse-pounding, dynamic score; the sound design and effects are magnificent. Filming locations, production design, and art direction bring the ruin to vivid life alongside superb costume design and hair and makeup work. The creatures are as terrifying as ever, the blood and gore are vibrant and cringe-worthy, and stunts and effects are spot-on. Cinematographer Polly Morgan, taking over from Charlotte Bruus Christensen, illlustrates a splendid command of her art form, and Krasinski's direction is beyond reproach. Every contribution of those behind the scenes is great - and by all means, the cast readily impress once again. Emily Blunt, Millicent Simmonds, and Noah Jupe arguably have their characterizations expanded given what they went through in the first movie, and all three actors carry tremendous skill and presence that makes them a joy to watch. Cillian Murphy, meanwhile, is almost unrecognizable given the design of his character, but again shows why he's a talent that's constantly in demand.

    With the separate directions that the tale takes, either could have easily been explored more. As with the first picture, however, this one never overstays its welcome: it strikes hard and fast, and similarly ends curtly - with, yes, still more potential for where a third entry could pick up if Krasinski and the cast were so inclined. As solidly as this sequel beat my expectations, I can honestly say I'd be open to a third. I remain partial to the 2018 movie, and I do think it's superior, but in fairness that could be a reflection of how it was so fresh and new. Still, it's worth repeating that to whatever marginal extent this is any lesser a creation, it's only by a matter of degrees, and not whole numbers. Anyone who enjoyed the story told the first time around should find this just as rewarding an experience, and given the cues now taken from a wider array of genre flicks, the audience is arguably expanded for this. One way or another 'A quiet place part II' is another outstanding slice of cinema, standing tall above many of its brethren and well worth checking out.