My first 3/10 review.

Rating: 3/10 (2 September 2018)

The hype surrounding this film (especially from 'High Art' YouTube content creators such as YMS) is very much undeserved.
Because of it -
'...Cementing itself as one of the best sequels of all time'

is quite objectively wrong.

I do find myself stunned at how well some of the settings are blended with CGI, dazzling use of colour, and excellent set design.
But in retrospect, there is almost nothing else to commend. The dialogue is above average, considering its nature as a modern day sequel, and helps to build unique and interesting characters, but is then wasted with an atrocious, unbelievably awful ending.
There is little to no action, which would help to reinforce stakes, so instead at no point are you remotely concerned for any of the main characters.
Even as a thought provocative movie this fails on all fronts. The story is patchy at best and at points many options made by the characters felt unnecessary and unrelated to the situation at hand. Massive plot holes, such as there being numerous way for the vital information withheld to be leaked to the public, completely ruin anything - anything - of worth about this film on that front.
It was a very unsatisfying conclusion to the franchise and at this point I almost want a sequel to fix the state of this series of films. Frankly embarrassing.