It Had A Lot To Live Up To...

Rating: 6/10 (6 March 2020)

So, not such a great sequel. It did have a lot to live up to. And though it's not too dead it definitely doesn't have as much life or action as the original.
This could be down to the change in the writers, with only the Wibberleys staying on from the original. However, even the direction doesn't quite hit the right spots.
Even though the story has Ben Gates, Cage, in more personal dilemmas than the first story, I just couldn't get behind the tale or the character this time. Time has ticked by and the future has seen some changes in Gates' life. His sidekick Riley, Bartha, is living the good life on his one per cent. He has broken up with Abigail, Kruger, and she is now seeing new people. Then evidence comes to light asserting that one of his ancestors killed Abraham Lincoln. So he resolves to get the gang back together and solve this new mystery.
Unfortunately, the story isn't as well thought through and comes across a tad humdrum. Another undoing was the characters. These are not as distinct and complete as they were. The interactions between them appear forced, at times, and a little insipid. They feel as though they're there to move the story forward and not to add substance to the film. Even though the story calls for Ben and Abigail to rekindle their affections, their obvious chemistry from the first film is gone. Most of the time, there is an awkwardness between the two. In truth, all the wonderful transactions between the characters have taken a critical hit. Only Ben and his dad Patrick, Jon Voight, still have a semblance of the relationship they shared in the first story.
This leaves it up to Jon Turtletaub to save the film. This he does, though he doesn't reach the heights of the original. His main impediment is the end action sequence. Up to this point, there's been very little action. Then when we get to the great finale it's not that great. It's too crowded and frantic making it difficult to completely follow what's happening. This makes it less exciting to watch. Then when they get to the tipping balance you begin to think, WTF! It smacks of the writers and the director trying too hard to be cool.
The cast, as in the original, do a pretty decent job with the story and direction they are given. That is, except for Ed Harris. I have never been a big Ed Harris fan and this film shows why perfectly. A bad guy needs a persona, something the audience can boo or at least feel some satisfaction when they lose. Mitch Wilkinson has no persona whatsoever. In fact, the guy is so dull and tedious that when he makes his first appearance at Gates' presentation I'm amazed anybody notices him. He has the "Wha... wha... wha..." of Charlie Brown's teacher. This character needed an actor with screen presence.
Because the original film is so good I would not recommend you watch this film. It will be a letdown. Instead, do yourself a favour and watch the original again. If you've not watched the original yet then forget this one and get a copy of the first film, sit back, and enjoy that one.
Feel free to traverse over to my The Game Is Afoot and Holding Out For A Hero lists to see where I've charted this less than enthralling sequel. Who knows, your next favourite film may be awaiting you there.