Ben Affleck’s Sequel Is Higher In Each Method [SXSW]

Let me say proper up prime that I fairly like 2016’s “The Accountant.” It might need been a here-today, gone-tomorrow motion flick for a good variety of viewers, however I’ve an odd, private connection to it as a result of it was the final film I noticed in theaters earlier than leaving my residence state of Arizona for a brand new life in Austin, Texas. I say all of this to make some extent that I care in regards to the unique film greater than the common enjoyer of motion cinema. So, consider me after I inform you that the long-awaited “The Accountant 2” delivers the products.

Director Gavin O’Connor has reunited with Ben Affleck, who as soon as once more headlines the sequel because the mysterious Christian Wolff, an autistic man who occurs to even be an murderer with a code. O’Connor and Affleck, regardless of first tackling the idea almost a decade in the past, did not skip a beat with this reunion. After seeing the movie’s world premiere at SXSW, to my eye it is a funnier, extra confidently directed, wholly entertaining sequel that’s surprisingly not devoid of coronary heart. It improves on its predecessor in each approach.

The sequel as soon as once more facilities on Christian Wolff (Affleck), a person with a expertise for fixing advanced issues. When an outdated good friend is murdered, he leaves behind a cryptic message that unites Wolff with an surprising ally: U.S. Treasury Deputy Director Marybeth Medina (Cynthia Addai-Robinson). Collectively, they have to work to resolve a weird and multi-layered case. Wolff, needing assist, recruits his estranged brother Brax (Jon Bernthal). They uncover a lethal conspiracy and put themselves within the crosshairs of ruthless killers with secrets and techniques to cover.

“The Accountant” was a profitable motion film that did properly each in theaters and on residence video. Within the days of outdated, it is the type of film that any studio would have rushed to make a sequel to. Within the years because the unique got here out, although, a lot has modified. Hollywood suffered a pandemic, streaming has change into the dominant pressure, and moviegoing habits have seemingly been completely altered.

Trade circumstances should not issue into the evaluate of a serious movement image, however on this case they do. The actual fact is, a decade in the past, a film like “The Accountant 2” may not really feel as peculiarly particular because it does proper now. It’s, frankly, odd that that is taking place so a few years later, with Amazon stepping as much as assist make it occur. Why go to all this hassle, so lengthy after the unique got here out, to make this film occur? Effectively, seemingly, as a result of O’Connor, Affleck, and everybody else concerned really wished to make it, as evidenced by the truth that it is fairly good.

It felt prefer it might need been some determined money seize. Some determined try to create a franchise out of a once-successful factor. It is not. It is an sincere to goodness, good sequel. Perhaps that should not be so refreshing, but right here we’re.

It did not was once uncommon that sequels to profitable studio programmers have been a factor. A film for the sake of being a film is one strategy to put it. What’s type of wonderful about “The Accountant 2” is that it appears like that type of film. It additionally, relatively refreshingly, is not simply making an attempt to be the following “John Wick.” It is not over-stuffed with countless bullets and headshots. Reasonably, it is received a thriller to unravel, and characters to analyze. When the motion does occur, it feels earned and all of the extra thrilling. It actually works.

O’Connor directs with confidence and like a person having time. Equally, everybody on display screen is in on the enjoyable. Affleck, for my cash, by no means will get credit score for being pretty much as good of an actor as he’s. His efficiency as Christian Wolff could not be extra totally different than one thing like 2020’s “The Method Again,” one other rattling wonderful Gavin O’Connor joint I’d add. It will be simple for Affleck to make Christian a joke. As a substitute, he tries to offer the character actual depth, and this sequel does loads to additional the character, making him extra three-dimensional and sympathetic.

An enormous a part of that has to do with the truth that Bernthal’s Brax is not only a supporting character this time. He is a co-lead, and we get to see the connection between these brothers unfold. There’s actual emotional weight there, simply as a lot as there’s precise enjoyable being had. The chemistry between these two is what makes the sequel sing. It is really hilarious at instances. It is charming at different instances. I am a bit embarrassed to confess it made me tear up greater than as soon as. I’m not joking.

Is it typically outlandish? Fully, however since when did motion pictures must be practical? Escapism typically works very properly after we can depart actuality behind. What I can say with confidence is that anybody who loved “The Accountant” will undoubtedly take pleasure in this follow-up. It is uncommon that sequels outdo what got here earlier than, however O’Connor manages to take action right here. That is pure popcorn leisure, executed successfully. Let me put it this manner: In the event that they make three extra “Accountant” motion pictures, I’ll watch three extra “Accountant” motion pictures. Truthfully, I hope they do. 

“The Accountant 2” hits theaters on April 25.

/Movie Ranking: 8 out of 10