Director: Gavin O'Connor
Starring: Ben Affleck, Jon Bernthal, Cynthia Addai-Robinson, J.K. Simmons
Running Time: 132 minutes
Synopsis: Retired Financial Crimes Enforcement Director Raymond King (J.K. Simmons) is killed while meeting with professional assassin Anaïs (Daniella Pineda) to discuss the case of a missing Salvadorian family. King's successor and protégé Marybeth Medina (Cynthia Addai-Robinson) seeks help from elusive autistic accountant and trained killer Christian Wolff (Ben Affleck), and their investigation leads to a brutal human trafficking ring and a case of acquired savant syndrome. In need of more firepower, Christian calls upon his brother Braxton (Jon Bernthal) for backup.
What Works Well: This sequel is all about buzzy brotherly buddiness punctuated by bold uncompromising action and techno wizardry, all underpinned by discussions of autism and a mean streak of humour. Director Gavin O'Connor uses the packed agenda to build and maintain strong momentum, the character-building scenes alternating with bone-crunching brawls and high-casualty shootouts. Ben Affleck plays to his stone-faced strengths, leaving Jon Bernthal and Cynthia Addai-Robinson to inject animation. The climactic battle in the Mexican desert is quite epic.
What Does Not Work As Well: Both the narrative ambition and the running time needed a trim, as there is just too much going on. The human smuggling plot is almost lost in the shuffle, the core journey of the Salvadorian family and their gifted son reduced to shorthand.
Key Quote:
Wolff: Do I make you nervous?
Medina: Escaped convict...trained by mob accountants...clients are drug cartels, money launderers, several warlords...
Wolff: Is that a yes?
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