Hi Renovatio, I saw it on Friday. I definitely plan to see it again while it's at the cinema, and guaranteed I'll be watching it at home once it's released in UHD via Prime/ Netflix etc. too. If that doesn't tell you enough, here's my snap reaction. For context, I often cite Sicario as my favourite film of all time, so I'm a big fan of the original...

It matches the suspense of its predecessor beat for beat and imitates its visual style mostly successfully. The ending feels too hastily wrapped up and slightly sloppy, with some niggling unresolved questions, so it doesn’t feel quite as polished or perfectly packaged as the original. Nonetheless, this is one hell of a film, brilliantly acted and scripted. It’s certainly a worthy sequel. Shame about the crap title.

On the latter point, I recommend fans of the franchise simply call this film 'Soldado' instead of that disgraceful mouthful the studio chose. It makes sense that way. Film 1, Sicario. Film 2, Soldado. Film 3...?? Sobreviviente, perhaps?? (Survivor??)

@silverhawkins said:

Hi Renovatio, I saw it on Friday. I definitely plan to see it again while it's at the cinema, and guaranteed I'll be watching it at home once it's released in UHD via Prime/ Netflix etc. too. If that doesn't tell you enough, here's my snap reaction. For context, I often cite Sicario as my favourite film of all time, so I'm a big fan of the original...

It matches the suspense of its predecessor beat for beat and imitates its visual style mostly successfully. The ending feels too hastily wrapped up and slightly sloppy, with some niggling unresolved questions, so it doesn’t feel quite as polished or perfectly packaged as the original. Nonetheless, this is one hell of a film, brilliantly acted and scripted. It’s certainly a worthy sequel. Shame about the crap title.

On the latter point, I recommend fans of the franchise simply call this film 'Soldado' instead of that disgraceful mouthful the studio chose. It makes sense that way. Film 1, Sicario. Film 2, Soldado. Film 3...?? Sobreviviente, perhaps?? (Survivor??)

Agree. It was excellent. Left me wanting more and really hope there will be a third. Del Toro is just fascinating to watch.

Was a fan of the first, but than again how cant you be with Villeneuve behind the camera. Anyway my take on the new one is that it tried to copy the ascetics of the first but unfortunately failed in my eyes. The biggest thing missing from S2 is the tension and build up. I just didnt feel it. They had some good action and set up but it all just seemed rush, especially the end of the film. Dont get me wrong, it was still enjoyable to watch but I feel like it was lacking something.

The actors did a great job, really liked the Mexican farmer and the cute Moner did her best at being a stuck up brat constantly pouting. Del Toro and Brolin bring the A game for sure. You can tell they enjoyed themselves with this one. Didnt really care for the Mexican cousins. The pacing/editing was ok, didnt drag in any parts. The cinematography was...different. Villeneuve did a much better job. This just seemed straight forward with no heart behind it. But the biggest change I think is the script. I know Sheridan wrote this one as well. But wow, this one just seems like a action film with some drama/tension sprinkled in.

I dont know if that was Sheridans fault or the new director but yeah, I didnt really feel anything. I also dont know how to feel about the end. Seemed rush and I didnt like how they basically left it open for a third..but not in a good way IMO. If you are a fan of the first one you should def see this one. But as a general audience member I think most people will skip it.

@OddRob said:

it all just seemed rush, especially the end of the film. Dont get me wrong, it was still enjoyable to watch but I feel like it was lacking something.

The cinematography was...different. Villeneuve did a much better job..... But the biggest change I think is the script. I know Sheridan wrote this one as well. But wow, this one just seems like a action film with some drama/tension sprinkled in.

I didnt like how they basically left it open for a third..but not in a good way IMO.

I agree with a lot of this, particularly the rushed ending and set up for a third film. The first film didn't end on any kind of cliff hanger and resolved really neatly. I wish they had done the same with this, even knowing it will get a third film.

However, I really think the cinematography was still fairly superb. It might have fallen short of the inspiration of the first (eg. the tunnel scene, the football field, the border shootout), but it was still way above average polished and very much in line with the aesthetic of its predecessor. I also think it does a disservice to the script to categorise it as an action film with tension sprinkled in. From the first explosion, I was utterly engaged, perhaps not with the same sense of foreboding as the original, but I was no less captivated.

I don't think we're in disagreement that the original Sicario stands tall above this sequel, but I think Soldado deserves credit for keeping the spirit and high standard, and I will happily watch it and rewatch it again.

However, I really think the cinematography was still fairly superb. It might have fallen short of the inspiration of the first (eg. the tunnel scene, the football field, the border shootout), but it was still way above average polished and very much in line with the aesthetic of its predecessor. I also think it does a disservice to the script to categorise it as an action film with tension sprinkled in. From the first explosion, I was utterly engaged, perhaps not with the same sense of foreboding as the original, but I was no less captivated.

I think the cinematography was ok but def lacking from the first one. I think the most tension I felt was the beginning and also the suicide bombings. But after that it just seemed like it snowballed down the typical action Hollywood film. I didnt really feel anything close to tension/build up. I mean some scenes from the first one almost gave my wife a panic attack haha. So it just seemed like it was very much lacking IMO. Again, I dont think it was a 'bad' film, it just didnt hit the marks I was looking for in a sequel to such a great film.

It's not a bad film but not anywhere close to the level of the first Sicario. The first film has a few memorable scenes like Del Toro ambushing the drug dealer in his home and some of the haunting imagery the cartels causes with the bodies in the plastic and the decapitated bodies hanging.