'Ready or Not 2: Here I Come' (almost) does it again
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Early on in the inevitably titled sequel “Ready or Not 2: Here I Come” (calling it “Ron 2” sounds like “Burgundy” should be in there somewhere), a sense of terror sets in, and not the good kind. More like, “Oy, they’re just going to do the same exact thing again, huh?”
The difference is obvious and about as low-effort as it gets: This time, as Grace (Samara Weaving, still terrific) attempts to evade another band of murderous psychos only pursuing her because of a long tradition among rich people who, you know, also worship Satan, she’s joined by her estranged sister Faith (Kathryn Newton) because when in doubt add a long-lost family member and call your sequel good to go. The scenes between Grace and Faith are fine and forgettable and not what anyone is here for, and the attempt to use this relationship to separate from the 2019 original just doesn’t accomplish much.
So how does another night of periodically humorous bloodshed avoid feeling like leftovers? Part of it is welcome additions like Sarah Michelle Gellar and Shawn Hatosy as a pair of horrendous siblings, and Elijah Wood as a lawyer whose rigidity never gets in the way of him having a point of view. While “Ron 2” (sorry) can’t replicate the original’s sharp depiction of horrible and gleefully self-destructive wealthy jerks — a very common depiction these days that’s become hard to do in a non-dull manner — it does reinforce the distance that can exist between financial success and character, and the ingenuity of a fighter who’s still underestimated despite what she did, like, yesterday.
It may be a bit hard to buy that Grace doesn’t pass out from exhaustion or even that she gets away from a couple of these scenarios. But these movies are nothing if not a portrait in courage and cowardice, free will determination vs. cruel and mindless obligation. And hell if it won’t always feel good to see the former win.
B-
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