As a long-time admirer of cinematic masterpieces that push the boundaries of horror and suspense, I must say that “Smile 2” is a rollercoaster ride that showcases Naomi Scott‘s remarkable talent in a gripping performance. The film’s narrative might be predictable, but it’s the unexpected twist of transforming pop music into a supernatural psychosis that sets it apart.
In a chilling follow-up, the title character exhibits Britney Spears-like pop diva madness tinged with the uncanny in a grisly sequel. Star Naomi Scott breathes life into an otherwise ordinary script with a captivating portrayal that highlights her versatility. She sings, dances, and breaks down in heart-stopping fear as she confronts a malevolent grinning entity tearing apart her reality. The film’s strong opening act loses momentum as it overstays its welcome, dragging out the premise. It may move slowly for some viewers, but those who appreciate increasingly intense scenes of torment and violence will find it compelling.
Six Days Later…
Six days following the grim incidents associated with the original, a police officer named Kyle Gallner resorts to extreme actions in an attempt to break free from the dreaded Smile curse. Unfortunately, his strategy doesn’t yield the desired results. Subsequently, we encounter Skye Riley (Scott) on Drew Barrymore’s daytime chat show. The crowd erupts in applause as Skye unveils her plans for a comeback tour after a challenging year. Her struggles with substance abuse resulted in a tragic car accident that claimed the life of her celebrated actor boyfriend. Skye, who now sports short, blonde hair instead of her former black tresses, openly discusses the physical and emotional wounds she carries as a result of the severe trauma she experienced.
Elizabeth (played by Rosemarie DeWitt), who is both Skye’s mother and manager, swiftly guides her past a crowd of enthusiastic fans from the studio. Whenever Skye (portrayed by Miles Gutierrez-Riley) feels anxious, she drinks Voss water, which Joshua (also Miles Gutierrez-Riley), her attendant, always has on hand. This frequent consumption of Voss water in Smile 2 makes it seem like a lengthy advertisement for the brand, as if they had invested a significant portion of their budget on product placement.
Skye rehearses a challenging dance sequence for a major event. Exhausted by the intricate moves, she falls in agony. Elizabeth decides to end the day and escorts Skye to her luxurious Manhattan penthouse, but instead of going home, Skye rushes to her high school acquaintance who deals drugs for pain relief. When Skye arrives, Lewis (Lukas Gage) answers the door in a distraught state. Strange and frightening occurrences have been happening to him.
Excess Exposition (And Tons of Gore)
In an unexpected twist, the storyline of “Smile 2” deviates from the pop music backdrop of its predecessor. The lead character, Skye, contrasts significantly with Sosie Bacon’s therapist in the initial film. While Parker Finn’s first movie built its symbolism around guilt and thoughts of self-harm, this second installment explores themes such as celebrity fame, the impact of social media, and addiction.
As a movie enthusiast, I found the dynamic between Skye and her overbearing mother to be an intriguing aspect, yet it seemed to divert the narrative focus from the primary horror theme. The filmmaker’s emphasis on Skye’s glamorous appearances for photoshoots, grand stage performances, and temper tantrums backstage created a considerable amount of supplementary material. While delving into Skye’s family life and career is understandable, I believe it was over-exaggerated in this instance. These scenes could have been trimmed down significantly for a more streamlined edit, maintaining the core essence of the story.
As a dedicated cinephile, I must say that Finn pushes the boundaries of on-screen violence to nauseating extremes. Bravo to the special effects and makeup crew for their chilling realism. There’s no digital bloodshed here; instead, the characters suffer gruesome ends that merit a bit of admiration for their murderous creativity. Viewers will retch and applaud as the deaths grow progressively graphic. Finn doesn’t spare us from the agony, instead, he drives the pain home with intense close-ups. One particularly grueling scene was so shocking it had my companion actually turning away from the screen in horror. Gore aficionados are in for a treat.
Naomi Scott Holds Our Interest in the Overly Long Smile 2
The second installment, “Smile 2”, has some effective jump scares, but it doesn’t quite match the fear factor of the first one. It seems that the film is overly prolonged. Finn’s exploration of Skye’s mental deterioration mirrors his musical approach in a way that is excessively detailed. The movie becomes too complex at times, almost to its detriment. There are two perspectives on the slow-paced introduction. Some might appreciate it as character development. However, every aspect of Skye’s decline is depicted, which could lead to a decrease in fear. The long, dull sections diminish tension. It’s crucial that a horror movie never induces yawning.
Scott excels remarkably well in challenging roles, showing exceptional talent that earns her the title of ‘scream queen’. However, Skye’s personal battles with addiction are made more complex by the manipulations of an enigmatic character. The storyline takes a dramatic turn as Skye breaks down amidst the collapse of her life. Despite this, she is also required to perform songs and dances throughout the film. In simpler terms, Scott’s acting ability on stage is impressive. She convincingly portrays a pop star who could sell out stadiums. This might be why Finn developed an excessive fondness for her during post-production. While the flashy stage performances are visually appealing, they should not overshadow the horror aspect of the film. The audience prefers to be terrified rather than having a dance party in the cinema.
In Smile 2, there’s no fresh insight into the villain’s character, which is quite unfortunate. The movie follows the exact same trajectory as the first one and takes us exactly where we expect it to go. It seems like Finn missed an opportunity to give us more details. We’re still in the dark about its origin and purpose. Overall, Smile 2 is an inconsistent watch. While it delivers on the minimal horror requirements and has good acting, it also includes too much unnecessary content.
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2024-10-16 19:01