Rated R for bloody violence language and nudity.
Directed by Troy Duffy (Boondock Saints)
Starring Sean Patrick Flanery, Morman Reedus and Billy Connolly
Todd’s Word: One of the biggest disappointments of the year.
Jonathan’s Word: That would imply that we actually had positive expectations of the film. So allow me to reiterate: the film was as bad as I predicted.
Give us the rundown, Todd. But be quick about it. I don’t want to waste any more of my life on this film.
Todd’s Word: For the last 8 years the brothers have been living with their father on a sheep farm deep in isolated Ireland. One day their uncle tells them that they have been framed for the murder of a Bostonian Catholic priest. The boys must return to Boston to not only clear their names but find the men who framed them.
In the behind-the-scenes feature, director Troy Duffy said this film was for all the Boondock Saints fans. If that’s the case Troy, you owe me eight bucks and an apology.
Jonathan’s Word: You only owe me $3 Troy. I rented it.
Todd’s Word: As I was watching the movie, I couldn’t shake the feeling that this was more about “getting the band back together” than it was about making a great film. The behind-the-scenes feature proved that hunch to be true. Some of the “band members” were so bad they had no business being in a feature film…honestly some don’t have any business being on stage at your local high school.
Jonathan’s Word: I couldn’t have said it better. If you didn’t catch the first film, this film was a waste. Actually… if you did catch the first film, this film still was a waste.
Todd’s Word: Not only did Troy sacrifice quality for some of his friends, but he definitely lost a few steps since the first Saints film. The edits were bad, the cuts were bad, the angles were bad and the flashback (which made the first one so good) yeah they were bad too.
Jonathan’s Word: I wouldn’t say that. I think the film makers were actually creative behind the camera and in the editing room. But that doesn’t make even a mediocre film. The film was so void of foundational elements like plot, and redeemable characters. The first film, although incredibly irresponsibly, at least had that.
Todd’s Word: The first film was jammed packed with memorable lines, incredible gunfights, intense action and even a few laughs. Saints II had none of that. Instead it was forgettable, predictable and pretty cheesy. I loved Boondock Saints and I’m disappointed and pretty angry that Saints II was so bad…it’s a Coaster.
Jonathan’s Word: Wow. You just admitted that you loved Boondock Saints. I’m never gonna let you live that one down.
Yes, given, Boondock Saints was pretty creative. And the film makers could probably try to justify the violence by arguing that the lead characters were fighting (massacring) against the forces of evil. But it was so irresponsible and foul, with imitatable violence that it would be hard for me to ever recommend.
Its sequel just fails epically.
SHOULD KIDS SEE IT?
If you love them…you won’t let them.
Side Note:
As said above, we don’t recommend your kids see this film. But on the occasion that they actually have already seen it, you may want to dialogue about the film with them. These questions below may be a help to you.
Conversation Starter
Three Simple Questions (with Answers You May Be Looking for):
- What are some of the messages or themes you observed in this movie?
- How do you suppose we—as serious Christ-followers—should react to this movie?
- How can we move from healthy, Bible-based opinions about this movie to actually living out those opinions?
