A Quiet Place Part II
review by Bobby Blakey
I love a good horror film, but even more so when the creative minds behind it aren’t usually known for that genre. Over the last few years we’ve had Jordan Peele with Get Out & Us and the team of Danny McBride & David Gordon Green with Halloween. In 2018 The Office and Jack Ryan star John Krasinski surprised audiences with his entry into the genre A Quiet Place. With its success it comes as no surprise he is diving back into the story with A Quiet Place Part II starring Emily Blunt, Cillian Murphy, Millicent Simmonds, Noah Jupe, and Djimon Hounsou.
A Quiet Place Part II follows the Abbott family who must now face the terrors of the outside world as they continue their fight for survival in silence after the deadly events at home. Forced to venture into the unknown, they quickly realize that the creatures that hunt by sound are not the only threats that lurk beyond the sand path.
Anytime a film delivers something great, especially when it stands out as original as well it is instantly a challenge to try to live up to its legacy with a sequel. There have been very few films that have managed to do that, but I am so happy to say that this one not only lives up to it but surpasses it. Krasinski has done the impossible and not only made a great follow-up but managed to still expand the universe in a way that is a bigger movie while still keeping the same feel.
The cast are outstanding with Blunt having to lead the family solo for the most part, but it’s the kids played by Noah Jupe and Millicent Simmonds. They get to stand out to grow as characters as well as get an arc that redeems some of their past deeds and gives them that evolution needed to survive this world. Make no mistake thought, Blunt is so good here offering up strength and vulnerability while stepping into the forefront to be a force to reckon with to survive.
My favorite new addition is the always great, but underused Cilliam Murphy. He brings a new element to the story with his own struggles and torment that is not only a great addition to the story to move forward, but reminds you of the world that was and still is out there. This also broadens the universe we are in and opens the doors for more stories to come should they want to while still keeping the Abbott family front and center.
Right out the gate the film kicks off with a flashback to Day 1 you see in the trailer and then right to the ending of the first film to continue where we left off. The story is simple and well executed once again relying on more silence than not which gives it that same eeire tone that the first one offered up. We also get to see the creatures a lot more and sooner this time around, but still kept the mystery about them and never felt over used. I love that they still kept them mostly a mystery as opposed to thinking we needed a backstory. It just doesn’t matter, only the survival and finding a way to live matters and its all it needs.
I loved this sequel and really believe it is better than the original. At the same time they function as one long story so be sure to revisit the first film prior to watching the new one just to enhance the already greatness of this latest entry. It’s ironic that Krasinski has made so much noise with these films that are focused on pure silence, but there is no doubt he has cemented himself as a director that has plenty to say and the talent to back it up.
In addition to the film this release features bonus content including numerous featurettes that take you behind bringing the next chapter of the silent horror to life. Along with the release of part II, they will also be releasing both movies in a new collected edition on the same day on both digital and Blu-ray.
Grab your copy of A Quiet Place Part II on 4K Ultra, Blu-ray and DVD or the 2 movie collection on digital July 13th and Blu-ray on July 27th from Paramount Home Entertainment.
