The Boondock Saints 2: All Saints Day
Year: 2009
Director: Troy Duffy
Studio: Apparition Releasing / Sony Pictures
Stars: Sean Patrick Flanery, Norman Reddus, Billy Connolly
MPAA Rating: R
Running Time: 117 Mins
Film Synopsis:
I remember about three or four years ago, when I saw the special edition “The Boondock Saints” on store shelves and was wondering to myself, why a film that I never heard of is receiving a special edition treatment. So, I decided to rent the film and was completely blown away with the action and story of the film. Now fast forward to “The Boondock Saints 2: All Saints Day”.
It’ been ten years since the Troy Duffy’s original film came out on DVD. The film continues the saga of the MacManus brothers. Both of them have been in hiding with their father after the events of the first film. But they are called back to the streets of Boston, when the mob takes out a beloved priest using their calling card. Soon, they begin a crusade to bring the mob down and find out who wants them dead. Sean Patrick Flanery, Norman Reddus, and Billy Connolly are back for the sequel along with Cliffton Collins Jr. (Star Trek, Sunshine Cleaning), Julie Benz (TV’s Dexter, Saw V), Judd Nelson (The Breakfast Club), and Peter Fonda (Easy Rider, The Limey) .
Film Review:
Even though it’s been ten years since Troy Duffy directed a film, he still hasn’t lost his touch to create a kick ass action film. “The Boondock Saints II: All Saints Day” improves on the original and then some. Duffy does a good job making a sequel that contains the elements that made the original so enjoyable, while adding new things to the mythology. He does a great job making the action scenes entertaining and full of adrenaline and intensity. Not a lot of action films can do that, because most action directors think that explosion sequences bring intensity to the scene. Wrong, it’s the fight sequences along with the way that those scenes are edited is what makes it intense. What also makes the direction good, the way that Duffy handles everything from the flashbacks to the acting of the film. I liked how he uses multiple elements very well, as this film had everything, flashback sequence, dream sequence, action sequence and there ever homage to these action grindhouse films with one of the dream sequences, as it looked like it was from those action films from that era. By doing these things, it grabs your attention and makes you want to sit through the film at least with being bored.
Duffy’s screenplay for this sequel is also on par with the original. He does a great job keeping the regular elements that he uses for his main characters, while blending new characters and twists. By doing that, it makes the series fun to watch and leaves you wanting more. Another thing that makes this screenplay good, the fact that he doesn’t abandon the first film and adds new elements and twists. It keeps the series from becoming one of those sequels where everything is rehashed to the point that your basically watching the same film all over again. Another thing that I thought was good was that there was backstory to the ll Duce character, as his appearance felt like he just walked in near the end of the first film. Duffy does a good job developing a backstory to story to the character and incorporating that into the main plot of the film. It gives it more of mythology feel instead of you just sitting and wondering how the character fits into the boys lives.
Extras Review:
First on the Blu- ray is two commentary tracks. The first tack features commentary from Writer/ Director Troy Duffy and stars Sean Patrick Flanery, Norman Reddus, and Billy Connolly. This track is one of those tracks, where it seems like everyone there was having a good time. They talk about the various stories on the set along with reminiscing there time on both films and events that happened at the film's premiere. I wished it had more of a serious tone, but still it’s a good track for all Saints fans.
The next commentary is Troy Duffy and a mystery person, which I won't reveal. This is the better track of the two. For the first hour or so, Duffy goes into detail about how the actors fitted the character that they played, the plot points, budget concerns and twists in the mythology of the franchise then the mystery person comes in half way through the film. From there the two begin to talk about the franchise and the two films. It’s much better track than the first one.
Next on the disc is, Unprecedented Access: Behind the Scenes. This is a twenty-minute behind the scenes look at the film. It goes into the behind the scenes footage of the film along with cast and crew interviews. It also gives you more information on some of the scenes and some of the preparation that you would normally not seen on other dvds.
Billy Connolly and Troy Duffy: Unedited" is the next featurette. It's a nine-minute featurette that the two talk about the first meeting they had on the original film and some moments they had on the set of this film.
Now on to the Blu-Ray Exclusives. The first exclusive is "The Cast Confesses: Secrets from the Set". The seven-minute featurette goes into some of cast’s thoughts on the film and the characters that they played in the film.
"Inside the Vault: The Weapons" is the next featurette. This eight-minute featurette goes into the various weapons that are used in the film. a Gun's goes into detail of all the weapons the used in the film.
After that, there is a fifty-five minute featurette called "Comic Con Experience". This one the best feature on the disc. Joining Duffy, Flanery, Reddus, Connolly on this panel are Clifton Collins Jr and Julie Benz, who also star in the film. This is a very fun featurette, as they talk about the film, the franchise and interesting stories they had while filming this film. This panel also has a couple of special guests, whom I won't reveal, but it's a treat for all Boondock Saints fans.
The disc wraps up with two deleted scenes, Trailers for other Sony releases and Movie IQ.
Final Thoughts:
Overall, this is a very loaded disc and much better then the first film in features. Even though I prefer the original to this, “The Boondock Saints 2: All Saints Day” is a very action packed sequel that doesn’t abandon the original film, in terms of intensity and drawn out action. This is a must for Saints fans. Let’s hope we don’t have to wait another ten years for a third film.
Film Review: Four Stars
DVD Extras: Four Stars
