Photo via IMDb
By Keith Walther | Rose Law Group Reporter
Familiar characters, familiar condescending sarcasm, and familiar storylines make for a very similar, yet comforting, viewing experience. “The Devil Wears Prada 2” is the sequel to the 2006 smashing success and is sure to delight fans of the original. The overarching story is fairly basic, but it is quite busy, sometimes resembling an ugly Christmas sweater off the clearance rack than an opulent dress from a premiere designer.
For the past 20 years, Andy Sachs (Anne Hathaway), aka Emily, aka “6”, has been an award-winning journalist. With publications folding faster than a basket of laundry, Andy finds herself back at Runway working for Miranda Priestly (Meryl Streep), aka The Dragon Lady. They, along with the always reliable Nigel (Stanley Tucci) must face off against Miranda’s former assistant turned rival, Emily (Emily Blunt). Careers are at stake as they look to navigate and survive the online/AI onslaught against traditional magazine publishing while preparing for an important fashion show in Milan, Italy.
David Frankel, who directed the original film, returns to helm this sequel, and he unsurprisingly captures that same essence and tone that made the first film so popular. He brings back the egotistical and cutthroat world of high fashion while updating it to reflect current times. Frankel rewards fans with nostalgic references to the 2006 movie, sometimes very subtle like the blue fashion belts, while still progressing it forward by showing how social media and artificial intelligence are impacting the industry. This commitment and attention to detail shows that this sequel is more than just another fan-service cash grab. There’s even an increased emotional attachment he creates with the characters that viewers will appreciate, making it worthwhile to revisit these fashionistas.
Taking this production down a rung is the attempt at humor that falls flatter, failing to produce those iconic moments that made audiences fall in love with the original film. In addition, Frankel employs a dizzying number of subplots that gain little to no traction. From journalist characters that are completely forgotten about to a weird potential biography novel subplot to hasty romantic connections, viewers are continually distracted from the main plot by these extraneous elements that don’t really matter. As the movie jumps awkwardly from one subplot to the other, it is easy for audiences to feel overwhelmed, especially when Frankel decides to turn the conclusion into a sort of espionage thriller. Still, the costumes are exquisite and the music is lively, complete with a return of Madonna’s “Vogue,” which was featured in the first film.
Most of the original cast returns to reprise their roles, except for Adrian Grenier (he doesn’t act much anymore), and they superbly show the growth in their respective characters. Meryl Streep authentically shows the wear and tear of being in that type of position for multiple decades. Her ice queen demeanor has faded a bit, revealing a more vulnerable, softer side that some fans may dislike that she’s become a tamer, more watered-down version of her iconic character who’s lost her edge. She demonstrates this inner turmoil, wrestling with the conundrum of whether or not it’s worth it to continue fighting. She still slips in those biting remarks, providing funny moments especially as she tries to be more HR appropriate with her insults.
For actresses Anne Hathaway and Emily Blunt, the past 20 years have seen meteoric rises in both their careers. Hathaway shows more growth in her character, exuding a confidence she didn’t have previously, while still displaying snippets of naivete for which her character was known. Meanwhile, Blunt brings a ferocity to her character’s dominant ambition, supplying those deadpan insults her character is known for, while still offering a hint of tenderness behind her eyes that make her a more relatable antagonist. These two are phenomenal talents still at the height of their powers, and both still have an exciting year ahead.
It is highly recommended that you watch or revisit the 2006 film before committing to this sequel. You will find “The Devil Wears Prada 2” is more rewarding the more familiar you are with its predecessor. Just don’t expect it to surpass the original, or even match it for that matter, for it is a noticeable step below as is the case with most sequels.
This movie earns:
