A Quiet Place Part II

UK Release Date: 03 June 2021

Certification: 15

Director: John Krasinki

Cast: Emily Blunt, Djimon Hounsou, Noah Jupe, John Krasinki, Cillian Murphy, Millicent Simmonds 

Rating: 87%

Silence is not enough

Review:

Cinemas are back and it was a brilliant event finally being able to experience my first movie for a year and a half in a cinema due to the pandemic. And to top it all off A Quiet Place Part II is an extraordinary horror sequel that deserves to be seen on the big screen. 

I know and love John Krasinki from The Office and I think his performance in A Quiet Place was breathtaking and whilst he directed superbly in that movie this is his chance to display his talent as a director. The cinematography is beautiful, every single shot is picture perfect and utterly stunning to look at. From an outsiders point of view it seems absolutely effortless to John Krasinki to create an incredible sense of tension and suspense that left me on the edge of my seat throughout the full runtime. He's also able to create riveting character arcs that make me love this story as it's much more than a cheap simple 'horror flick'. 

On paper the cast is great but they're even better throughout the runtime of the movie none more so in my opinion than newcomer Cillian Murphy who's exceptional. I believe that he's one of the most talented actors of this generation who's so diverse in his roles. In A Quiet Place Part II however, he plays a character (Emmett) who as John Krasinki said in a recent interview is "Perfect for this world." His arc is both interesting and intriguing and one of the only minor complaints I have about this movie is that I would've wanted to see Emmett explored even more. Emily Blunt is again terrific and emotionally connective as a character who is very family orientated, cares for her children but can also look after and defend who she loves. Noah Jupe is amazing once more who's already been involved in some excellent movie's and an actor who I'm personally very excited to see where his career goes moving forward. The real main protagonist is another up and coming talent, Millicent Simmonds. I thought she was brilliant in A Quiet Place but her performance in this sequel is exceptional, John Krasinki really lets her off the reins and just provides her with an opportunity to shine. I absolutely love whenever it switches to her perspective becoming silent really letting the tension set in.  

The score from Marco Beltrami is also fantastic. Most scores in horror movies are there to heighten tension and suspense by letting you know something scary is about to come and whilst that is done at certain points, the score's more of an emotional piece that indicates the viewer on the character's emotions. I loved that notes from 'A Quiet Life' were brought back as that was personally my favourite piece of music from the first outing. However, I believe that both Krasinksi and Beltrami are able to make the score pop due to the fact it's used very subtely - letting the actor's mainly create the edge of your seat feeling by themselves - making the score standout and be that little bit more powerful when it's used.  

As previously mentioned I loved every second of A Quiet Place Part II but the opening scene depicting day one of the attacks is phenomenal. The panic and hysteria produced by the unknown disaster is surreal and almost indescribable.

There were maybe a few unnecessary jump scares although some did have the desired effect but apart from that the movie was a perfect sequel. It's always risky to waste a good thing but I think I would like to see just one more story with these characters whether that be a part III or a movie exploring Emmett's backstory.