Crimson Rivers II: Angels of the Apocalypse (2004)

Best movie of this year hands down!

Excellent but underrated film

Although it has its amusing moments, in eneral the plot does not convince.

It's complicated... I really like the directing, acting and writing but, there are issues with the way it's shot that I just can't deny. As much as I love the storytelling and the fantastic performance but, there are also certain scenes that didn't need to exist.

I have a thing for Jean Reno. Ever since I saw him in Godzilla, I have been searching for his films. This is the completion of Crimson Rivers, and it is great.No, it won't win any awards, but it's enough to see Reno as Commissionar Niemans again, strongly supported by Benoît Magimel (The Piano Player, The Child of the Night), Camille Natta, and the ever evil Christopher Lee (Wicker Man, Lord of the Rings).Lots of blood and a weird story based on end times and a book supposed written in God's hand. Heads roll, people are nailed, and monks fly through the sir. Fantasy? Oui. Reno est magnifique. C'est tout ce des sujets à moi.

This sequel is just disappointing. It starts with the great Vincent "Dobermann" Cassel not being in the second part anymore, but he wouldn't save that stupid story anyway. There are many interesting ideas, but when it comes to tie them all together, the end is mostly stolen from "Raiders of the Lost Arch". But there's even more fun in that flick: Nazi monks on 60 year old steroids, which make them invulnerable to bullets... Gimme a break! I wonder if Besson will ever learn that world war 2 is over (remember those evil German villains in "Taxi"?). Part 1 was far better, the story, and especially the appearance of Vincent Cassel. I really wonder how Besson/Reno can make masterpieces like "Leon" on the one hand, and junk like that movie on the other hand.

The original novel was awesome,and so was Mathieu Kassovitz's movie adaptation,starring Jean Reno and Vincent Cassel.Pity the same can't be said for this disappointing,insipid,useless sequel.Reno returns as Pierre Niemans,having to investigate on a couple of murders perpetrated by superhuman monks.Yes,the concept IS that bad,and yes,the writer IS Luc Besson,who probably should retire considering his most recent works.Instead of Vincent Cassel and Nadia Fares,we get Benoit Magimel and Camille Natta,whose on screen presence is as interesting as that of an insect.The main title sequence and the opening murders are visually great,but the rest of the film sucks.Reno and Magimel try to compensate the whole thing with some bad jokes,but when even Christopher Lee's portrayal of the Nazi villain seems to be saying "This time they should have typecast someone else",you realize something has gone incredibly wrong.One of the worst follow-ups ever,and let's hope the third chapter stays in development hell forever.

Wish the movie was more fleshed out. Loved a lot of the cinematography in this movie. Was a rare treat for that. The story is unique in most parts of the film. But the loose ends aren't tied up. The first movie was a smart movie. Very rare indeed. This one has taken on a more supernatural movie. The belief system has completely failed here. But as far as movies go, it's better than a lot of crap out there. Didn't like the score as much as the original. But the suspense is still in the sequel. Perhaps more so. The creators here though continue to go to great locations. I ought to find a ticket and read some books over there. :)One thing I found interesting, a lot of the movie played like a video game. Not sure why. Although the French website for this movie has a section that looks like it's promoting a Myst like game. 6/10Quality: 6/10 Entertainment: 9/10 Replayable: 7/10