Quiet Place II Review

Director John Krasinski claimed on Colbert that he wasn't trying to make a horror film. He was making a film about family. This is the reason why both Quiet Places are so resonantly terrifying. We empathize with the struggles of this family so we are scared from the start. Perhaps this is why so many of us are more afraid of empathy than we are of objectivity. Hell, we're tough, man, We can take anything but we can let our masks slip slightly at the movies.

If you appreciate "jump ups" there are four "jump ups" in the film. . Beyond the jump ups, we are in a state of uncomfortable familiarity enhanced by moaning emo soundtrack.There's a lot of barefoot walking in Quiet Place II which reminds us of Blunt's left over wound from Quiet Place I. We're all familiar with walking barefoot. Sometimes it's the most comfortable of all walking experiences. We cast off our shoes and feel freedom. It's a different matter when we have no shoes to cast off and find ourselves with aching, bleeding, vulnerable feet walking over railroad tracks, stones, blistering sidewalks and broken bottles.

Most of us have the choice whether or not to protect our feet so we can only imagine the pain of going the distance with no protection. If we were to step on broken glass, we'd yell or scream. What if it was deadly to scream. How do we register our pain?

We've got someplace to go yet every blistered, wounded step pleads with us to stop. We can't stop. Our family is at stake so we stumble onwardwith threats not only beneath us but all around us as well as from above.

 Quiet Place II begins as a prequel, then a flah forward until 474 days pass since the unexplained appearance of the predators. The movie was supposed to be released in March of 2020. In real life, an unexpected predator interrupted our lives for almost exactly the same amout of time. 

Everything has changed.

Krasinski's character's character becomes a memory before we know what's hit us. This is an unselfish daring, sacrificial directorial move; an exercise in generosity and respect.

Quiet Place II is oxymoronic...a horrifyng love story....a frightfest that will contend for best film Oscar recognition.

Mothers, fathers, husbands, wives and children will relate to Emily Blunt's actions and reactions delivered with restraint as matriarch Evelyn Abbott personifies maternal strength and sacrifice.

But of course Blunt is already a huge star. Millicent Simmons as deaf daughter Regan has the star making opportunity and she delivers unforgettably. We see her bare feet quite a lot.

Handicaps become advantages. Friendships are redeemed. Loss is omni-present even as hope flickers beyond the sea  like memories of Bobby Darin. Everyone in the cast is on point and sharing the load..

We hustled and caught the first screening. Before the main feature began, John Krasinski came on the screen and thanked everybody for returning to the theater and hoping that we will enjoy the movie. The place was packed, if "place" refers to my seat because Lynn and I made up 100% of the audience. It was as if Krasinski's opening message was aimed directly at us.

We were thrilled to receive it and happy to spread the news.

Quiet Place II is all about comebacks. Will America come back to movies? Let's face it, with all the shootings going around our country, it's infinitely safer to stay at home. Plus the cost of soft drinks and popcorrn on the couch can't be beat .

I'm confident that the world will return to the movies and not just for the Marvelous. Should you get out and catch Quiet Place II?  Of course you should. Come back. You're welcome.

And you don't need to have seen the first to enjoy the second.

I'm aiming this message at you.