Sicario: Day Of The Soldado
When the world was first introduced to the world of Sicario we were thrown deep into the mire of cartel violence and government black-ops with a film that suffocated the viewer relentlessly with tension. For the second visit into this dark, soul breaking world we’re once again engulfed in a tension filled atmosphere, but unfortunately this time around the film doesn’t feel as fresh or inspired as it did the first time around.
The formulaic approach to Sicario: Day Of The Soldado is clear from the opening scenes, which obviously is attempting to recreate the impactful opening of its predecessor. This time around the opening scenes are centred around Cartel controlled people smuggling across the Mexico/US boarder and a subsequent terrorist bombing at a supermarket in Kansas City, Missouri.
Whilst obviously connected through their main characters, Matt Graver (Josh Brolin) and Alejandro Gillick (Benicio Del Toro), and the Mexican drug cartel theme these films sadly feel like they could have easily been two seperate properties.
The first Sicario film was primarily focused on the nuanced drama and the ultimate impact of violence on everybody involved whereas Sicario: Day Of The Soldado relies on action sequences and impactful moments to build its tension.
By losing the subversive, nuanced political message of its predecessor Sicario: Day Of The Soldado lacks a weighty impact and thus fails to have a lasting impact despite telling a compelling story.
★★★ ½
