A Quiet Place II movie review 2021

MOVIE TITLE: A Quiet Place II

The dramatic horror film opens in theaters on May 28, 2021. In the UK, the film won’t be available until June 3^rd. In the USA, A Quiet Place II will also be available on the Paramount+ streaming service, but not until 45 days after its theatrical release.

RATING: PG-13

LENGTH: 1 hour 37 minutes

IN A NUTSHELL:

Wow. This is the very first movie I’ve seen in an actual theater for over a year! A Quiet Place II was one of the first movies to delay its theater release when the pandemic first started. This morning, I was invited to a press screening in a local theater with just 9 other film critics. The movie picks up right where A Quiet Place left off. Following the horrific events at home, the Abbott family now faces the terrors of the outside world. Forced to venture into the unknown, they realize the creatures that hunt by sound are not the only threats lurking beyond the sand path…

This dramatic thriller was written and directed by John Krasinski. He wrote the first film with Scott Beck and Bryan Woods, but this one is very much all Krasinski. I loved his “Some Good News” YouTube videos John Krasinski shared when the pandemic first started. He really does seem like such a nice guy and it’s a delightful reveal that he absolutely knows how to write and direct awesome movies. This is a rare sequel that is as good as A Quiet Place. Another film critic I watched the movie with this morning described his review in these few words, “A great sequel to a movie that didn’t need a sequel.” Everyone is saying this film was definitely worth the wait. This is just the movie that might get people going back to the theaters again.

THINGS I LIKED:

Who doesn’t love John Krasinski and Emily Blunt together? They both look fantastic in this movie. Despite John Krasinski’s character’s demise in the first movie, we get to see him again in a few scenes that feature Day 1 of the alien invasion. He and Emily admitted they had not considered doing a sequel. John explains that he was “Jedi-mind tricked into doing it.”
The talented cast also includes Djimon Hounsou and Cillian Murphy.
Millicent Simmonds, who plays Regan Abbott, is actually deaf in real life. This is her third film, after the original movie and Wonderstruck. She is a very good young actress. Noah Jupe plays her brother and together, they provide the hope the adults so desperately need in the story.
There is so much suspense and tension, with plenty of action that will keep you on the edge of your seat. The movie has all of the jumps and scares you hope it would.
The opening sequence was riveting. One of the things I said in my review of the original movie was that I wished we could have seen what happened on Day 1. Well, here you go!
The aliens are intriguing but the characters are truly the center and heart of the movie. You get to see the aliens up close and personal and often. We also learn why they are so sensitive to sound.
Speaking of sound, the sound effects are impressive.
There are several camera shots that reminded me of the incredible destruction seen in Tom Cruise’s WAR OF THE WORLDS.
John Krasinski really pays attention to details. For example, we see his character grabbing a few items in the local store. As he walks by some shelves, we see that toy rocket ship that was featured in the first movie.
I loved seeing the small-town community in the first scene. A lot of people have a romantic notion of living in such a town where everyone knows and trusts each other. I thought the pandemic had made us realize what’s important in life, but lately, almost everyone I interact with “out there” seems super rude and impatient.
You WILL get goosebumps while watching this!
One of the things I really love about this movie and its original is that a great horror movie doesn’t have to be bloody and gory and disgusting.
It definitely helps if you have seen the first movie, but you can still enjoy the sequel on its own. If you haven’t seen the part 1 of A Quiet Place , what are you waiting for?

THINGS I DIDN’T LIKE:

I can’t think of a single thing. I really enjoyed it.

TIPS FOR PARENTS:

People are constantly in danger. Many die or get hurt.
Scary monsters/aliens
Blood
You see skeletons
Some profanity

THEMES:

Hope
Trust, loyalty
Unity
Fear
Family
Community
Communication

FUNNY LINES:

None. This is a very dramatic, serious movie.

INTERESTING LINES:

“You’re here now. New day.” – Man on the Island (Djimon Hounsou)
“That’s determination.” – Man on Island (Djimon Hounsou) “It’s necessity.” – Emmett (Cillian Murphy)
“I’m nothing like him. You are.” – Emmett (Cillian Murphy) talking to Regan Abbot about her dad