Directed By: Jay Baruchel
Written By: Jay Baruchel & Jesse Chabot
Based On Characters Created By: Jay Baruchel & Evan Goldberg
Based On The Book “Goon” By: Douglas Smith & Adam Frattasio
Cinematography By: Paul Sarossy
Editor: Jason Eisener
Cast: Seann William Scott, Wyatt Russell, Alison Pill, Kim Coates, Callum Keith Rennie, Marc-Andre Grondin, Liev Schrieber, Elisha Cuthbert, Jay Baruchel, Jason Jones, T.J. Miller
It's a new day for the Halifax Highlanders. A pro lockout has reunited old teammates and brought a crew of new players to the bench; notably missing from the line-up, however, is everyone's favourite enforcer and heart of the team, Doug "The Thug" Glatt. Sidelined after one too many hits and now married with a baby on the way, Doug is hanging up his skates and settling into life as an insurance salesman. But when Doug's nemesis, Anders Cain, is made captain of the Highlanders and new ownership threatens to tear his team apart, Doug is compelled back into action. Ignoring the wishes of wife Eva, Doug heads to the rink, discovering an unlikely training partner in fellow retired enforcer and one-time arch rival, Ross "The Boss" Rhea. Together with grit, passion and unrivaled loyalty, they will grind out one last chance to do what they do best...protect their team
This sequel to the cult comedy THE GOON. Suffers like most sequels do as not being as good and watering down the material.
As here the film’s characters are still the same even after having shown so much growth towards the end of the film and the one character you wanted to stay the same has a dramatic about face for obvious reasons. So instead they give her an alcoholic best friend to fill in that gap.
The humor is there but not as funny and the film has more of a sadness then before.
The actors play their characters more as caricatures the. Real humans at least that is what the first film had character. Here it seems like they are just going through the motions. No real heart. Even when Doug’s best friend played by writer-director of this film Jay Baruchel (Making his feature film directing debut) shows up In Limited capacity. He seems the same way.
It might also feel a little lost as the original screenwriter didn’t come back. So that even he didn’t know where to go with the characters and story and with a new co-screenwriter even with fresh eyes there is only so far the film can go --You get the theme the film is about growing up. As this film is more heartwarming towards the end. Where it actually makes you feel something about the film and the characters. Which ends up being the film’s saving grace.
As the performances that stand out are actually in more of a support big category with Elisha Cuthbert, Liev Schrieber who gives his character a great weight that is felt and makes him come off as more heroic and Wyatt Russell as the villain of the piece a mad man who you can partly understand why he is that way but his alpha male anger is scary yet you can see the vulnerability he never wants to expose. Callum Keith Rennie as his father is equally scary and oily. Kim Coates as the coach makes his presence felt as he shows he is an old pro but also gets some scenes to let loose.
T.J. Miller and Jason Jones show up for more extended cameos. Though seem more there to do favors for the director or maybe were fans of the first film. Either way they both enliven things when they are on screen.
Wyatt Russell is the villain but the film pretty much explains his psychology more as an adult child acting out for attention. He is good at something he hates and only does it for his father’s attention and then it never seems good enough. So he tries to tow the company line but also sabotage all around him. Through stunts and alpha male behavior. Though this is the most affecting major role I have seen him in besides EVERYBODY WANTS SOME.
There is a minor side plot about a lockout that seems to be there for no real reason. As it never comes up again and makes no sense. After all is said and done.
Watching this film and seeing how either little has changed or how the mood is different and while surrounded by your friends something has changed in the chemistry. Just has the haunting reminder of how you can have history and still be close to someone, but can’t go back to the good old days. It will never be the same people and circumstances change. It’s sad but you have to remember the good times and keep moving with or without.
For a film about camaraderie there still seems to feel that there is less of it in this film. Focusing mainly on the main stars of the team. Rather than the supporting peanut gallery. Which makes it seem not as off the wall and eclectic.
Though the film Tries to be fun. It is a constant reminder the film has less fuel going into it for a full continuation
Grade:C+
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