K.T Simpson
It’s the sequel John Krasinski swears he hadn’t planned, until well after “A Quiet Place” had dominated the box office in 2018 – if true, “A Quiet Place Part II” makes for one hell of an afterthought.
A riveting opening sequence- arguably best moment in the film – chronicles how the lead-up to the creature invasion of the first film. It’s here that we see a lighter side of patriarch Lee Abbott (Krasinski) , wife Evelyn (Emily Blunt), deaf daughter Regan (Millicent Simmonds), and son Marcus (Noah Jupe), before they were forced to fend themselves against sound-chasing fiends.
The film then catches up with present day Evelyn, and the kids, as they embark on a mission to find a new home. En route, they’re begrudgingly rescued by neighbor Emmett (Cillian Murphy), a forlorn lone gun (his family didn’t make it), and shack up in his makeshift quarters.
While some of the surprises, and the novelty of watching a film without much of an audio track, might’ve worn off, “A Quiet Place Part II” is an extremely well-written, and superbly performed, middle chapter. Anchored with a powerful lead turn by young actress Millicent ‘Millie’ Davis, as determined daughter Regan (here embarking on a plight to find safe land), director Krasinski pushes commanding, convincing performances from a quartet of gifted thesps. While Blunt and franchise newcomer Cillian Murphy are expectantly solid, the follow-up is a real showcase for the youngsters, with Davis and Noah Jupe turning in award-worthy performances.
If it weren’t for the fact that Krasinski clearly has another sequel in mind this time around, he likely could’ve added another half-hour to the film, bringing more closure and more punch to it’s abrupt finale. Still, there’s an hour-and-a-half of excellent storytelling here not to be dismissed by a squat runtime.
