The original Wall Street not only gave Michael Douglas an Academy Award, but also garnered a cult following. I’m not sure why, because I’ve never seen the film. It was supposed to be a hard hitting film that attacked the money obsessed world of New York stock-exchange, but in reality the films star character Gordon Gekko became a hero to many.
It seems like Oliver Stone missed the mark with the film, even if it was a success.
A few years have gone by now and Stone really hasn’t been making much of himself, so it only makes sense for him to return to one of his better known films, and continue the story, especially in the current financial situation. It would be the prefect time to get his message right.
So the film opens with a long scene of a man being released from prison, but it’s shot in was as to not let you see who the person is. It’s as if Stone really believes he can create some high tension suspense, when every man and hiss dog already knows that its Gordon Gekko. Then, once this lengthy scene is complete, we get the ’8 years later’ treatment, negating the need to such a introductory shot. The fact that Gekko got released from prison at some stage would have been a given and if necessary, could have been weaved a lot more convincingly into the plot rather than being given it’s own scene.
But there we have it – I guess Stone just wanted us to get excited about the return of Gekko.
And return he dose, but he’s a reformed man, and only wants to talk about the perils of our money obsessed society, and to get back into the good books with his estranged daughter.
Or so it seems.
The trouble with this sequel is that it just so damn schizophrenic. On the one hand it tries to educate us in the errors of our ways and seemingly wants to make sure we don’t make the same mistakes again, but then Stone throws everything around and shows us that money is the only way to true happiness.
Confused? You will be. And a little bored as well.
Of course the boredom may come from not having anyone to relate to in the film. Gekko himself holds not one ounce of charisma that could make even his mother love him – though if you’re a fan of the original, this may be different – and young upstart Jacob Moore (played by Shia LaBeouf) who coincidentally is dating Gekko’s daughter is just as unappealing.
The story itself is predictable and un-original and only goes to cement the fact that Stone’s best days are a distant memory.
If you really want to be educated – and entertained – about the woeful nature of the corrupt and rotting corpse that is the so called American dream, watch Capitalism: A Love Story instead. FILMGUIDE rating: Reviewed by: Jonathan
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