A Quiet Place II

Went to see this yesterday (Friday).

It was good!

Of course, it didn’t have the fresh, surprising aspect of the first film, but then it is a sequel.

(First film discussed here, from 2018)

Of course I’m not going to do a plot rundown because I’m assuming many of you will be heading out to see it – not that there are huge surprises, but still. Why would I do that?

Here’s what I will say, though.

First of all, on a very practical level, it’s short – barely over 90 minutes long, which in an era of films made of 2.5 hours of CGI mayhem, is refreshing. And just long enough.

Secondly, in an era (again) of movies featuring 90-pound women who can seemingly take down multitudes because Girl Power, here we have real Girl Power in the form of Regan, the perfectly normal teen daughter who through her intelligence, perception and courage just might save the world!

A bit more on that. Regan’s actions are worth thinking about – and, if you see this film with teens – discussing. How does Regan accomplish what she does?

Through her innate intelligence, by the technical information she absorbed at her father’s side, by her courage which is partly innate (in all of us) and partly learned from how she’s witnessed her parents persevere, through her compassion and willingness to suffer and sacrifice, which she also learned from her parents, her own suffering, and finally – through what, in objective terms, would be described as a flaw – her deafness.

Everything about me can be utilized for the good, it seems, even what the world tells me is a limitation.

The film also leaves us with the suggestion of an answer to the question – where is hope?

Hope is with the young – if we’ve loved them, taught them, sacrificed for them and lived lives of resourcefulness, courage and hope ourselves – we can trust them to carry on and fight those monsters, whatever form they take. We really can.

So yes, a good return to the movies if you haven’t ventured out yet. Many screechingly loud previews with swooping shots of tumbling cars and exploding buildings, so be forewarned on that score.