Sicario: Day of the Soldado (2018) Review by: Tristan Bunn
This film is the sequel to Denis Villeneuve's masterfully directed and Taylor Sheridan's wonderful screenplay of the 2015 Sicario. This isn't the type of film you would expect a sequel from, but Taylor Sheridan returned to write and he's probably my favorite writer working today so I was very excited. Villeneuve didn't return to direct and Roger Deakins didn't return as cinematographer so there's just no way this film could be as technically proficient and as gorgeous as its predecessor, but it didn't feel like it lacked anything. Stefano Sollima did a really wonderful job directing this sequel, but the star of the film, once again, is Sheridan's script. Sheridan's dialogue is always sharp, bleak, thought-provoking, and providing unique voices to each character. What's great about this film is the story is expanded much more so than the first. They go a little broader with this film and weave together a couple different characters to create one story. At the center of all this is really just a realistic look at what this war can do to children and innocence lost through this world of gritty, ultra realistic violence. Benicio Del Toro was the most interesting character of the first film and it was wonderful to have him be the center piece to this sequel. He has always been a brilliant actor and this is a role built for him and he owns the screen. Josh Brolin is, as he has been all summer, magnificent. I love the relationship these two characters have with each other. There aren't a lot of words spoken, but because of the amazing writing, you feel their trust with one another and the depths of their past. Their relationship is one of the most interesting assets of these films. I would also be remiss to not tip my hat to the absolutely stunning child performance of Isabela Moner. She is a terrific actor and a magnetic presence through this film. However, it’s not perfect. The film cuts back to this young man and that can hurt the pacing until you understand why it's there and then you realize it's wonderful. His arc does end up weaving into the narrative, but until you see what Sheridan does with him, it can feel like it loses its momentum. The film also makes a bold choice and backs down from it that I thought didn't need to even be there. I wanted it to either go for it or not even include that aspect into the narrative. That's all I can even note as “flaws” though.
I love Taylor Sheridan and I love this cast. Sollima did a great job coming on as director and his vision was fully realized on the screen. If you liked the first film, I think you’ll like this one.
Grade: A-
