‘Fifty Shades Darker’ Movie Review: Darker, indeed.

Feels like just yesterday that we were wafting ourselves over the sexy demonstration of Fifty Shades of Grey. Another E. L. James best-selling novel adaptation has premiered on February 8 globally, the Fifty Shades Darker.

Fifty Shades Darker Christian Grey
Photo from Fifty Shades Darker Page
Following the success of the first installment of Fifty Shades Trilogy, it was expected to be huge and heavy, as described by Jamie Dornan, the male protagonist, in previous interview. And we weren’t disappointed, we’ve seen how the leading characters has moved to advancement and gone bigger in many areas. To recall, the first film was criticized by fans due to lack of chemistry of the main characters. Admittedly, they became closer and came together so much more in this film.

Picking up where we left in Fifty Shades of Grey, Dakota Johnson’s young and inexperienced Anastacia Steele walked away from Jaime Dornan’s billionaire boyfriend Christian Grey, unwillingly to sign-up to his BDSM lifestyle. But their separation didn’t last long and again we’re caught up in their “no rules, no punishment and no more secrets” kind of relationship. Christian changed from sexual sadist to conventional lover. He started to announce Ana as his girlfriend. Likewise, when Ana is reunited with Grey, she communicates more by speaking her mind. Ana became a strong woman and defiant to the control freak Christian Grey.

READ: How Dark The "Fifty Shades Darker" Is?

Their relationship faced new hurdles as Ana gets a job at a local publishing firm. Her new boss, Jack Hyde (Eric Johnson), seemed to be jealous of Christian when Ana keep on refusing his invites. Jack pinned Ana against the wall, told her how controlling and abusive Christian is, loomed over her and shouted on her face. Christian as the boss’s boss fired Jack, giving way to Ana as the new fiction editor. Christian bought the company weeks ago after learning that Ana will be working in the firm.

There are some truly ridiculous sequence of events in the movie - like the predictable and eye-roll-worthy marriage proposal that Ana reluctantly left Christian hanging for a while to say yes since she knew that Christian is “50 shades of f*ck*d up.” A morning scene detailing Christian’s physically impressive workout routine.

Ana met the old Elena Lincoln also called as Mrs. Robinson (Kim Basinger), Christian's business partner, the woman who introduced Christian to kinky lifestyle. Oh, have they argued about her? Ana regarded her as a pedophile, who took advantage on a young, vulnerable Christian at 15. It’s hard to pick sides with Ana so adamantly against her, and Christian so convinced that there are no lingering romantic feelings between them. And Elena’s determination in becoming friends with Ana is equally as confusing to me as it is to Ana.

Elena Lincoln Fifty Shades
Photo from Fifty Shades Darker Official Trailer
Every so often, we saw Leila (Bella Heathcote), an ex-sub of Christian, in the shadow, following Ana. She went completely crazy after her husband died. She broke into Christian’s house as well as Ana’s. For Ana’s safety, Christian asked her to move in with him. When Ana went back to her apartment to get her stuffs, Leila was inside holding a gun. Christian came running to the rescue and send Leila to psychiatric treatment.

After the helicopter incident, Ana brought up to Christian the gift she prepared, it was a simple keychain with a word YES. Following Christian’s birthday celebration, he was more than excited to share the news with all his birthday guests. At his party, Elena decided to be a smart mouth to Ana giving Ana all the reason to throw her alcoholic drink into her face. ‘Twas a rough move girl!

Ana and Christian Fifty Shades Darker
Photo from Fifty Shades Darker Official Trailer
All in all “Fifty Shades Darker,” was a good movie, living up to the expectation from the first. The sequel is better as the characters grow and the audience delve deeper into Christian’s psyche.

Some of the returning casts includes Marcia Gay Harden in fine form as Christian’s mother, Rita Ora and Luke Grimes as his siblings Mia and Elliot. Max Martini is also back as Christian’s bodyguard Taylor.

Thanks to director James Foley for giving the film a great flow. Foley replaced Fifty Shades of Grey director Sam Taylor-Johnson after deciding not to return for the sequel. It was behind reports that Taylor-Johnson had disagreements with author EL James. Foley recently directed 12 episodes of House Of Cards and the great Glengarry Glen Ross.

WATCH: ‘Fifty Shades Darker’ Official trailer


--M, The Summit Express



Previous Post Next Post