By Chip Schrader
Movie Review Editor
“Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps” opens with a stack of files and papers slammed onto a desk and voice naming the contents that is being laid down. A money clip with no money, and an old cell phone the size of a shoe are among the items that Gordon Gekko is given back upon his release from prison. This sets the tone for the follow up story of a man who was free and very wealthy during a whole different era booming from Reaganomics, and now yesterday’s news.
In this sequel to Wall Street, Oliver Stone draws inspiration from the market crash, credit swaps and defaults that have plagued our economy for the last few years, and it is perfect fodder for Gordon Gekko (Michael Douglas) who just got out of prison for the same reason this crash occurred. The central character is greed, and Oliver Stone delivers a devastating upper cut to our banking industry that is all too true and fully exposed in this film.
Michael Douglas’ portrayal of Gekko is nothing short of Genius. To witness Gekko’s evolution alone, this film is worth watching in spite of the fact Douglas plays second billing to Shia LeBeouf as Jake Moore. While LeBeouf’s acting talent is budding, it is hard to take a movie where seasoned heavyweights like Douglas and Josh Brolin play beneath LeBeouf. Brolin and Douglas have a menacing edge to their characters, they are weathered and gritty while LeBeouf at times, seems like Hello Kitty in a Lions’ Den.
While Jake is a sympathetic and idealistic character, he is too child like on the outside to make him a believable Wall Street up and comer. His soft side, which is vital to his character, is still too pronounced. At times, LeBeouf look frightened and weak when he is face to face with Josh Brolin in the film’s key moments.
The biggest flaw is in the writing, Jake Moore is not an interesting enough character to carry the film for the first hour. He would be better named John Doe as he doesn’t stand out or really grow as the story progresses. There are several scenes with Jake trading on the market floor that are dazzling visually, but blur the storyline. Furthermore, while the dialog is amazing and clever, there is no momentum to the story. The viewer enjoys the ride even though it is merely a leisurely stroll through Central Park.
On the other hand, those interested in Gekko will find the last third of the film satisfying as Douglas takes over more of the scenes, and the rare appearances of Susan Sarandon playing as Jake’s mother, is arguably the best performance in the film.
The bottom line, Oliver Stone shot this film understanding the beauty of New York as a back drop, and the camera angles and movement were breath taking. The acting is brilliant, and very quotable, the best was Gekko telling Bretton James (Brolin) “Stop telling lies about me, and I’ll stop telling the truth about you.” The bad side, the writers needed to keep the camera and action around Gekko instead of scenes like that of a motor cycle race between Bretton and Jake that randomly finds its way into the film.
Even with the flaws, the film is gorgeous to watch as each scene is staged with lavish background scenery, and the intrigue is infectious in spite of the lack of suspense or urgency to drive the story. The acting and directing is top notch, the writing is flabby, but “Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps” still nudges into the “must see” category, transcending most sequels. 3.5 out of 5.
Photo caption: Movie Poster for “Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps” (Courtesy photo)
Movie Review Editor
“Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps” opens with a stack of files and papers slammed onto a desk and voice naming the contents that is being laid down. A money clip with no money, and an old cell phone the size of a shoe are among the items that Gordon Gekko is given back upon his release from prison. This sets the tone for the follow up story of a man who was free and very wealthy during a whole different era booming from Reaganomics, and now yesterday’s news.
In this sequel to Wall Street, Oliver Stone draws inspiration from the market crash, credit swaps and defaults that have plagued our economy for the last few years, and it is perfect fodder for Gordon Gekko (Michael Douglas) who just got out of prison for the same reason this crash occurred. The central character is greed, and Oliver Stone delivers a devastating upper cut to our banking industry that is all too true and fully exposed in this film.
Michael Douglas’ portrayal of Gekko is nothing short of Genius. To witness Gekko’s evolution alone, this film is worth watching in spite of the fact Douglas plays second billing to Shia LeBeouf as Jake Moore. While LeBeouf’s acting talent is budding, it is hard to take a movie where seasoned heavyweights like Douglas and Josh Brolin play beneath LeBeouf. Brolin and Douglas have a menacing edge to their characters, they are weathered and gritty while LeBeouf at times, seems like Hello Kitty in a Lions’ Den.
While Jake is a sympathetic and idealistic character, he is too child like on the outside to make him a believable Wall Street up and comer. His soft side, which is vital to his character, is still too pronounced. At times, LeBeouf look frightened and weak when he is face to face with Josh Brolin in the film’s key moments.
The biggest flaw is in the writing, Jake Moore is not an interesting enough character to carry the film for the first hour. He would be better named John Doe as he doesn’t stand out or really grow as the story progresses. There are several scenes with Jake trading on the market floor that are dazzling visually, but blur the storyline. Furthermore, while the dialog is amazing and clever, there is no momentum to the story. The viewer enjoys the ride even though it is merely a leisurely stroll through Central Park.
On the other hand, those interested in Gekko will find the last third of the film satisfying as Douglas takes over more of the scenes, and the rare appearances of Susan Sarandon playing as Jake’s mother, is arguably the best performance in the film.
The bottom line, Oliver Stone shot this film understanding the beauty of New York as a back drop, and the camera angles and movement were breath taking. The acting is brilliant, and very quotable, the best was Gekko telling Bretton James (Brolin) “Stop telling lies about me, and I’ll stop telling the truth about you.” The bad side, the writers needed to keep the camera and action around Gekko instead of scenes like that of a motor cycle race between Bretton and Jake that randomly finds its way into the film.
Even with the flaws, the film is gorgeous to watch as each scene is staged with lavish background scenery, and the intrigue is infectious in spite of the lack of suspense or urgency to drive the story. The acting and directing is top notch, the writing is flabby, but “Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps” still nudges into the “must see” category, transcending most sequels. 3.5 out of 5.
Photo caption: Movie Poster for “Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps” (Courtesy photo)
