So what’s the big deal with Don’t Breathe 2? Why are people looking at this one a bit more skeptically than the original, which proved to be a solid $150M hit in 2016? Well, the issue for some is that they’ve decided Stephen Lang’s killer blind dude from the first film should now be the hero. While he’s still shockingly at ease with murdering folks, this time he’s got a good reason and people who have brought it on themselves.
That said, watching the new red band trailer it’s tough to see the difference. Once again The Blind Man finds his home infiltrated by a bunch of unfortunate lowlifes, who not only beat his ass but kidnap a young girl he has taken in, and of course he’s got to get bloody payback.
I don’t really see the problem. My take away by the end of the first movie was that the trespassers into his home had become the villains. Sure, we find out the Blind Man aka Norman Nordstrom had done some terrible shit, but it also seemed like he was trying to live in peace and quiet until these idiots stirred up old rages. So this transition to focus more on the most popular character in the franchise makes sense to me.
Don’t Breathe 2 opens August 13th. Fede Alvarez returns as a producer and co-writer alongside director Rodo Sayagues.
The sequel is set in the years following the initial deadly home invasion, where Norman Nordstrom (Stephen Lang) lives in quiet solace until his past sins catch up to him.
Pine Grove houses only 80 incarcerated youth and admission is very competitive. Miss P, an officer affiliated with Pine Grove, goes to different facilities recruiting interested parties. She tests them physically and mentally and interviews them individually. Upon acceptance by the review board, eligible youth are transferred to Pine Grove. Fireboys focuses on two of those youth – Alex who is a new recruit, and Chuy who is a seasoned vet that is about to be released. Alex and Chuy are on opposite ends of the spectrum. Alex is the fresh new face who is trying to prove his worth and make a name for himself at Pine Grove. Chuy is first man, the “leader” of the Pine Grove youth. It is a prestigious position that he values and cherishes.
Fireboys is directed by Jake Hochendoner & Drew Dickler. Hochendoner and Dickler have a history of creating documentaries focusing on social just issues. Fireboys is another documentary that fits perfectly within their repertoire. The film not only highlights the recruiting and responsibilities of the youth at Pine Grove but discusses aspects of juvenile incarceration and reentry upon release. Hochendoner and Dickler overlay images of the infernos and youth fighting them with narration of their thoughts and experiences. This is a powerful combination that helps give the audience a sense of not only the danger, but the feelings of youth who pass through Pine Grove.
Fireboys has an interesting premise and is an important story to shed light on. A consistent message portrayed by the youth is the freedom they crave that Pine Grove provides them. Hochendoner and Dickler highlight this contrast with angled shots of blank concrete walls and gray muted colors at other detention centers. Fireboys does drags on at times and there doesn’t seem to be a central purpose. The social justice aspects aren’t fully discussed until the film is winding down. A more thorough examination would’ve served Fireboys well and given it more staying power. The interesting premise does make Fireboys worth a watch, but you may be left craving more discussion about the issues at hand.
