A Superior Sequel
Summary
The Accountant 2 is superior to the original while also expanding on the story and characters; it helps to have watched the first movie recently otherwise you’ll forget some of the characters who return. The script is at times hilarious while still having some heartfelt moments and Ben Affleck and Jon Bernthal are the best buddy duo in years. There is more action this time around with a finale making it worth the price of entry alone.
Plot: Christian Wolff applies his brilliant mind and illegal methods to reconstruct the unsolved puzzle of a Treasury chief’s murder.
Review: I’m glad I watched the original Accountant the other day as I hadn’t seen it since it came out nearly a decade ago; this belated sequel has returning characters that I would have completely forgotten about if I hadn’t revisited it, so if you haven’t seen the first movie recently, I’d give it a rewatch before seeing this.
I’d been wondering why this sequel was announced after so long as really… why bother? I have to say though, I’m glad they did as this surpasses the first film in every way. The Accountant 2 has a sharper script, better pacing and Jon Bernthal and Ben Affleck are arguably the best buddy pairing since Riggs and Murtaugh.
I was expecting a more generic movie than it is and sure, there are familiar aspects to the story but the character of Christian Wolff is becoming one of my favourite modern day action movie protagonists. I remember saying this when I saw the first film that I love the idea that someone with a disability is almost more of a superhero, and it totally works.
The relationship between the siblings Braxton (Bernthal) and Wolff (Affleck) is where we get the humour (and heart) with Braxton just wanting a normal relationship with his brother, but due to Chris’s condition he struggles to keep in touch. This causes various scenes of brotherly banter with some surprisingly hilarious moments.
I can’t remember the last time I had so much fun at a movie theatre, and I can’t wait for the already greenlit third movie. I’d watch these guys just doing a roadtrip and enjoying seeing them chat while Braxton tries to understand his brother.
There is of course plenty of action; I found the first movie took a while to get going but this starts off with a bang rarely goes too long without a fight or shoot-out. The final half hour is when the action gets crazy with Bernthal channeling his inner Frank Castle while he and his brother take out the trash.
There is the odd, mild pacing issue but maybe this just caught me in a rare, good mood. I even enjoyed the character moments and wasn’t wishing they’d hurry up and get to the action.
You could also argue the plot does get a little convoluted at times, but it must be, so we get to see Chris do his thing.
Overall, despite some minor nitpicks The Accountant 2 is arguably the best action film of the year (until Havoc tomorrow, I hope) with some great action scenes, a better story and script than the first entry and it’s just a damn good time at the movies. Bring on Part 3.