Review of Sicario: Day of the Soldado (2018) by Andrewburge — 11 Oct 2018

'Sicario: Day of the Soldado' pretty much follows the formula of its prequel that spawned it; at least in the beginning. The film starts with a couple of shocking bangs... literally. It is a powerful beginning mostly built by two fast-paced did-they-really-do-that scenes; one taking place at the Mexican border, and the other in Kansas City in the dead-center of the United States.

That last location brings about some serious issues about which 'Day of the Soldado' attempts to raise awareness. But then again, I assume most people would have to look at a map to realize Kansas City is in the Midwest; and this brings up so this film's most prominent issue: it fails to connect despite its subject matter. That's because its focus is all over the place. There are many shallow attempts at insightful character developments like Alejandro's (Benicio Del Toro) vengeful burden and his friendship with the cocky and ruthless Matt (Josh Brolin). Yes, its there, you can see it, but when the chips are down and they are forced to make a difficult decision, I did not feel much of an involvement in their situation.

Fortunately, amidst this small lack of a central focus brought by its attempt to try many things, while it does not go in depth towards most of them, the surface that they scratch, they scratch it really well. There are many scenes of unbearable tension. Sure, they are brought up mostly by incidental crossing of its subplots, but they are not improbable. Take the scene in which Alejandro, in a car, nearly runs over Miguel, a boy who turns up to be a "coyote" for illegal border-crossing and thus recognizing Alejandro when he tries to cross the border illegally. Sure, you can scuff at his bad luck, or you can sit and enjoy a truly tense moment.

I have no idea why producer Trent Luckinbill felt like the first film needed a sequel, but he pulled it off pretty well. 'Sicario: Day of the Soldado' might be shallow, self-indulgent with its showcase of American Army bravado in form of various aerial bases, but its also stylish and highly produced and, most of all, it has just enough moments of masterful tension that it stops it from completely tumbling down.