A positive surprise after a disappointing first part

kluseba

The second part of Attack on Titan, subtitled The End of the World, is much better than the entertaining but formulaic first part.

This second part quickens up the pace and leads to quite a few twists and turns in a dynamic plot. Some of them might be quite predictable which speaks for the questionable quality of the source material but they are executed with vivid special effects, directional precision and overall improved acting skills. Another positive element is that the second part provides some essential background information on the dystopian universe of the franchise in form of introspective dialogues and precise flashbacks. The movie also becomes more dynamic and tense as the confrontations between the Titans and the decimated human fighters become more brutal, spectacular and unpredictable. Even some of the more shallow characters become somewhat dynamic as the numerous challenges change them in negative or positive ways. The dramatic conclusion of the epic film is satisfactory and leaves no questions unanswered. While the first part had an addicting first half hour but lost steam until the final minutes, this second part has no lengths whatsoever and entertains from start to finish.

Obviously, some of the flaws present in the first part also remain in the second and last instalment. The plot is too predictable at times and seems to borrow heavily from franchises such as Divergent and The Maze Runner. The dystopian universe remains quite faceless as well and the locations are particularly uninteresting. The characters become a little bit more dynamic but are still far from being unique and it remains difficult to root for any of them.

Still, if compared to the at times lackluster first part, the second part can be seen as a very positive surprise and the negative elements are rather related to the average source material than the film itself. If the first film disappointed you, you should still stick around for the much more satisfactory second part that ends the live action adaptation of the popular anime series on a very high note. Fans of dystopian science-fiction stories focused on juvenile characters will definitely enjoy this flick.

score 8/10

kluseba 8 January 2018

Reprint: https://www.imdb.com/review/rw4027509/