The Boondock Saints II: All Saint’s Day – Review
A decade ago, a little film came out in theaters and then quickly left. Such things happen from time to time due to a variety of circumstances, but if not for the DVD format who championed its first film into cult status when The Boondock Saints hit the format, would this sequel have happened? Fox claimed to make $40 million off of DVD sales, an incredible amount considering the $7 million film barely crossed $26,000 in its entire theatrical run. For all of the people Troy Duffy seemed to irk off in 1999, he can at least thank DVD. We’ve seen it a few times before, when something like a TV show or movie comes and goes, yet through DVD sales, it becomes a cult property, and I bring this all up, because if not for DVD, the unlikely sequel The Boondock Saints II: All Saint’s Day would not have been pushed theatrically. I assume all involved, hoped that the people who bought the DVD of the first film, would come to the theaters for this one, yet I’m certain, many again will discover The Boondock Saints II: All Saint’s Day on DVD, rather than in theaters.
Is that a bad thing? Not really. All Saint’s Day won’t win over any new fans that the first film didn’t gather. It’s for the fans of the first film, at times seems tongue-in-cheek about the Saints appeal, but I guess that’s apart of the fun. Duffy really hasn’t grown as a film maker, as here he repeats a lot of the same tricks. Remember Dafoe’s awesome retelling of “the fire fight!” sequence? Julie Benz replaces Dafoe as Special Agent Bloom, and has a scene where she retells a scene as an “OK Corral”. It’s fine, fun actually, but virtually the same trick. Most of the film is like that, which is a double edged sword for Duffy. The Boondock Saints fans will be pleased, yet it won’t impress non-fans and critics. Duffy’s Tarantino Jr., and if you like you’re guys extra tough, spouting off tough guy dialogue, and guns blazing, then enjoy The Boondock Saints II.
I’m sure many will ask if this sequel was needed. Are sequels ever needed? That’s a case by case situation, but Duffy has a good hook to bring the Saints back to Boston. Nearly a decade after the courtroom execution of the crime boss, someone is now mocking the Saints’ trademark of placing coins on the victim’s eyes. Except the victim is a priest, something of a calling-out act that works. The Saints come back, yet have to face someone from their Dad’s past. It works, and while Duffy still meanders his pacing on the film, goes a bit over-the-top in dialogue, and finds a superb replacement for Funny Man Rocco in Clifton Collins Jr. as Romeo, it’s not like this sequel will outshines the first film. Collins delivers the over-the-top antics with the same gusto as Dafoe did in the first film, completing a fine year for Collins. Julie Benz (Dexter, Rambo) is really good, even if her character is essentially a female Smecker.
It all comes down to fun, seeing more of the same from the Saints. I don’t really know if Troy Duffy survived the documentary Overnight, but it seems like he can make a film again. It’s a good choice to do a sequel to his debut. Essentially, more of the same, but if expectations are adjusted correctly, what’s wrong with that? Let’s hope he does another film before doing The Boondock Saints III. Oops, did I spoil something? C’mon, the DVD sales for this are going to go through the roof.
Rating: 
