Darkman 2 - The Return of Durant

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Sam Raimi created Darkman with a potential franchise in mind, and his original movie had enough flair to suggest a sequel was warranted. Unfortunately (or perhaps wisely--for Raimi), he handed over the straight-to-video sequel duties to rookie director Bradford May, and nobody bothered to come up with much of a screenplay. As a result, Darkman II plays like a bad pilot for a proposed Darkman TV series, with Arnold Vosloo (best known as a villain in Jean-Claude Van Damme's Hard Target) doing his best to replace Liam Neeson in the title role. Sporting a dastardly scar and delivering lackluster punch lines as he kills his many enemies, Larry Drake returns from the first film as the villainous Durant, who wreaks havoc in his attempt to finance and manufacture the world's most destructive automatic weapons. As he supports the synthetic skin experiments of a like-minded scientist, the scarred hero known as Darkman thwarts Durant's ruthless plot, but the case proves costly for the intrepid crime reporter (Kim Delaney, pre-NYPD Blue) who allies herself with Darkman's efforts. Basically, this by-the-numbers plot serves as a tissue-thin vehicle for lots of explosions and gratuitous violence, and it's all about as inspired as a bad syndicated action show. Of interest only to those who were dazzled by the original Darkman, and even then it's a disappointment. --Jeff Shannon

Customer Reviews:

His Name's Not "Buddy". It's Durant!.......2007-07-28

Considering this is a direct-to-video sequel to a hit film missing it's star, the film is very good. It manages to capture the look and feel of the first film better than you'd expect. Not 100% mind you, but the title sequence and the flashes of Darkman's rage and the music are duplicated perfectly. This no doubt has to do with Sam Raimi and Robert Tapert being on board as executive producers. It's the return of Durant(that's Robert G Durant to you), and he's no mere henchman this time around, but the big cheese. It's a bit difficult to believe he actually survived that helicopter crash, and even more difficult to believe that if he did survive, that he wouldn't be covered with major third degree burns not unlike Darkman himself. But this is a B action film, who the hell cares? Did we question why Arcane just showed up in Return of the Swamp Thing all alive and healthy for no logical reason? Of course not, you just accept it. Durant's got a plan to corner the market on arms sales by creating one big whoopass gun, but he's having a few problems with some folks who won't sell their building so Durant can convert it to a manufacturing plant. Add to that, Darkman problems. Darkman has now become full fledged crimefighter(at least I think so. In the beginning he puts the hurt on a guy who was shooting up a car full of people, but then switches his attention solely to Durant), and lives a kind of Batman existence underground. He even has a mini railway car. He's still having a hell of a time trying to get that synthetic skin to hold together though. He finds hope in another scientist who's working on the same thing, but that's quickly down the tubes coz the scientist is the guy who won't sell Durant his building....and we all know what happens when folks don't cooperate with Durant, don't we? So now Darkman's double pissed. Again he tries to infiltrate Durant's organization through his clever disguises and it all leads to an explosive showdown as you would expect from this kind of film. Though most of it's by the numbers, this movie is pretty good. Don't be discouraged by the fact that Liam Neeson isn't here. After all, he had more important things to do like star in that rotten Star Wars movie(Rob Roy was cool though!). Arnold Vosloo isn't what you'd call a household name, but most folks might remember him as the guy who played the mummy in the films with Brendan Fraser. Vosloo was actually picked by Raimi and Tapert as Neeson's replacement, and it's easy to see why. I actually like Vosloo better as Darkman. He's got charisma, charm. Hell, the guy is smooth. And when needed he can jump into action mode, no problem. I like Liam Neeson, but he was a little too mumbly and whiney. Vosloo is more of the badass you picture a guy like Darkman to be. Of course a lot more screen time is given to Larry Drake. Actually, I'd even go so far to say he's the star of the film. Great job as always, he looks like he's having fun. Of course he usually looks like he's having fun. A very good performance, a very mean and over the top villain. Darkman 2 is worth checking out, you just might be a bit surprised.

Sadly,.......2005-03-29

The lack of Liam neeson and raimi's directing is what ruined this movie for me. While Mr. Vasloo is superb in his taking on the burden of the Liam created character and mr. Drake always has appeal, the movie as a whole needed a much better script. It was too predicatble, too phoney.
On the bonus side, they did manage to keep the hapahazard and crazy comments Darkman makes during chases and fight scenes in tact, so that was a plus.

Another great movie!.......2004-07-04

This movie is a fun filled movie that delivers nonstop action and isn't one second boring! Brilliant!

A big surprise!.......2004-07-04

After I saw this movie I realized that it is not so bad as everyone described it to be. Although they changed the person who plays Darkman, this movie is still good and fun to watch more than once. It's a good movie!

Very good!.......2004-07-02

All I can say is that I loved this movie from start to finish because of its splendid acting, cast, script, and everyting else. This movie is must see for all comic book fans because it's just GREAT!

Darkman II: The Return of Durant [Region 2]

Average customer rating:

His Name's Not "Buddy". It's Durant!
Sadly,
Another great movie!
A big surprise!
Very good!

Darkman II: The Return of Durant [Region 2]
Starring: Larry Drake , Arnold Vosloo , Kim Delaney , Renée O'Connor , and Lawrence Dane
Director: Bradford May
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

( D ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

ASIN: B00004WZZW

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Customer Reviews:

His Name's Not "Buddy". It's Durant!.......2007-07-28

Sadly,.......2005-03-29

Another great movie!.......2004-07-04

This movie is a fun filled movie that delivers nonstop action and isn't one second boring! Brilliant!

A big surprise!.......2004-07-04

Very good!.......2004-07-02

All I can say is that I loved this movie from start to finish because of its splendid acting, cast, script, and everyting else. This movie is must see for all comic book fans because it's just GREAT!

Darkman/Darkman 2 - The Return of Durant

Average customer rating:

Darkman/Darkman 2 - The Return of Durant
Starring: Liam Neeson , Frances McDormand , Colin Friels , Larry Drake , and Nelson Mashita
Director: Sam Raimi , and Bradford May
Manufacturer: Universal Studios
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Horror | Genres | DVD | Video

( D ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
ASIN: B00005LC4H
Release Date: 2001-08-28

Amazon.com

Darkman
When attorney Julie Hastings (Frances McDormand) uncovers corrupt city real estate dealings, evil thugs attack her scientist boyfriend, Peyton Westlake (Liam Neeson). Left for dead after his lab is detonated, he miraculously survives but at a city hospital is unknowingly submitted to radical therapy that numbs his nerves to feeling--but heightens his strength and his emotions. Horribly burned and scarred, he uses synthetic skin to impersonate his would-be murderers and seek retribution for their evil deeds. While the film has an average script, it is overcome by the flashy cinematography of Bill Pope, the bombastic score by Danny Elfman, and the well-choreographed direction of Sam Raimi. The director confidently walks the line between suspense, action, comedy, and romance as he examines a bitter, victimized antihero who risks becoming as monstrous on the inside as he appears on the outside. --Bryan Reesman

Darkman II
Sam Raimi created Darkman with a potential franchise in mind, and his original movie had enough flair to suggest a sequel was warranted. Unfortunately (or perhaps wisely--for Raimi), he handed over the straight-to-video sequel duties to rookie director Bradford May, and nobody bothered to come up with much of a screenplay. As a result, Darkman II plays like a bad pilot for a proposed Darkman TV series, with Arnold Vosloo (The Mummy) doing his best to replace Liam Neeson in the title role. Sporting a dastardly scar and delivering lackluster punch lines as he kills his many enemies, Larry Drake returns from the first film as the villainous Durant, who wreaks havoc in his attempt to finance and manufacture the world's most destructive automatic weapons. As he supports the synthetic skin experiments of a like-minded scientist, the scarred hero known as Darkman thwarts Durant's ruthless plot, but the case proves costly for the intrepid crime reporter (Kim Delaney, pre-NYPD Blue) who allies herself with Darkman's efforts. Basically, this by-the-numbers plot serves as a tissue-thin vehicle for lots of explosions and gratuitous violence, and it's all about as inspired as a bad syndicated action show. Of interest only to those who were dazzled by the original Darkman, and even then it's a disappointment. --Jeff Shannon

DVD:

DVD

DVD