It is quicker for me to grab a disc from my more prominently displayed Blu-ray collection than it is from my standard definition collection. So, since owning a HD player (circa 2009, Thanks Fingerhut.), I have probably reached out for the sequel to the cult classic, "The Boondock Saints", more often than its predecessor. In these 10 years since I saw "All Saints Day" in theater, watching it makes me feel a little dirtier with each viewing.
It has been well established that director Troy Duffy's reputation is awful. His arrogance lead him getting blackballed by the Weinstein Brothers (no sexual assault allegations) for a decade. This basically lead him to write a script that is solely fan service for the original film's cult. "The Boondock Saints II" is a film about two "devout" white Christians murdering criminals as they make homophobic jokes through out the picture. Add in the love for the concept of John "Duke Fucking" Wayne, and it has aged well a day since its release. Sony could re-release the film and make bank from incels.
I say I feel dirty watching this film, but as a fan of the leads from the first film (outside their dismissal of Willem Dafoe's strong gay supporting character's principles), there are elements that I enjoy about the picture. Delete the pep talk that serves as an excuse to bring back David Della Rocko's, and you may not have that reprehensible a script. The two films could have definitely used a little more color in terms of casting.
It was a time before Scott Steiner math. In the early 00's, "The Boondock Saints" was the most quoted thing in the Downstate Illinois wrestling scene. We all watched it and we all loved Norman Reedus before he was Darryl because of it. I am thinking we need a remake, which may sound blasphemous. What I need to do is to try pressuring Bostonian Bill Simmons to make the franchise's first flick a "flawed" Rewatchable to determine what needs to be done with the property.
But let us go back 10 (perhaps 11 years if the following review was for the first run theatrical viewing) to see if I have become a bit more woke, or if I had a clue and chose not to give a crap. Hopefully I have never been a douche (outside of kayfabe), but we shall see.
The Boondock Saints II: All Saints Day
"The Boondock Saints" was "The Heathers" of the 90's. With a ridiculous premise, likeable characters, and sharp dialogue, both films show that you can do a lot with limited direction and nil when it comes to substance. Fun flicks, but great flicks? Perhaps the more important question is, sequel-worthy flicks?
The son of Papa Joe Yakavetta is tired of living in fear of the Saints, so he orders the execution of a beloved South Boston priest. His hope is that by making it look like the MacMagnus clan, the Irish legends will come out of hiding to either be framed by them or have the Italians finally rise to the challenge that the vigilantes will bring.
Unable to resist being called out, Connor and Murphy decide to return to Boston from their retirement in Ireland. Their goal is to kill everyone who was involved in the assassination. It is a daunting task, but with help from their new Mexican compadre and Special Agent Smecker's apprentice, they are ready to take a wicked bite out of crime.
Everything that you enjoyed from Troy Duffy's first (and only other film) is delivered in the "The Boondock Saints II: All Saints Day". Everything except a meaningful and well-paced narrative.
There is a lack of care to correct the first film's flaws. Instead, they seem to be celebrated which lead the audience to realize the hack that Duffy is behind the camera. This film is a glorified music video with constant replays of poorly shot action sequences in an effort to show us he at least shot every possible angle. The result is that the film starts to drag half way through act two.
The set ups to the prolonged fight scenes are worthwhile because it gives us great interactions between the characters featuring some golden dialogue. Not quite Tarantino or Smith, but it serves as the only reason to watch this film. When you look back at its predecessor, clever and harsh dialogue is why we loved it.
"The Boondock Saint II" is a fine example of a favorite action genre (the highly quotable), but the director's lack of vision may leave audience knowing that this franchise is not a genuine classic. As long as you are needing a fix for manliness and wicked dialogue, this feature can be recommended. If you are trying to avoid that kind of toxicity, watch "Kill Bill" (That statement was added in 2020 for this 2009/10 review. Sadly, not a lot of strong female lead uber-action movies between 1999 and 2009).
