Darkman II: The Return of Durant was a direct to video sequel that is no where near as good as the original Darkman film. This film seemed like it was made to actually cash in on the first film. Here’s the thing in the first film Darkman nemesis Robert Durant died in a helicopter crash. At the beginning of this film however he is revived by some doctor who has done something to his body to bring him back to life in a normal state. I don’t get it, but for the producers of the film it seemed like a good idea.
So, basically here’s what Darkman II is about. Durant is back, and with a little help from old freinds he gets right back into taking over the crime business that he left behind when Darkman put him out of commission. With the help of his crew Durant breaks an insane weapons developer out of a mental institution, and uses him to create a deadly laser weapon. Something that he can now sell as a weapons dealer on the black market. However once Darkman finds out that Durant is still alive, he uses his disguises to track down Durant until he’s dead.
Raimi and company did produce this film, and it makes me wonder why they would choose the script that they did. I personally found the script to this film to add nothing more to the story of Darkman. It felt more like, we got cheated with the first film and the story from the first one never ended, but in fact ends with this film. Our character are already developed and we all already know everything about them from the first film. However they really don’t evolve as characters in this story at all.
The acting in the film is not bad. However, Liem Neeson does not return in the role of our hero this time, and the role of Darkman goes to actor Arnold Vosloo. Vosloo if you don’t know who he is plays the Mummy in the new Universal Mummy films. (Some people get him confused with Independent horror director Dave Stagnari, But I won’t go there.) Vosloo does just as good a job that Neeson in the role and I find that he makes the character more darker than Neeson did. Larry Drake was also good, back in the part of Durant, but to me he’s still Benny from L.A. Law. The rest of the cast is decent, but the performances are nothing to go crazy about.
The overall production value is not as great as the first film. The sets are not as elaborate, and some of the effects are not that great. Darkman’s make-up does however still look good, but some of the CGI effects look cheesy. especially that of the laser gun used at the end of the film. The costume is still as good as the first film. However despite most of which I mention in terms of visuals lacked in this film. We had better action scenes and effects in the first film, where this film lacks in it’s attempt to be better.
Overall, Darkman II: The Return of Durant is a disappointing sequel. There was no attempt to make this film any better or just as good as the first one. It lacked in it’s terms to provide a better story and give a more action packed film. It did have some entertaining merit. but nothing that we all haven’t seen in an action sci-fi film before.
– Horror Bob
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- Interview with Director Stevan Mena (Malevolence) - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Screenwriter Jeffery Reddick (Day of the Dead 2007) - January 22, 2015
- Teleconference interview with Mick Garris (Masters of Horror) - January 22, 2015
- A Day at the Morgue with Corri English (Unrest) - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Writer/Director Nacho Cerda (The Abandoned, Aftermath) - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Actress Thora Birch (Dark Corners, The Hole, American Beauty) - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Actor Jason Behr, Plus Skinwalkers Press Coverage - January 22, 2015
