Just finished watching A Quiet Place Part II. Here's my verdict: I like it very much.
The first film has the ... horror-like, suspense and apocalypse feelings to it. Part II has none of that "horror-like" feeling but retain the suspense and apocalypse approaches to the film, it is not gruesome but it is very violent ... action film since we knew who the blind creatures are as well as knowing their weaknesses.
In the first part, Lee Abbott (played by John Krasinski) along with his wife Evelyn (played by John's wife, Emily Blount) played a pivotal role in being hero, trying to protect their children - Marcus (by Noah Jupe) and Regan (by Millicent Simmonds whom herself is Deaf) from these blind creatures who were bent on slaughtering anyone that makes a noise. What sustained the family for a while is their ability to use American Sign Language with their voices muted, while millions were slaughtered. Lee eventually sacrificed himself to save his family.
In second part, as much as Evelyn continues to protect her teens, Marcus and Regan - they must conquer their fears and embrace their roles in fighting against the blind invaders. Needless to say, Marcus and Regan triumphed at the end which will tie in the third film of the trilogy. And by the ending of the film, it is obvious that Marcus and Regan are going to lead the humans against the blind invaders.
One interesting thing about the blind invaders, they are very sensitive to two things - the very two things that easily got them killed in the process - made me think about their "homeworld" - I got the feeling that their faraway planet does not have a body of water and it may indicate that their planet is a scorched and barren planet that does not rely on their eyes or ability to use their bodies to swim.
For a long time, the film industry has portrayed Deaf characters as helpless, hapless and pitiful who must rely on hearing people for any help. But this film, it focused on the determination of Regan who insisted that she needs to do what is must be done and she ... succeeded. When she did do that, she slaughtered her first blind invader.
You know what I think ... ? If a deaf teenager survived and gets to slaughter the formidable blind invader like Regan who is able to survive this destruction, it means Regan is not the only Deaf individual on the planet who did do this. Therefore, the folks involved with the production needs to hunt down and include the new ... few Deaf characters to sign up as warriors in the third film. They'd make a formidable foe for the blind invaders.
After all, I was at a deaf school at VSDB that has a blind department, too - you folks do *not* know how many times we had these .... conflicts ... with blind students.
Either way, I must praise Millicent Simmonds for her role in the film. I look forward to see what she has to offer in the next film. I still think Millicent is going to be the next Marlee Matlin, like it or not. Hell, at this pace, she can be better than Marlee and if she does, I'm dead sure that Marlee would be so thrilled to see her like that.
For what is worth, I had seen her in Wonderstruck, A Quiet Place and now A Quiet Place Part II - Millicent *can* act. She's amazing actress. Please note that I said she's amazing actress without "deaf" in it.
Cheers,
R-
