Featured

Review: Atlas Shrugged: Part II

Altas Shrugged Part II Atlas Shrugged: Part II opened in theaters today, and I was lucky enough to be in a market that had an early matinee this morning. Of course, I already had tickets, and was first in the theater… way too early.

Again, no spoilers but a few thoughts. Part II, “The Strike”, is anti-climactic. If you have read the book, you know this is the part of the story that builds a case for John Galt and his vision. If you haven’t read the book, and were confused by some of the things in Part I, your confusion will not much be helped by seeing Part II. Go see it anyway.

The cast included some surprising choices this time around (and it is an all-new cast). Actor Paul McCrane, of E.R. fame, was a surprisingly good choice for Mouch, but his character wasn’t developed enough. Mouch is the embodiment of crushing government, and they didn’t quite let Mr. MrCrane crush. I was, however, very happy with the casting of Esai Morales as Francisco d’Anconia this time around. The role of d’Anconia in this part of the story is far different from his role in Part I, and I think that Morales’ was probably the best acted in the entire film. Samantha Mathis was competent as Dagny, but her role was over-acted. I was conflicted through much of the movie in my opinion of Jason Beghe as Hank Rearden. I think he portrayed Rearden more accurately than Grant Bowler, but I do believe that Bowler was a more compelling Rearden. Patrick Fabian was a perfect choice as James Taggart, and acted it horribly. *sigh*.

Go see the movie. The implementation of Directive 10-289 is chilling, and eerily familiar in a very uncomfortable way. Expect that it will be overacted and the language a little stiff. Expect, if you have read the book, that there will be things left out that you wish had been left in, but know that Francisco gives his swoon-inducing money-speech (to an ineffective lead-up), and that was enough for me. More people need to hear those words.

Finally, there were some timely pop-culture references in the movie that I am not certain added to the story, but were fun to catch. There is a vague Titanic reference, some obvious Occupy Wall Street parallels, and TEA Party-style nuance (pay close attention to the protesters after Directive 10-289 is enacted!) It was fun to see some other familiar faces like Sean Hannity, Juan Williams, and Jonathan Hoenig, of Capitalist Pig Asset Management! And, to finally catch a glimpse of John Galt (D.B. Sweeney has the best line in the movie… “I am John Galt.” )

Support Conservative Daily News with a small donation via Paypal or credit card that will go towards supporting the news and commentary you've come to appreciate.

Michelle Ray (twitter: @GaltsGirl)

Michelle Ray is the host of In Deep on CDN Radio, Social Media Director for Conservative Daily News, and can be found on Twitter as @GaltsGirl

Related Articles

One Comment

  1. I have 2 words that I would like the director and cast to keep in mind while filming Part 3:

    SLOW DOWN!!!

    I felt like Ayn’s ideas were being presented by an auctioneer in mid-bid during Part 1 and the first half of Part 2. I’ve read Atlas Shrugged multiple times and I had trouble keeping up some time. Part 2 finally settled into the groove about 1/2 way through. But as you said, the end was spoiled by the staging and delivery of the iconic line. Too rushed again.

    I thought Jason Beghe/Hank Rearden’s courtroom speech was well done and I also liked Esai Morales’s portrayal of Frisco. I liked Fabian’s Jim Taggart. I agree that Samantha Mathis was a better Dagny, but I was sad to see the character swing from a somewhat ditsy twenty-something to a Dagny who looked and dressed like a 40 year old Hillary Clinton. Both actresses lacked the steel and certainty of Ayn’s Dagny, although Mathis’ portrayal occasionally showed glimmers of it. I thought the Dagny/Hank chemistry was good, too. My wife isn’t available to play the part, so I guess they will always have to go with plan B. 😉

    But in the end, definitely worth the $7. I can’t wait for Part 3!

    LaRue

Back to top button