The Devil Wears Prada 2 doesn’t miss a step as all of our favorite characters from the original film – plus a few well know faces – show up to give fans exactly what they wanted to celebrate this much beloved film.
SYNOPSIS: Miranda Priestly navigates her career amid the decline of traditional magazine publishing and reunites with Andy Sachs to face off against a former assistant turned rival. | 1h 59m | Rated PG-13 for strong language and some suggestive references.
Often it is hard to recapture the magic of a story and characters once twenty years have passed. Times change, people change, audiences change. One thing that has not changed is the power and influence that fashion has on society. The writers combine that iconic medium with the change that has impacted the world of print. The tangible magazines and newspapers have gone the way of streaming and 15-second scroll grabs. We find our characters navigating those ever changing waters while finding where they fit in the world now.
Do you need to watch or rewatch the first film?
Short answer is no. The long and better answer is, it will help endear you to a lot of the moments you may have forgotten about and the references made in the new one. I watched the original film the night before watching this one, and loved how some of the easter eggs and wit jumped right out. It was an added enjoyment having those fresh in my head. When Nigel calls Andy “six” I would not have remembered the point. Knowing was endearing and made me smile.
What has everyone been doing since we saw them last? As imagined Miranda Priestly (Meryl Streep) and Nigel (Stanley Tucci) are still trying to stay on top of the fashion world by leading the famous Runway magazine. Andy (Anne Hathaway) has become the journalist she had hoped for even in the world where print journalism is almost archaic. Emily Charlton, well, let’s just keep her spoiler free for now. Only to say that she has stayed in the fashion world and has not lost one ounce of her frustration with the people around her.
When a string of events brings them all back together again Runway is at the center of it all. The future of not only the magazine but these four individuals hangs on some fast negotiations and quick thinking from all involved.
One of the standouts of this new film is how even though twenty years has past in real life the characters feel exactly the same. Yes there has been some maturing and a few age lines. But the mannerisms, attitude, and style have not missed a beat. Watching them back to back is absolutely seamless. Do vampires live among us? Seeing these four actors on screen might be all the proof we need.
The writing captures how life has changed in the last two decades, but does it accurately. It doesn’t take it over the top and shine a huge spotlight of how the world works now compared to then. Anyone with a job then and now understand it all very well. Miranda more than anyone is having to learn what she can and can’t say to employees. She is still the fierce and success driven business woman. If you are worried you will get anything less fear not.
As a fan of Project Runway and the world of fashion it was fun for me to spot all the cameos taking place in the Milan crowd and fashion events. So many people are fans of the original and I would think given anything to be in this one. Having those iconic faces grounded the film in the industry it represents. Even some of the random office workers are back sitting in the board rooms. It was certainly an act of getting the band back together. Sadly in this world of social media and letting all the cats out of the bag, one of my fave cameos and what could have been a cheer worthy moment, you know is coming. I won’t say it here in case maybe one you one doesn’t know. But even knowing it was still super cool.
Whose runway look fell flat?
What didn’t work for me and felt too forced – even though it was the catalyst of the whole story – was the addition of B.J. Novak as the son of Runway’s owner. Novak we know as an amazing writer and a pretty decent actor. Here he tried too hard to be the up and coming entrepreneur, but it felt like someone playing dress up in daddy’s clothes. I didn’t believe him in any of it. Luckily his character only shows up at poignant times and is there to move the story ahead, not elevate it. So noticeable but forgivable.
It was exiting to see a packed theater for this one. It shows how loved the first film was and how pumped audiences where for another round. There are some really touching moments in this one. At times Streep and Priestly felt like one person as Miranda talked about her life and career. Anyone who has worked in a career their whole life and wonders if they are still needed are relevant will find these moments tangible.
Humor, emotion, and love of fashion combine to make this one as watchable and rewatchable as its predecessor. The Devil Wears Prada 2 is in theaters and the perfect day or night date movie.
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