BAD ASS 2: BAD ASSES

2014 / Director. Craig Moss.
Review by Glenn Cochrane.

BAD ASS 2 picks up three years after the events of the first movie. Danny Trejo's Frank Vega character is now living peacefully in a small apartment at the back of his boxing gym. His celebrity status since his vigilante spree is fading and he is enjoying a life of solitude with a close knit circle of friends surrounding him. When his most promising boxing student is killed by an organised crime ring Frank is thrust back into the violent vigilante game and embarks on another rage-fuelled rampage. This time he is joined by another geezer, Bernie, played by Danny Glover. Bernie is an agoraphobic convenience store owner with skilled ice hockey moves. He gets caught up in the violent mess and together the two old blokes whack, punch, stab and maim their way through an onslaught of criminals. This is a super-charged and over the top extension of the first movie. The small, arthouse charm of the original is lost on this sequel, however, it is a natural progression with enough wit and charisma to carry it to the finish line. With a seemingly bigger budget the film is a lot glossier than the previous instalment and the violence is more skillfully choreographed. Danny Trejo embodies this character and I would even suggest that he feels more comfortable in these shoes than he does in his MACHETE character's. His violent tendencies are justified in this franchise and his softer side is what lends the story its appeal. Danny Glover also fits into the story nicely, although his character is probably a little too chariacturetured and animated. His grumpy-schtick is amusing for the most part but forced a little too much and reminiscent of his Roger Murtaugh character from LETHAL WEAPON. But the qualms are insignificant and BAD ASS 2 is a winner. With a third film on the way it is becoming a great little franchise that plays out like a tongue in cheek DEATH WISH. Lots of fun.

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