This review may contain spoilers.
First of all, Ralph Fiennes — what a performance. Holy Christ. Even just his work for the Jimmys might be the best thing I’ve seen in a cinema. Incredible.
I really enjoyed the storyline of Samson and Ian. For me, it was easily the stronger half of the movie. Samson is such an endearing character, and their relationship was a brilliant one to watch.
The Jimmys are a fantastic concept for a post-apocalyptic movie, and they represent what this franchise consistently does so well. It manages to reframe and reimagine social aspects of society that are affected after a cataclysmic event like this. The relationships between the Jimmys were fun, and Jack’s performance was captivating. Personally, though, I think they had a bit too much screen time. I found it hard to fully immerse myself in some of their scenes, mostly due to the absurdity of it all — especially their relationship with Spike.
Spike is a character I just can’t warm to. The ending with him and Ian was brilliant, but otherwise I struggle to fully empathise with him despite the horrific circumstances he’s endured. Alfie Williams does a great job portraying someone shocked into a near-paralysed state throughout most of the film, but it often causes his interactions to fall flat. I do think he and Kelly might have some chemistry that could make the next movie more engaging, but so far I haven’t enjoyed his scenes. In the last movie he had some good moments with the German character, but throughout this one I just couldn’t take to him.
Finally, I’m going to be a wimp and say it: the gore, at times, just isn’t for me. I hate to come across like some Satanic Panic suburban Karen, but I don’t always think it serves the movie. For example, the way the alpha pulls heads clean off serves a purpose — it shows the character’s brutality and raw strength. The skinning in the “charity” scene shows the pure insanity instilled in the Jimmys and their religious devotion. But there are moments throughout that border on shock for the sake of shock. I think the gore combine with the fight choreography of the Jimmy’s just isn’t to my personal preference for the tone of the movie. It’s moving towards Hot Fuzz or Zombieland and in a way I commend the absurdity and I would encourage them to continue with it, also with the knowledge that it’s just not for me and that’s fine.
That said, all in all it’s a brilliant movie, and I genuinely feel we’re on our way to one of the best trilogies in modern film.
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