Directed by: Troy Duffy

Premise: Taking place eight years after the events of the original film, the MacManus brothers (Sean Patrick Flanery and Norman Reedus) return to Boston when a priest is murdered. The two begin an investigation, killing their way to the truth behind the priest’s murder.

What Works: Boondock Saints II continues the soporific humor and over-the-top carnage of the original film and fans are likely to enjoy the new outing. The film keeps most of the successful elements of the original film intact, especially the highly stylized action scenes and the borderline psychotic energy of the two brothers. This is a Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez inspired shoot-‘em-up and despite some extreme stunts, the film has a self consciousness about itself that pokes the audience in the ribs, encouraging them to laugh at the film’s excesses. There are two newcomers to the series that make big impressions in supporting roles. One is Julie Benz as FBI special agent Eunice Bloom and Benz commands the scenes she is in, selling the authority and intelligence of her character. The other is Peter Fonda as The Roman, and Fonda radiates menace literally without getting out of his chair.

What Doesn’t: The original Boondock Saints was a bona fide cult hit, finding a dedicated fan following when it hit home video. The sequel has been made for the fans of the original and in its attempt to recapture that experience the new film repeats a lot of scenarios seen before. This is a bit disappointing because part of what made the first film so appealing was its originality.

Bottom Line: Like its predecessor, Boondock Saints II is not an exercise in storytelling so much as it is an excuse to enjoy actors barking bad ass lines of dialogue as they perform bad ass stunts while shooting bad ass weapons. It may not be great cinema but it is very entertaining.