The movie “The Devil Wears Prada 2” — a sequel to the cult 2006 film — continues to be shown in Ukrainian cinemas starring Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt, and Stanley Tucci. Despite high audience ratings on Rotten Tomatoes, Ukrainian reviewers met the sequel much more reservedly — the film is praised for its atmosphere and nostalgia, but criticized for a weak script, loss of sharpness, and an attempt to “play” on the popularity of the original.
The premiere in Ukraine took place on April 30. The same team that was there in 2006 joined the filming of the sequel, led by director David Frankel and screenwriter Aline Brosh McKenna.
Global ratings for the film are currently quite high: as of May 12, the film has 79% positive reviews from critics and 85% from viewers on Rotten Tomatoes. At the same time, the reaction of Ukrainian reviewers turned out to be much more reserved.
Critics note that nostalgia has become the main advantage of the film. The movie brings back familiar characters and immerses viewers once again into the world of fashion, gloss, and editorial intrigue. Visually, the film looks stylish and expensive, and certain scenes truly work for fans of the first part.
However, comparison with the original became the sequel's biggest problem. If the first “The Devil Wears Prada” was a sharp satire on the fashion industry and careerism, then the sequel often looks like a collection of separate episodes and jokes without a cohesive story. Ukrainian reviewers also note that the film tries to speak about the crisis of modern media, social networks, and hype culture, but does so too superficially.
For example, on “Unian” the sequel was rated 6 out of 10, called a decent continuation of the cult hit that gives a warm sense of nostalgia, although it noticeably loses the sharpness of the first part.
In the review by “Ukrainska Pravda” they note that the film's problem lies in the loss of genre integrity: if the first film was a well-constructed rom-com with clear dramaturgy, then the second part resembles more of a set of and clichés.
On “The Page” they pointed out that some plot lines start interestingly but do not reach a logical conclusion. Because of this in places, the film looks more like an expensive emotional epilogue to the original, than a full-fledged independent story. At the same time, they add that the film is still worth watching for fans of the first part — primarily for the sake of the atmosphere, familiar characters, and visual pleasure.
Separately, critics draw attention to the change in Miranda Priestly's image. Meryl Streep's character has lost the toughness and charisma that made her iconic. In the new film, she no longer looks like the uncompromising "devil" of the fashion industry, but rather a tired executive who is gradually losing control over a world that changed long ago.
Despite the criticism, the sequel still finds its audience. For many viewers, it is an opportunity to see favorite characters again and return to the atmosphere of the iconic film of the 2000s. And although the new "The Devil Wears Prada" is unlikely to become the same phenomenon as the original, it works quite well as a light, stylish movie for the evening.
Where to watch the film in Lviv
Multiplex:
- at the "Victoria Gardens" shopping center there are 8 screenings daily (the first at 11:30, the last at 20:00). Tickets: from 190 UAH.
- at the "Spartak" shopping center there are 9 screenings daily (the first at 11:15, the last at 20:20). Tickets: from 170 UAH.
Planeta Kino:
- at the "Forum Lviv" shopping center there are 5-7 screenings daily (the first at 10:00 or 10:30, the last at 20:30). Tickets: from 250 UAH.
- at the "King Cross Leopolis" shopping center there are 5 screenings daily ( the first at 12:00 or 12:35, the last at 20:35). King Cross Leopolis. Tickets: from 200 UAH.
VKino:
- at the "Horikhovyi Cinema Center" there are 1-2 screenings daily at different times. Tickets: 120 UAH.
- at "Echo Cinema" there are screenings on May 12-13 at 13:00 and 20:00. Tickets: 150 UAH.
"The Devil Wears Prada 2" will be in theaters until May 27.
