Sicario: Day of the Soldado (2018)

Written by r96sk on January 31, 2024

Noticeably not as commanding as its predecessor, but 'Sicario: Day of the Soldado' is still a good time.

It's pleasing to have the returns of Benicio del Toro and Josh Brolin, the former isn't as great as before though the latter is basically the same. Isabela Merced, meanwhile, makes for a positive addition. Some parts of the story are more interesting than others, e.g. the bits directly with Elijah Rodriguez's Miguel aren't all that noteworthy.

It does set the atmosphere really well, sound-wise it's good - except for that one amusing (unintentionally, granted) use of 'girl screaming' stock audio, which I'm fairly certain is the exact same sound effect used in 'RollerCoaster Tycoon' back in the day - whatta game, by the way.

One (real) criticism I do have, mind, is the lighting. I saw a few reviewers noting that for the 2015 original too though I didn't see it (or I guess I did, ha) there. Here, however, it's obvious... especially early on. Once the plot gets moving it gets less and less noticeable, but still.

I can't say a sequel was needed, though at least they did an acceptable job with it. Time will tell if they do so again for 'Sicario: Capos'.