By Bob Grimm
Much of the gang from Ben Affleck’s 2016 film about a high-functioning autistic ninja accountant returns for a very different take on the crazy premise that delivered a dark, decent vehicle for Affleck the first time out.
Returning director Gavin O’Connor keeps the action intense, but also opts for a more lighthearted, almost buddy-comedy-like vibe between Affleck’s Christian Wolff and his brother, Braxton (Jon Bernthal). The two spend a lot more time together this time out.
The Affleck/Bernthal chemistry rises above an unnecessarily complicated subplot involving a murdered character from the original, and the strange history behind the murderer. Props to you if you can decipher everything that’s going on with just one watch.
Cynthia Addai-Robinson returns as Treasury Department agent Marybeth Medina, and this time pairs with Christian to solve her former associate’s murder. Christian’s approach to interrogating suspects and witnesses garners a lot of laughs, as his character’s traits are played more for humor this time out. He’s very methodical and structured in the way he breaks a man’s fingers.
Braxton is called in for further assistance, and the movie actually aims for heart over bloodletting (although the film has its fair share of bloodletting). Some of the brother-bond stuff explored briefly at the end of chapter one gets the spotlight, and the movie becomes more about the two brothers and their rekindling friendship over the actual crime being investigated.
Affleck’s character was complicated in the first film; he didn’t laugh that much and was quite restricted emotionally. In the sequel, he’s a little different, attempting to find dates at meets-and-greets, and trying his best to be a good big brother. The change does chip away a bit at what makes the character unique, but it does allow for more depth when he interacts with others.
The first film leaned on Christian’s brilliance with numbers and the accountant side of his personality. (Hey, it was called The Accountant.) This film focuses on Christian’s yearning to apply the way his mind works to kinship with others. Your willingness to accept this premise might affect your level of enjoyment.
The dynamic between Affleck and Bernthal is contagious and lends itself to future stories if the producers choose to go that route. Affleck has chirped about a possible premise for a third chapter, but it isn’t official yet.
If The Accountant 2 winds up being the final chapter, it’s a goofy, fun conclusion that doesn’t even require a viewing of the first part. It’s a surprise buddy comedy that stands on its own.
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