Movie Number 18 of 2026.
The Movie: The Devil Wears Prada 2
The Cinema: Hoyts Victoria Gardens
Runtime: Two hours
Stars: 3
Sequels are hard. With very few exceptions, and I'm thinking of the second Lord of the Rings movies, one or two of the Harry Potter films (Azkaban is a favourite) and some of the Marvel films, most sequels fall a bit flat.
Unfortunately, The Devil Wears Prada 2 falls into this second category. It is watchable. It is fun. The fashion is great. The script and acting aren't too bad, but it lacks the charm of the first film.
There, I said it.
The Devil Wears Prada 2 isn't a stinker. It's just that it's a cerulean covered (IYKYK) film with a lot of product placement and some people you'd like to dong on the head every now and then.
The plot, according to IMDB.com, reads "Andy Sachs reunites with Miranda Priestly as they navigate their careers amid the decline of traditional magazine publishing."
Andy Sachs (Anne Hathaway) has grown up quite a bit in the 20 years from when she chucked a hissy fit and then her phone into the Seine at the end of the last film. She is, and always has been, the grown up. Miranda Priestly (Meryl Street) is as acidic as ever. Nigel (Stanley Tucci) is busy keeping everything together behind the scenes at Runway. And Emily (Emily Blunt) has hooked up with a millionaire and is working at Dior.
The more I look back at this, the lazier this film comes across. It's like they've moved the plot into 2026 and hoping the things that made things work back then will work again - from the fashion, the token Australian boyfriend (Patrick Bramhall), to introducing Miranda's husband Stuart (Kenneth Branagh) who has next to nothing to do, to the reasonably competent assistant to Miranda (Simone Ashley).
Lazy, lazy, lazy.
On the good side of things, it's very pretty to look at and there are some fantastic one liners in the scrip - but really, I was a bit bored. What was fun and charming 20 years ago has not aged that well.
However, we went to a later session on the Friday night - the large theater was almost full or mainly flamboyant men. it was great to see.
This isn't the greatest sequel in the world, nor is it the worst. It makes great Friday night movie fodder where you don't have to think too much. If you're a fan of the original, you'll spot the Easter eggs. Otherwise, maybe wait for it to come onto a streaming service in a few months.
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