WHAT’S IT ABOUT
After the death of Charras, Lino and Julia form the new narcotics unit. Determined to find the murderers of his brother and his mentor, Lino continues his hunt and won’t let anyone get in his way.
MOVIESinMO REVIEW
If you found the original Lost Bullet to have thrilling action and great car stunts, strap yourself in—Lost Bullet 2 (French title: Balle Perdue 2) shifts into high gear and never lets up. The sequel builds upon everything the first film did well and amplifies it to make it even better, showing that French action films are deserving of worldwide recognition. Lost Bullet 2 picks up where the original left off. Lino (Alban Lenoir) is now a bona fide part of the police force. Having cleared his name in the initial film, our resourceful mechanic has a new task: finding the remaining corrupt cops who murdered his mentor and the resulting complications that followed. The film recaps the first quite nicely, so new fans will not be in the dark. However, it’s certainly going to make it easier for you to appreciate the story of the character if you see the original beforehand. The action in Lost Bullet 2 is much better than the action of the first movie. Director Guillaume Pierret obviously had a bigger budget this time and made every dollar work for him. The car chases are longer, more intricate, and even more amazing, especially since they use real effects instead of computer graphics. A specific highway sequence early in the film establishes the tone—cars flip and crash, and they are used as weapons in a way that would make the Fast & Furious crew envious. What makes these so effective is that they look dangerous and realistic. When metal clashes with metal in this film, you can almost feel the shock of the impact. Alban Lenoir returns as Lino and proves he is one of the most thrilling action heroes of recent years. Unlike most lead characters who somehow become expert fighters in the time between films, Lino remains true to himself—he is still primarily a mechanic who uses his brain rather than his brawn. This does not translate to him not being able to fight. There is plenty of intense hand-to-hand combat in the film, where Lino receives as much as he gives. The action is gritty and desperate, a refreshing change in this age of superhuman action heroes. Lino is compelling because he is smart and resourceful. When he faces opponents with a lot of weapons, he doesn’t suddenly become a great shooter—he uses what he knows about machines to change regular objects and vehicles into useful weapons or tools for escaping. Lost Bullet 2 adds more characters, giving Julia (Stéfi Celma) more time on screen. She becomes a real partner to Lino, not just someone who follows him. Their professional relationship adds depth to the narrative without lapsing into a gratuitous romance angle. Diego (Sébastien Lalanne), the director of police who had a small role in the original, is given more screen time here, and his moral ambiguity brings rich texture to the narrative. The villains this time are also more well-developed. We have our villains with improved motives and a stronger presence instead of just corrupt policemen. This makes Lino’s quest for justice harder than a simple revenge story. The way the film is shot is also interesting—car chases are shot in crisp and realistic fashion. The camera angles place you in the passenger seat or even beneath the wheels at times. Unlike the majority of modern-day action films, you can always see what is happening in front of you, with no confusing quick cuts or shaky cam to hide the stunts. The sound design is also great. Each engine has its own particular roar, and the crunch of metal, the screech of tires, and the crashes are all mixed to perfection. In spite of subtitles, you’ll be turning up the volume anyway just to listen to the sound quality. Where the storyline of the first movie was simple, “clear my name,” Lost Bullet 2 is more involved. The conspiracy Lino digs up is more complicated than he bargained for, with betrayals and plot twists keeping the action sequences rolling along with the plot. The movie doesn’t bog down in overly complex plots. Pierret recognizes that the strength of this franchise lies in its quick pace, and the narrative is largely there to get us from one action-packed scene to the next. Lost Bullet 2 is a rare sequel that surpasses the original. It retains the gritty, realistic tone of the original film while expanding the narrative and making it more consequential. While the first film had the sense of a solid debut from a promising rookie, Lost Bullet 2 cements Guillaume Pierret as a director with genuine action credentials. Lost Bullet 2 is made on a relatively small budget compared to the American action series, and yet this has become a major asset. Since there isn’t the budget for a lot of computer-generated effects, the film makes do with smart, practical effects, real stunt driving, and intelligent use of its locations. Lost Bullet series has an evident French aesthetic, although it appeals to fans of action anywhere on the globe. The film exposes its place and culture overtly to target audiences globally. The locations portrayed, such as small streets in Europe and picturesque coastal roads, provide a distinctive appearance for the film. French action tends to be harder and has more significant repercussions than a lot of Hollywood films. In Lost Bullet 2, when you’re damaged, you stay damaged. It makes the action more severe and places more stakes on the table. Lost Bullet 2 does what a good sequel needs to do—it takes the best of the first and expands upon it while developing what worked. The larger budget is obvious in the more exciting action sequences, although the film keeps the raw and realistic tone that helped distinguish the first film. With a lean running time of about 100 minutes, great car stunts, a tremendous lead performance, and a simple but compelling plot, Lost Bullet 2 is an excellent example of an action movie that doesn’t need a massive budget or star-studded cast to provide an exciting ride. Whether you have seen the original film or are just starting to view the franchise, Lost Bullet 2 offers a thrilling ride that shows some of the best action movies being made today that come from outside of Hollywood. By the time the credits roll, you’ll probably want Lino’s story to be continued in a third installment, hopefully with even more amazing car crashes.
OUR RATING – A HIGHER GEAR 8.5