In his The Devil Wears Prada 2 review, SHIFTER’s Kevin Bourne calls it “a sequel done right” as Miranda Priestly and company grow and evolve.
It might sound like a reach to say that a film in the most highly anticipated sequel in recent memory, but The Devil Wears Prada 2 is exactly that. Twenty years after the release of the first film, it still has a big cult following of cerulean blue wearing fashionistas living vicariously through Andy Sachs’ almost rags to riches come-up.
The Devil Wears Prada is one of those films that although you want a sequel, you almost want them to leave it alone instead of running the risk of messing up such a beloved classic. Thankfully, they didn’t.
The Devil Wears Prada 2 is a sequel done right. Of course, it’s hard for a film to go completely left with a cast of Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, Stanley Tucci, and Emily Blunt. They’re like The Avengers in designer clothing. As expected, each of them deliver excellent performances that may have outdone those in the first firm (more on that later).
Similar to the first film, along with the performances, the gold is in the story. After Andy (Anne Hathway) is laid off from her job, she is unexpectedly offered an opportunity to return to Runway, much to Miranda’s disapproval, when a PR shit storm hits the magazine.
One of the main reasons that this film is a pleasant watch is not only a number of nods and similarities to the first film, as well as some unexpected twists and turns, but when crisis hits, we see our lead characters grow, mature, and evolve. It’s not a full circle moment; it’s a leveling up which is so fulfilling to watch as a viewer. We see Andy and Nigel (Stanley Tucci) come into their own, while Miranda shows a level of vulnerability and humanity that we’ve never seen before. Heck, even Emily (Emily Blunt), in all her abrasiveness and monotone delivery, has a fulfilling character arc. Although Simone Ashley gets limited screen time, she is believable as the next iteration of Emily, British accent and all. It’s this growth in the main characters that allows Streep, Hathaway, Tucci, and Blunt to take their performances beyond those of the first film. The one knock on the story is around Andy’s love life. If you’re not going to do it right, it would actually make it a better movie for her to be single, but I digress.
Of course, a The Devil Wears Prada sequel wouldn’t be complete without beautiful and grand cityscapes, with New York and Milan almost playing a character in the film. From the scenery and the clothing, to the fashion, there’s just something so aspirational about this story that makes you want to do and be better.
Who knows whether this is the last we’ve seen of Andy Sachs and Miranda Priestly. Hopefully it’s not since the story for part three almost writes itself. But if it is, The Devil Wears Prada 2 is a generous yet fitting end.
Kevin Bourne is SHIFTER’s editor-in-chief and Senior Arts & Entertainment Reporter focusing on film & TV, music, and fashion. He was named one of 340 international voters for the Golden Globe Awards and a Tomatometer-Approved Critic by Rotten Tomatoes.
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