Let’s dive into the American film R.I.P.D. 2: Rise of the Damned (2022).
Back to the Afterlife with a Western Twist
R.I.P.D. 2: Rise of the Damned serves as a spiritual successor to R.I.P.D. (2013). It revisits the original’s premise, this time set in the American West of 1876, and once again features a battle between escaped souls.
Sheriff Roy Pulsipher meets his end in a shootout with bandits. Recognizing his skills and character, the Rest In Peace Department (R.I.P.D.) recruits him to return to Earth and deal with spirits escaping from Hell. Roy is partnered with Jeanne, and together they embark on their new mission.
The Premise: Catching “Deados”
Based on Peter M. Lenkov’s 1999 comic, R.I.P.D. tells the story of a supernatural police force composed of the deceased. Their main task is to capture “Deados”—bad guys who have escaped judgment in Hell.
High Hopes, Disappointing Reality
I remember thoroughly enjoying the first R.I.P.D. film. With Ryan Reynolds and Jeff Bridges under Robert Schwentke’s direction, the movie delivered plenty of laughs. So, the sequel naturally sparked excitement, promising a return to that fun. After its release, it quickly climbed into Netflix’s Top 10.
However, the reality turned out to be quite different. The absence of Ryan Reynolds and Jeff Bridges stripped the film of its core appeal. The change in director to Paul Leyden, known for his poorly-rated works, further diminished the original’s spirit.
While Jeffrey Donovan and Penelope Mitchell deliver decent performances, their lack of chemistry makes it difficult to replicate the comedic synergy of their predecessors.
A Sequel That Forgets to Innovate
R.I.P.D. 2: Rise of the Damned might not be terrible as a standalone film, but its shortcomings are amplified by being a sequel. It adheres too closely to the original’s formula, lacking innovation and freshness.
The film feels like both a prequel and a sequel, yet it lacks a genuine connection to its predecessor. Aside from maintaining the established premise, it throws in a mix of mismatched elements.
Missed Potential
What I hoped for was a sequel that captured the comedic essence of R.I.P.D., enhanced with Western elements. Unfortunately, a weak script and subpar visual effects doom the film from the start. With this installment, it’s safe to say that the IP will R.I.P.
A Muddled Mix of Genres
The film attempts to blend Western elements with other genres, but it ends up feeling like a low-budget Western that squanders its supernatural potential. It’s an odd mix of comedy, fantasy, and zombie elements, seemingly trying to compensate for its shortcomings.
However, the Western setting feels cheap, the fantasy aspects lack originality, the special effects are atrocious, the comedy falls flat, and the undead makeup is laughably simple. It’s almost impressive how every element manages to be a weak point.
A Sequel That No One Asked For
It’s hard to see the point of making this film. The original R.I.P.D. was a box office disaster, and it only did as well as it did because of its lead actors.
Back then, Universal Pictures brought in two big stars to create a new Men in Black-style sci-fi comedy adventure series. The result? A $150 million budget that barely broke even, leaving the studio deep in the red.
Almost a decade later, the IP still hasn’t shown any potential, and there’s no clear audience base. Frankly, this project feels pointless. In time, viewers will likely forget this movie ever existed.
Final Verdict
A sequel from hell, showcasing a mix of shortcomings.