Movie Review: THE ACCOUNTANT 2

Back in 2016, Director Gavin O’Connor introduced us to Ben Affleck as THE ACCOUNTANT - a person somewhere on the autism spectrum that also has “a certain set of skills”. It was a “not bad” action flick that introduced some interesting characters.

Because no one asked for it, O’Connor returns us to this world in THE ACCOUNTANT 2, fleshing out the relationship of Affleck’s character with a character played by Jon Bernthal - a hit man who just happens to be…his brother (NOT a spoiler, it’s in the trailer).

And…the result is a “not bad” action flick that (reportedly) is channeling talks for a 3rd film…a finish to a trilogy that no one is asking for.

Affleck, like the previous film, is “just fine” as Autistic Forensic Accountant Christian Wolff who has trouble expressing emotion. In Affleck’s hands - like in the previous Accountant film - this character somehow expresses GREAT emotion while not expressing ANY emotion.

The great J.K. Simmons is back as Federal Financial Authority Ray King (albeit, briefly) who’s death triggers the plotline of this film (this is also NOT a spoiler, as it’s in the trailer). It’s too bad that Simmons is in this film only for a short period of time, he brings a star-power and energy that a lot of this film is lacking.

Cynthia Addai-Robinson returns from the first film as King’s 2nd in command who works with Afflecks character to avenge the death of King.

And that’s where this films is flawed, for both Affleck’s character and Addai-Robinson’s character are buttoned up, straight-laced types who bring no pizzazz to the screen and it drags the first 1/3 of the film down.

That lack of “pizzazz” is addressed, greatly, when Jon Bernthal’s character shows up and almost steals the rest of the movie. His character is outgoing and charismatic and one is drawn to him not only for his presence but because he is the ONLY character in this film that brings the “glitter”.

Director O’Connor handles the film in a professional matter and all the action scenes are well choreographed (and, when you have someone like Bernthal doing the action, it really helps). While Affleck has certainly done his share of action films before, he is outshone (both as a character and as an action performer) by Bernthal and Bernthal’s character.

You would think that O’Connor (and script writer Bill Dubuque) would then infuse this film with a crazy, over-the-top villain, but they do not. The bad guys here are nothing but “cannon fodder” and the overly-complex plot left one wondering at the end who was the real bad guy and did they avenge J.K. Simmons’ death from the beginning of the film.

But, of course, it doesn’t matter, for it’s a “pretty good” action flick - and that’s all that matters in these types of films.

Letter Grade: B

7 stars (out of 10) and you can take that to theBank(ofMarquis)