disdressed12 Review of The Two Jakes

The Two Jakes (1990)

a sequel to 1974's Chinatown,lacking the same spark and imagination

[3/10 · 12 January 2007]

this movie is the sequel to 1974's Chinatown.Jack Nicholson directed this film and stars again as Jake Gittes.Robert Towne wrote the script and the movie is based on characters created by him.it is hard not to compare this movie to its predecessor and comparisons are inevitable.so here goes.First off this movie plods along at a snail's pace.there doesn't seem to be a clear direction.Also,Gittes seems less likable this time around.the surrounding characters seem to lack any real imagination,as do the situations.put simply,there is no spark.and the femme fatalle angle,which worked so well in the original,doesn't work here.but then who could fill the shoes of the mega star charismatic actress Faye Dunnaway?no-one.so,the femme in this case is less fatalle.the script is also lacking in imagination,giving the director(Nicholson)less to work with.you will be bored nearly to tears here.a disappointing followup to Chinatown.,as a stand alone film,however-also disappointing.this movie is not quite awful,but not quite good either.not recommended. 3/10