Atlas Shrugged II: The Strike [Blu-ray]

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I watched Part 1 and Part 2 of Atlas Shrugged one after the other and having read other reviews, I can't say I agree that Part 2 is a repeat of Part 1 and that it is slower. I found I liked the revamped cast better than the original (although Grant Bowler is always one of my personal favorites). I thought Samantha Mathis did a very good job as Dagney Taggart, owner of the railroad in dispute throughout most of this story. I went into Part 2 not having read any reviews and as I said, directly after watching Part 1. I don't know if that made a difference in my opinion or not, but I found The Strike to be quite exciting and the essence of Ayn Rand's point seemed to be made more openly than the subtleness of Part 1.I gave it 5 stars, something I don't do easily for movies (well, that's only partly true, I tend to only review the movies I like because I don't enjoy writing bad reviews - just me). I thought it moved along quickly, there was more involvement in the actual factories which was nice because we got to see the product, and basically how it's made and the employees involved in making it. In Part 2, the government seems to be winning this sort of war by using nefarious political strong arm tactics and by blackmailing the business people. I thought this had a very strong cast, and I thought the story was told a bit better as there were more visuals and explanations than in the first part. There is never any doubt, however, which side of this debate Ayn Rand stands on. She obviously saw the evils of Communism and wanted to write something people could relate to that would have an impact on a generation that seemed to be tuned out (the book was written, I think, in 1958). The only weak link, I thought, was the mysterious disappearance of the smartest and best creative thinkers, industrial owners, and artists by a darkly almost sinister figure named John Galt. I know the third movie of the series should settle it all out, if we get to see it, but the thread and threat of John Galt throughout the two movies could have been fleshed out a bit more, explained a bit clearer. There was also one discussion about John Galt and his mysterious Atlantis - a place where freedom reigns. Not having read the book, I'm at a disadvantage to compare it to the book, but in terms of strictly storyline, either leave it out altogether, except minor references, or give us more information. It seemed to be handled a bit clumsily in my opinion. But again, not having read the book, there could be a good reason for it and so it did not figure into my rating.I loved the ending, except now I have to wait until next summer (if they make the 3rd installment at all considering the negative reviews the 2nd installment got - which, to me, is possibly more scary than the story itself. Are people rating it because of their political persuasions, or because of the story? Just asking) for the finale. I bought both Part 1 and Part 2 here on Amazon, something I don't do a lot of these days because I thought it was just that good and worth owning. Keeping my fingers crossed for Part 3. Sure would like to see where these producers take the story. Otherwise, I'll have to read it. Yikes! It's 1,100 pages long! So, I loved both of these movies. I guess I just don't see all the negatives other people saw in the second movie. I would encourage you to rent it and think for yourself! After all, that's the very essence of Ayn Rand's writing. Don't just take things for granted and do what you're told. Think for yourself, be free, embrace free enterprise, because humanity hasn't grown as fast as their technology has grown. Wisdom, peace, understanding come with age and experience. I believe Ms. Rand wrote Atlas Shrugged to show just how far humans have to go before the responsibility of all of society's enterprises can be managed by one entity and that the capitalistic system has been set up with checks and balances needed to keep one group of humans from becoming all powerful. As they say, and it fits with the theme of this series of movies, power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely.

I was happy to see Atlas Shrugged get a deserved Part II. The message in Part II comes through even stronger in this film, even moreso than the first. The book by Ayn Rand is so immense, that I think it would have been better served as a 10-part miniseries. There's SO much information and the plot is so dense, that even spanning it over three 2-hour films feels rushed. Relationships and plot elements "just happen" because the story has to keep moving. There's so much ground to cover.Aside from that fact, the acting is well done. I know there were major cast changes to the principle roles from Part I, particularly Dagney and Reardon. I didn't think those changes added anything to the film. I really enjoyed both actors from the first film. While Samantha Mathis also does a great job here as the new Dagney, Michael Biehen as Reardon (who I've loved in other things) just seems too worn out and tired of a guy to take on the world in this epic battle. He's also significantly older than the previous actor, who I really missed.Production values are overall, pretty good. I'd heard they raised the budget for this installment and that the effects were much better than Part I. I didn't see any real problem with the Part I effects. Having said that, there are moments in this film, where the CGI is SO bad, it's cringe-worthy. Most of the wide, geographical vistas look completely phoney and the plane crash sqeuence that opens and closes the film looks so fake, it seems like a video game image. I'm stunned than anyone would accept that in the final cut. The film "Alive" did one of the most famous plane crash sequences ever put to film with NO CGI and that was over 20 years ago. Why didn't the director take a "less is more" approach when handling that scene?The best part about this film is its message and it's even more central in this installment. Reardon, during his congressional indictment hearing, Francisco and a few others have great monologues that make profound statements. I'm giving this film 5 stars for its timeliness and courage to put forth a message that a sleepwalking American public needs to hear at the 11th hour, with its best days seemingly behind it.It's the oldest trick in the book. Whenever anyone wants to control another person or group of people, you have to make them AFRAID first. Fear is the real weapon. Once you make them afraid, you simply propose a solution that will "protect" them from that big, scary problem (and serve YOUR interests at the same time). It's the easiest way to get people to agree to things they would NEVER logically consent to outright.I'm NOT a conservative, Republican or even a Democrat. One need only look at America's history over the last 100 years and you can easily see the "problem-reaction-solution" game that's been played by self-serving government powerbrokers to further their own interests, whittle away freedoms and make the citizenry even more subordinate to them. No matter where you stand on the issues, it's VERY clear that more government involvment in anything is NEVER a good thing. The US government was originally intended to be VERY, VERY small, with only 39 specific duties delegated to it. Whether it's gun control, government sponsored "free" healthcare or anything else; the result is always the same. In return for "protection", you get more regulation and less freedom. Americans need to wake up. Atlas Shrugged is happening NOW and as long as there are those who refuse to exert their own power, there will be those more than willing to take it from them...in return for "protection".

This is a review of the three parts. Parts One & Two are impressive but the lack of adequate budget for Part Three results in a very flawed ending to what is an engaging and philosophically fascinating attempt to film Ayn Rand’s extraordinary book!

I bought both parts 1 and 2 and eagerly awaited this much hyped film. I was thoroughly disappointed. The story itself is a great idea and the scene locations and film quality are quality/top-notch - but the acting is hammy and the lines are corny. It made me want to tear my hair out. They kept repeating one line throughout the whole darned movie and I was cringing throughout - waiting for the next time it would be said. I couldn't watch part 1 - as it could only be watched only in the US, even though I specifically ordered the European version of both films. Very annoying!

Decent Part II of a 3 part TV mini series. Railroad owner Dagny Taggart and steel mogul Henry Rearden search desperately for the inventor of a revolutionary motor as the U.S. government continues to spread its control over the national economy. Any of that sound familiar?

I find it hard to properly rate this film. I'm a bit biased because I'm glad the novel is actually being made into film at all, and that they're doing it in 3 films (as the book has 3 parts) instead of trying to condense it all into one.I can't really compare it to Part 1 because Part 2 has a completely different cast of actors, etc. so continuity is skewed. I enjoyed both Parts 1 and 2, but Part 2 definitely has the bigger budget look (i.e. more CGI). I'm not sure which film I liked better. Many others have debated which is the better cast, director, etc. but I think there is some decent acting in both. However, after seeing the first film, it took me a while to adjust to the new cast. Upon second viewing, I was accepting of them.Let's face it, it's a tough job to make all the details and depth of the novel fit into a film. People who've read the book will understand the story and characters better --- and will either hate the film by comparison to the book, or (like me) enjoy seeing how the book has now been turned into a film. People who have never read the book will probably not follow the plot well enough, and there's not really a lot of "action", so they may not like it.As a film, it's had to be simplified a lot, and characters are very one-dimensional (as in most films). It looks more like a very good, high budget made-for-TV movie than a proper film release. There is far too much usage of "Who is John Galt?", as other reviewers have commented. I won't say anything about the story itself, so as not to give anything away.I've heard mixed reviews on how the film did in theatres, mixed reviews by fans and critics, and that they lost a lot more money on Part 2. Personally, I'm looking forward to Part 3 being made. I'm curious to see how they'll end the film trilogy and how much continuity it will have from Part 2 --- will it be another new cast? Who knows.

I had been anticipating this installment of the Atlas Shrugged trilogy for some time but was somewhat disappointed at the way the makers used a whole new cast from the initial movie. The story line was lightly truncated but intact but the new cast just blew the continuity of this as a 3 part movie experience. It would be like changing the cast on the trilogy of the Lord of the Rings - bad JuJu!I will buy the final chapter when available but I'm not as excited abut this offering of Rand's opus as I was. A good effort but does not come up to the standards of a top flight Hollywood trilogy or Rand's own standard of excellence. This was obviously done on a budget and the makers did the best they could with what they had but it falls short of my expectations for paying proper cinematic homage to Rand's best story.