The Devil Wears Prada 2: A Nostalgic Return Lacking Freshness

'The Devil Wears Prada 2' returns after 20 years, but despite the grand setup, it doesn't offer much to take away. While it's delightful to see familiar faces, the sequel fails to deliver a new growth narrative as compelling as its predecessor.

The film premiered on the 29th, marking two decades since the original 'The Devil Wears Prada.' The reunion of stars like Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, and Emily Blunt generated significant buzz even before its release.

However, the film doesn't quite meet expectations. It successfully evokes nostalgia, but that's about it. While the original intertwined human relationships and growth narratives against the glamorous backdrop of the fashion industry, this sequel merely repeats the familiar formula. Although beloved characters return, showing growth over the years, the emotional arcs remain predictable.

Towards the end, the film emphasizes themes of female success and solidarity, particularly surrounding Meryl Streep's character, Miranda. However, these messages feel hastily inserted rather than naturally developed within the narrative. The intended emotional scenes also come across as somewhat calculated.

A notable issue raised before the release was the portrayal of race, which remains a disappointment upon viewing. Chinese actress Sun Yitian's character, Qin Zhou, appears with a stereotypically awkward image, contrasting with other characters in the fashion industry. Her portrayal echoes outdated Hollywood stereotypes of Asian characters, despite the film's attempt to showcase diversity.

While other main characters show growth, Qin Zhou's character sees little change in appearance or narrative even after a promotion. Although a successful Asian CEO character is introduced, their role is minor, mainly supporting the protagonists. Similarly, a character of color serving as a secretary is underutilized, primarily used to display jealousy early on.

Meryl Streep's presence remains strong, and Emily Blunt adds to the film with her signature cold charisma and dynamic performance. However, Anne Hathaway's character's growth doesn't resonate as much with the audience.

In all honesty, there's little reason to rush to the theater for this film. It's not a bad movie, but it's more suited for a casual watch, offering the pleasure of revisiting familiar characters. However, it doesn't transcend the feeling of being a sequel to a famous film. There are moments where the pacing drags, and it doesn't offer much beyond being a sequel to a well-known work.

Fans of the original might enjoy the nostalgia and the reunion of the cast, but those who haven't seen the first film or are expecting something new and impactful may not find it worth a trip to the theater.

Rating: ★★☆ (2.5/5)

By Kim Se-ah, TenAsia Reporter haesmik@tenasia.co.kr