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Directed by: David Frankel

Written by: Aline Brosh McKenna

The Devil Wears Prada 2 Cast: Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt, Stanley Tucci, Simone Ashley,

The Devil Wears Prada 2 movie rating: 3.5/5

The Devil Wears Prada 2 isn't simply about going back to Miranda (Meryl Streep), Emily (Emily Blunt), and Andy’s (Anne Hathaway) worlds; it’s about seeing what those worlds are about now. The film that once made a bunch of youngsters (and me) want to be a fashion magazine editor has now returned to the screen. Still, this time, there's a bigger question, one that a lot of journalists relate to — where does that dream stand in a day and age where print is fading, everything is digital, and it's all about the ads and numbers?

There's no denying that the movie gets you nostalgic on so many occasions, and it's indulgent, of course, but beyond that, the characters have evolved, much like the industry we look at through the movie.

'We are in the ether'

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A couple of minutes into the movie, we see chaos unfold, but obviously, that's where the good part begins. When Stanley’s Nigel says, 'we stopped being a magazine years ago', it truly makes you understand where the sequel stands, and the way it has been established that nothing is the same anymore, including Runway.

While we don't see much about the transition of print to digital and how it has changed things, the shift is used as a backdrop to mirror the changes that we've seen in the media. A solid narrative? Sure. But could it have dug a little deeper? Also yes. Nonetheless, as a journalist, I got to have ample 'I feel you, Andy' moments.

The performances all shine, mostly

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Much of the movie is about the performances, and even when one might find issues with the pacing or the overall appeal, the primary cast holds the film together with their effortless charm. Meryl as Miranda is a terrific performer, and she does make you go 'oh my god, she is so amazing' a little too many times. Anne plays Andy with so much more maturity this time around, and her character arc is mighty impressive, to say the least. Some underexplored bits do feel like they deserved more attention when it comes to her backstory.

Emily, meanwhile, has done what she does best, and her performance brings both humour and a certain spark to the movie that no one else can. Stanley's Nigel still feels like that character who is like a warm hug, and we love that for him. Simone Ashley, among other actors in the supporting cast, doesn't get to do enough, although she looks stunning doing everything she does in the film.

A lot of solid callbacks with new things in the mix

In a very fair attempt to keep up with the legacy that the movie is, callbacks to some of the most iconic moments and dialogues from the first film come in handy and work for the most part. Right from 'one of the Emilys' to how there's this moment with Miranda and her coat, among other things, all really come together well. However, there's a balance in keeping the nostalgia indulgent, as we also get the sense of progression in how things are at the moment, among other things.

The movie's strength, obviously, comes from the familiarity, including the relationship between Andy and Miranda; however, it is also more restrained now, which might not or might work for all (it sure worked for me). After all these years, the movie obviously doesn't look at replicating the same dynamic that they had earlier, and the new additions, the layering, rather, feel just about right.

The nostalgia works, but sometimes, it also feels very overwhelming, which sometimes feels like this movie was all about a reunion, which, in turn, also affects the film’s pacing. So to say, when we have some of the classic moments, the energy is up, but we don’t get new memorable moments – or at least, not enough.

Not without its fashion

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Between its commentary on journalism, reunions, and cafeteria meetings, among other things, the movie continues to deliver a spectacle when it comes to fashion. Sure, Andy and Emily's outfits are up a notch, and they very well bring together a very Runway-esque vibe mixed with contemporary fashion, but the way the team has managed to work around Meryl's looks is commendable.

There's this one scene where Meryl is out on the streets alone, and there's a particular shot with empty streets, shops and lights, and her in the centre, and oh boy, you just get that signature vibe and appeal to it, and everything else.

Every outfit, every look, gets you to take notes, and the way Anne Hathaway's outfits have gotten better is not surprising, but it's also such an inspiration, once again.

Our verdict on The Devil Wears Prada 2

Wendy Finerman Productions

The Devil Wears Prada 2isn't here to simply give you a movie that's a sequel because the first one was iconic; it gives us the same world, but along with it, brings change - and that is something that works best. Sure, not everything is explored to its full potential, and it is not attempting to even redefine the story, but the attempt to revisit a movie with awareness is just enough for most of us to go watch the movie in theatres.

Social and lead image credits: Wendy Finerman Productions