The Devil Wears Prada 2 has finally arrived, and it's set for chic box office takings of over $200 million in its first week. The sequel sees Meryl Streep reunite with Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt, and Stanley Tucci two decades after the original, in a flurry of designer rags, withering put-downs, and celebrity cameos. Surprisingly enough, it mostly works.
Runway 2.0
When the sequel was announced, many wondered how it would deal with the decline of women's glossy magazines. The film opens with Runway magazine on life support, as Miranda Priestly (Streep) attempts to keep it afloat with social-first content. After being fired from her job, Andy Sachs is brought in to restore credibility to Runway amid a PR crisis. The film handles the death of media deftly, with Andy detailing layoffs and downsizing that will resonate with journalists.
Bringing the Gang Back Together
It's impossible not to smile at Andy and Miranda's reunion, especially when Miranda tears into her former charge. Nigel has the funniest scenes with Andy, from greeting her with a quip to giving her a makeover. The years have mellowed Miranda, though she hasn't fully thawed or caught up to political correctness. The acidic humor has been toned down, but Streep shines in light comedy mode, showing Miranda at a crossroads.
Emily is the HBIC Now
After publisher Irv Ravitz dies, Runway's future is in the hands of his son, a Silicon Valley doofus who wants to replace editors with AI. Andy hatches a scheme to save the magazine with Emily and her tech oligarch boyfriend. Blunt's character is amusingly vile, stealing the show with one-liners like, "It's not a whisper, it's a cry for help."
Strike a Pose ... or Don't
The sequel's looks are disappointingly muted compared to the original. Andy wears designer neutrals for pennies, while Emily is clad in designer logos. Comic sartorial relief comes from Emily's outfits, including a skimpy look at Irv's funeral.
Jam-Packed with Celebs
Lady Gaga's cameo in the third act shocks with her commitment. The film also features appearances by Tina Brown, Law Roach, Marc Jacobs, Heidi Klum, and Karl-Anthony Towns. Gaga's performance of the song Shape of a Woman pales in comparison to her tour, but the star-studded moments keep things moving.
A Fitting Finale
After scenes in Milan with speedboats and a Donatella Versace cameo, Emily's plan to have her boyfriend buy Runway turns out to be a ruse to usurp Miranda. Miranda finds her own billionaire (Lucy Liu) and delivers the cutting line: "You're not a visionary, you're a vendor." By the end, the trio is back at work, newly hungry and wiser. The closing line is a Miranda-ism for the ages.
