The original “fifty shades of Grey” was jeered and insulted, while simultaneously drawing in a massive $570-million worldwide haul. Because of the latter, it was decided to come up with a sequel, and thus “Fifty Shades Darker” was born. Director James Foley’s task in adapting more of E.L. James’ bestselling S&M series – loved and read by many women worldwide – was supposed to make the sequel darker, but according to a review by The Hollywood Reporter, “Fifty Shades Darker” actually went in the other direction, making the sequel more “lovey-dovey” and veering away from the BDSM master/servant dynamics of the first installment.
In fact their review said there was more of the “lovey-dovey” stuff than many romantic comedies would be willing to screen.
Their reviewer went on to say that Foley and his screenwriter Niall Leonard couldn’t get enough novelty from Dakota Johnson’s Anastasia Steele and her domineering lover, Christian Grey, played by Jamie Dornan, to entice back those fans who were so disappointed by the original "Fifty Shades" film. Reportedly there is another, concluding “Fifty Shades” episode in the making, too, heading for our screens to disappoint fans yet again, around Valentine’s Day 2018.
“Fifty Shades Darker” may make you want to whip yourself
Newsday’s review really hits home, by saying that just watching the “awful” film will be enough to make people want to whip themselves, merely for watching.
Their reviewer reckons the film – based on the second novel in James’ series – has managed to make its scenes simultaneously less erotic and more goofy than the original, stating that from top to bottom the film is “utterly ridiculous.”
“Be mine.” This Friday, his secrets will be revealed. Get #FiftyShadesDarker tickets: https://t.co/SjtEjiAT3G pic.twitter.com/gQOJuHTaSe
— Fifty Shades Darker (@FiftyShades) February 5, 2017
“The Lego Batman Movie” beats “Darker” hands down
The Los Angeles Times pointed out moviegoers had a choice of “Darker,” or “The Lego Batman Movie” when visiting U.S.
and Canadian cinemas recently, theorizing that “Batman” is more likely to rule when it comes to box office riches. In fact they say the new Lego comedy spinoff ended the reign of M. Night Shyamalan’s hit movie “Split” in the numero uno spot. They had no real comment about “Fifty Shades Darker” itself, no doubt relegating any thought on the “naughty” romantic film to the theoretical cutting bin.