Prime Video adds 'one of the best sequels ever' two months after cinema release
Prime Video has just added what's being hailed as the 'action film of the year' and 'one of the best sequels ever'.
The Accountant 2, a follow-up to the 2016 original, is now part of Amazon's streaming library as of today (June 5), despite only hitting cinemas earlier this year. The first film, considered a hidden gem by many, can be viewed with a Sky Cinema subscription or a NOW membership.
Ben Affleck reprises his role as forensic accountant Christian Wolff in the sequel, teaming up with his estranged yet deadly brother, portrayed by Jon Bernthal, to hunt down elusive assassins.
Rumours of a sequel began circulating in 2017, but as time passed, it seemed to fade from fans' minds. Speculation about a third instalment has also been rife, with filming for the sequel only starting in March last year.
Despite lukewarm critical reception for the first film, it became a fan favourite, and followers have finally been rewarded with a sequel. Bill Dubuque, the original writer who later created the Netflix series Ozark, returned to write the script and also took on directing duties, reports Bristol Live.
The sequel has outperformed its predecessor both commercially and critically, earning a 77% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Fans have been quick to laud it both as a standalone action film and for its achievements as a sequel.
One devotee put it succinctly: "one of the best sequels ever". Another remarked: "This is probably the best action movie of the year. The test of a good sequel, for me, is that it works as movie in its own right, which this does. Whilst it will not win any Oscars, it was thoroughly enjoyable and made us laugh. The story line connects well to the original movie and the dynamic between the brothers is both funny and serious at the same time."
Sharing their verdict on social media, another added: "This is how you do a sequel! The Accountant 2 blew me away. Unlike most action sequels that just go bigger and louder, this one slows down when it needs to and it works. The relationship between the brothers actually matters, and that emotional core gives the action real weight."
They elaborated: "There's comedy that actually made me laugh, a bit of romance, and a moment or two that hit surprisingly hard. And yeah, when it's time to throw down, the fight scenes are slick, brutal, and insanely fun to watch. I came for the action, stayed for the characters, and left fully satisfied. Give me The Accountant 3 now!"
While many spectators had previously declared the original film as Affleck's finest hour, some are now suggesting that the follow-up offers Daredevil actor Bernthal his crowning moment.
One viewer praised Bernthal's performance, saying: "Bernthal is a national treasure. It was nice to see him do his thing in an action movie and not have nightmares from his grunting noises he does as the Punisher. He has never disappointed in any film, and made this movie 100% better just being in it."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Herald Scotland
an hour ago
- The Herald Scotland
Dame Helen Mirren: I am such a feminist, but James Bond has to be a guy
The Oscar-winning actress told Saga Magazine: 'I'm such a feminist, but James Bond has to be a guy. You can't have a woman. It just doesn't work. 'James Bond has to be James Bond, otherwise it becomes something else.' Dame Helen Mirren stars in the new Thursday Murder Club film (Jordan Pettitt/PA) Dame Helen, 80, stars alongside former 007 actor Pierce Brosnan in the new Thursday Murder Club film, a cosy crime drama adapted from the best-selling book by game show host Richard Osman. Brosnan, 72, agreed with the actress about the next portrayal of Bond and told the magazine: 'Oh, I think it has to be a man.' He added: 'I wish (Amazon) them well. I'm so excited to see the next man come on the stage and to see a whole new exuberance and life for this character. 'I adore the world of James Bond. It's been very good to me. It's the gift that keeps giving. 'And I'm just a member of the audience now, sitting back, saying: 'Show us what you're going to do'.' Dame Helen previously told the Standard that 'the whole concept of James Bond is drenched and born out of profound sexism' and added: 'Women have always been a major and incredibly important part of the Secret Service, they always have been.' In the forthcoming Thursday Murder Club film, the veteran actress plays a retired spy, who is also the founder and leader of the club. Speaking about her character Elizabeth, she told Saga: 'So many women have worked in that world. She's a manifestation of a reality, that's for sure.' Pierce Brosnan and Dame Helen Mirren on the cover of Saga Magazine (Saga Magazine/Giles Keyte/Netflix/PA) Asked if she is a better portrayal of a spy than Bond, Dame Helen said: 'More realistic. But not so much fun as Bond!' She added: 'The great thing about a movie like this is that it reminds everyone, as an older person I have a brain, I have agency, energy, commitment, passion and intellect. It doesn't all stop when you're 40.' Brosnan said the movie, directed by Harry Potter director Chris Columbus, would also appeal to anyone who likes the film series about wizardry and added: 'This is like a Harry Potter retirement home.' The film, which lands on Netflix on August 28, follows a crime-busting group of retirees, played by Oscar-winning actress Dame Helen, Mamma Mia! star Brosnan, Calendar Girls actress Celia Imrie and Gandhi star Sir Ben Kingsley. You can read the full interview in Saga Magazine's September issue.
Daily Mail
2 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Former James Bond Pierce Brosnan joins co-star Helen Mirren's calls to ensure new 007 is a man following fears the iconic franchise was being taken over by 'woke' Hollywood
Former James Bond star Pierce Brosnan has joined Helen Mirren 's calls for the new 007 to be male, following Amazon's £770M takeover of the iconic franchise. The actor, 72, who starred as the secret agent between in four films 1995 to 2002, said he was excited to see the 'next man' that will replace Daniel Craig. Meanwhile Helen, 80, who appears alongside him in the new Netflix mystery The Thursday Murder Club, said Bond could never be a woman. She told SAGA: 'I'm such a feminist, but James Bond has to be a guy. You can't have a woman. It just doesn't work. James Bond has to be James Bond, otherwise it becomes something else.' While Pierce said: 'I'm so excited to see the next man come on the stage and to see a whole new exuberance and life for this character. I adore the world of James Bond '. 'It's been very good to me. It's the gift that keeps giving. And I'm just a member of the audience now, sitting back, saying: 'Show us what you're going to do'. Oscar winning Helen previously slammed the James Bond franchise, despite her deep admiration for the actors who have played the character. She told The Standard earlier this year:'I have to say I was never a great ward [of Bond], I'm a huge fan of Pierce Brosnan '. 'He also happens to be one of the nicest people you'll ever have the pleasure to work with,' she continued. 'And indeed Daniel Craig, who I've met and know a little bit. Again, a very lovely gracious person.' But while she holds Pierce and Daniel in high regard, Helen has little affection for the Bond franchise itself. 'The whole series of James Bond was actually not my thing, It really wasn't. I never liked James Bond. I never liked the way women were in James Bond.' She also said she was 'opposed' to a female 007: 'The whole concept of James Bond is drenched and born out of profound sexism.' Helen went on to insist espionage stories centered on real-life women deserve the spotlight. 'Women have always been a major and incredibly important part of the Secret Service, they always have been,' she explained. 'And very brave. If you hear about what women did in the French Resistance, they're amazingly, unbelievably courageous. 'So I would tell real stories about extraordinary women who've worked in that world.' It comes following The Mail On Sunday's reporting that 007 will remain a man and will still be British or from the Commonwealth. Fans of 007 feared Amazon Studios – owned by billionaire Jeff Bezos – would corrupt the British super spy after buying the Bond franchise and rights for £770 million from Bond stewards Barbara Broccoli and Michael G Wilson. But a source said: 'There have been so many erroneous rumours about the future of Bond. Amazon is committed to keeping the spirit of Bond alive and that means he has to be British or from the Commonwealth – and he has to be male.' Ms Broccoli and Mr Wilson have fiercely protected the image of the British hero since taking over Eon Productions, the UK company behind previous Bond films, in 1995. Ms Broccoli is said to have insisted on Bond remaining British before agreeing to sell. Eon was founded by her father and Mr Wilson's stepfather, Albert 'Cubby' Broccoli, who bought the film rights to the martini-sipping, womanising spy from Bond creator Ian Fleming in 1961. There have since been 25 Bond films, starting with 1962's Dr No. But last month Ms Broccoli, 64, and Mr Wilson, 83, announced they had sold all creative rights to Amazon, headed by bald-headed Mr Bezos, who some fans compare to a Bond villain. Fans complained Amazon's plans to develop spin-off shows including one focusing on the early days of 007's secretary Miss Moneypenny would ruin the franchise. And they feared Amazon would try to 'wokeify' Bond. But last night an Amazon insider said: 'Jeff is a massive Bond fan and while he's excited to see how Amazon can take the franchise forward there are certain things which are sacrosanct. That's why the memo went out this week, to reassure everyone. 'But certain things are up for discussion, like whether the next Bond should be played by a man of colour.' The last Bond film was 2021's No Time To Die, starring Daniel Craig and Lea Seydoux.
Daily Mirror
7 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
'Moving' period drama making fans 'sob' now streaming for free
The period drama is available to stream for free Netflix fans can stream a "moving" period drama that is making fans "sob". All The Light We Cannot See is a limited series that was released back in 2023. It follows the story of a blind teenager, Marie-Laure, and her father, Daniel LeBlanc, who flee German-occupied Paris with a legendary diamond to keep it from falling into the hands of the Nazis. Based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Anthony Doerr, fans see Aria Mia Loberti as Marie-Laure and Avengers star Mark Ruffalo as Daniel LeBlanc. Viewers may also recognise Hugh Laurie as Uncle Etienne, Louis Hofmann as Werner, Lars Eidinger as Von Rumpel, and Marion Bailey as Madame Manec. Netflix teases: "Relentlessly pursued by a cruel Gestapo officer who seeks to possess the stone for his own selfish means, Marie-Laure and Daniel soon find refuge in St. Malo, where they take up residence with a reclusive uncle who transmits clandestine radio broadcasts as part of the resistance. "Yet here in this once-idyllic seaside city, Marie-Laure's path also collides inexorably with the unlikeliest of kindred spirits: Werner, a brilliant teenager enlisted by Hitler's regime to track down illegal broadcasts, who instead shares a secret connection to Marie-Laure as well as her faith in humanity and the possibility of hope." Aria Mia Loberti herself is legally blind and has previously opened up on the importance of her role. Since its release in 2023, the four part series is available to stream on Netflix as fans have commented on its high emotion. Over on Rotten Tomatoes, one fan said: "Even after all the war she's been through she's still standing . . this made me sob like a child deep inside my soul, just wow it's perfection." Another wrote: "One of the most amazing war related TV shows out there. I wish more people knew of it. It has a beautiful, moving storyline, wonderful actors portraying strong and thoughtful characters. "The atmosphere of war, the dressing, the music set the right mood for the viewer to enjoy. And it's got deep messages, love, care, light in it. I highly recommend." A fourth replied: "Moving storylines, underlying statements about class, intelligence, and education. Excellent sets. A series with all the emotions." Another said: "We loved this series. There have been a million WW2 movies and series but they came from a perspective I have never seen before. Only thing I didn't like was it was only 4 episodes."
