I was expecting a disappointing sequel from reading a few user reviews, especially given how many of this genre of film are dumb, throwaway violence fests, doubly so for direct sequels. I found no such thing here. This was a thoroughly engrossing and intense film. I just watched _Sicario_ two days ago, but I think this may be even better, and I _really_ liked _Sicario_. The score works overtime, but this film was the exception in that it earned every _BurrAWWWwwnnnn_. It depresses me that anyone could find either film boring.

Brolin brings the presence, along with human uncertainty when even he is forced to face something he isn't comfortable with. He makes you think that mercenary terrorists may actually have honor, where the elected war ministers do not. And there are moments when he kills with vengeance. Benicio del Toro once again more than carries his half of the film, dialog or no. So much can be said with just a look, but you see the depth of his humanity unfold in scenes like the border homestead. Likewise, Isabela Merced gave all that the script asked of her, age in account or not. I hadn't seen her in anything serious before, but she more than proves herself here. And through Wolski's lens she looks like an animate doll.

Speaking of which, the cinematography got to go a lot more places this time, lingering on different subjects in more settings, and Dariusz Wolski's photography was gorgeous throughout, whether shooting the landscape, or subjects. I'll also keep an ear out for Hildur Guðnadóttir's score work. Honestly, this was one of the best Director/Cinematographer/Composer/Writer combos I've seen in a while.