Fifty Shades Darker

Great movie. Great shape and ran nicely.

I must preface my review and interest in this Fifty Shades of Darker film by making it clear that I am writing as a reviewer who was able to watch this film thanks to my loving husband allowing me to use his card to pay for the movie. I was guilty of even letting the storyteller in me kick in when someone innocently asked my husband and I what are plans were for today (less than 12 hours ago as of this review). I mentioned that we were celebrating Valentine’s day this weekend. However, the innocent truth was that we are actually celebrating Valentine’s Day with a dinner tomorrow (Saturday Feb. 11) while my husband freely allowed me to go watch this movie on my own after we ate some cheap fast food together today (Friday Feb. 10). Fortunately, it was an easy decision for me to check out the Fifty Shades Darker film less than 8 hours ago because I enjoyed the 2015 Shades of Grey film (which I reviewed both the movie and soundtrack for on Amazon on February 14, 2015)and innovative coverage of the film through various media sources (Msn news, People online etc). The Fifty Shades of Darker film continues the complicated yet fascinating love story between Anastasia Steele (Dakota Johnson) and Christian Grey (Jamie Dornan). I enjoyed the 2015 film, yet one of the reasons I found the Fifty Shades of Darker film to be even better than the first one is because the Steele character is shown in a more complex and multi-dimensional light. For instance, this film shows Anastasia Steele giving her best in learning the ropes of the book publishing industry. The film introduces new characters into the film such as Marcia Gay Harden as Grace Trevelyan-Grey (Christian Grey’s mother), Eric Johnson as Jack Hyde (Anastasia Steele’s boss at her publishing job), Kim Basinger as Elena Lincoln (Christian Grey’s former lover and current business partner), and more actors/actresses. The characters of Steele and Grey are shown more frequently juggling their jobs and love life with each other more than the first film. There is even a party scene in the film that symbolizes the change in the relationship that is about to occur for both Steele and Grey. The end of the film gives clues as to the next film coming out in 2018. These were some of the reasons why I did not hesitate to also pre-order this film on Amazon.

The first movie "Fifty Shades of Grey" is a story of a wealthy and very talented young business man who falls for a woman (Anastasia Steele) who is unlike any woman he's ever known. Christian Grey has some serious issues and though Ana is intensely drawn to Christian, she has difficulty dealing with the dark issues and personality traits that plague Christian, which he has incorporated into his life. (The movie doesn't address Christian's cruel nature as it does in the book.)"Fifty Shades Darker" is the second installment and picks up where the first movie left off. Ana has a new job and Christian just can’t let her go... so much that he is willing to change and reveals some of the deep seeded events that helped cause some of his problems, cruel nature and rift between him and Ana.It also introduces the person Ana refers to as "Mrs. Robinson" and a few other characters with some serious issues of there own, including Ana's new boss.Though I really like this movie, I feel obligated to reveal that the movie is an abridged version of the books. This makes sense as the books are very detailed and descriptive.I’m not referring to all the sex, although there is a lot of that, but the detailed story is more intense and most people that have read it, have a hard time putting it down.Though this movie can stand by itself, there are so many details they had to leave out, in reference to the story in the book, because of time constraints. But then some people may prefer a milder version of the story.I recommend reading the books first and then watching the movies, (only if you want the full story) but the movie is very well done and the actors are top notch.

Spoiler Alert. I loved the books and the first movie ended at the elevator door with a 'goodbye' but those of us who read the books know that is really the beginning of a new relationship with romance and 'more' throughout. This 2nd movie is well done. It pretty much follows the book but even when it deviates, it tells the story. The think I noticed was the Jose's photographic show. Christian actually took Anastasia to the show instead of just walking up but it didn't change the significance of the event, heir being in the photographs and him buying them all. When his helicopter goes down, Jose was staying with them because he had delivered the photographs. This was totally left out and you might wonder why was Jose there with the family during the time when they didn't know if Christian survived. These might be considered minor but it would have helped explain. Elena was played magnificently by Kim Bassinger and the actor playing Jack was equally sleepy. The ending was as in the book with the fireworks highlighting Jack's sinister action with the photograph he took at the Ball. Didn't remember he was at The Ball. Anyway, it was a good movie and I'll watch it again. Anxious to see the 3rd movie. People who think this is a story about perversion need to read it, listen to the audible books, or watch the movie. I think the audible books are the best but I have all three. Christian and Anastasia are hot. This gets filed under erotica but with a very strong story and message that love can conquer all.