Atlas Shrugged: Part 2
Metascore
26 out of 100

Generally unfavorable reviews - based on 11 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 11
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 11
  3. Negative: 6 out of 11
view
per page
  1. Tampa Bay Times
    Reviewed by: Steve Persall
    Oct 12, 2012
    67
    The relevant question now isn't who John Galt is, but how much demand there will be for what the producers supply.
  2. Boston Globe
    Reviewed by: Wesley Morris
    Oct 12, 2012
    50
    For some, Atlas Shrugged Part II is a ridiculous movie. For others, it's scripture.
  3. The New York Times
    Reviewed by: Manohla Dargis
    Oct 17, 2012
    40
    The producers are going to have to hire a better director if they want moviegoers to be curious enough about this Galt guy to buy a ticket for the presumptive third and final chapter.
  4. Variety
    Reviewed by: Dennis Harvey
    Oct 14, 2012
    40
    Has a whole new director, cast and crew, with slightly higher production polish and more familiar faces onscreen. Nonetheless, it's consistent with its predecessor as a somewhat awkward translation of Ayn Rand's 1957 novel to our current era, handled with bland telepic-style competency.
  5. The Hollywood Reporter
    Reviewed by: Todd McCarthy
    Oct 14, 2012
    40
    This middle portion of an intended trilogy will only play to the converted who have already seen Part I, and then only to the most gullible among them who will swallow mediocre filmmaking for the sake of ideology.
  6. Washington Post
    Reviewed by: Mark Jenkins
    Oct 12, 2012
    38
    Everything about it screams mid-20th century. Rather than refresh the cast with new actors, the producers would have done better to just digitally reanimate Patricia Neal and Gary Cooper, the stars of the 1949 adaptation of Rand's "The Fountainhead."
  7. Los Angeles Times
    Reviewed by: Sheri Linden
    Oct 18, 2012
    30
    Budgetary constraints aside, director John Putch struggles to find balance or generate a single spark from the clunky mix of romance, political diatribe and thriller.
  8. Village Voice
    Reviewed by: Alan Scherstuhl
    Oct 16, 2012
    30
    Seriously, if this is the best promotion of itself that the free market can manage, it really would benefit from the help of a Ministry of Culture or something.
  9. New York Post
    Reviewed by: Kyle Smith
    Oct 11, 2012
    25
    Even if you overlooked the production values from a 1986 porno and special effects like something your nephew cooked up on his Mac, the movie's "Yay, money!" zingers are just a big bag of sad.
  10. Austin Chronicle
    Reviewed by: Marjorie Baumgarten
    Oct 17, 2012
    20
    Atlas won't be the only one to shrug off this tiresome load.
  11. The A.V. Club
    Reviewed by: Scott Tobias
    Oct 12, 2012
    0
    The specific problem with Part II is that a second act of huffery and puffery don't get it anywhere.

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
5.9 out of 10

Mixed or average reviews- based on 40 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 20
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 20
  3. Negative: 8 out of 20
  1. tvchicano07
    1
    It seems like I could not relate to the protagonists of this film because they were all millionaires who complained that they hate the government. They want to start a revolution but all the common citizens are really protesting against people like them. It is hard to relate to a "hero" who rides up in a porsche while the rest of the people seem like they are going hungry. This movie is one of the worst propaganda films that I have ever seen since John Wayne's The Green Berets. The owner of Fox news would be very proud of this horrible film.… Full Review »
  2. freedomofchoice
    8
    As with Atlas Shrugged Part One, while Two moves along at a quick pace (e.g. we see James Taggert meet Cheryl in one scene, a short time later we hear everyone's invited to their wedding) the story is still accessible to viewers not familiar with the novel or with Part One. However, those not warned in advance, may be confused to see entirely different actors in the leading, and well... most roles.

    The storyline is still intact though, and easy to follow. Trying to include everything that happens in the novel - especially a long novel like Atlas Shrugged - is never really possible or even recommendable on film. In Samantha Mathis we see a still determined, but clearly more worn down Dagny than Taylor Shilling's. Also aged, and looking a little tougher, Beghe makes for a more formidable Henry Reardon, Dagney's main love interest. As with most of Rand's characters, the heroes are more heroic, and the villains are more villainous than you'd expect in real life. Of course, that's quite Hollywood as much as it is Rand's writings, and Rand herself liked to paint good and evil more starkly to emphasize her points.

    The overall result though - even if some critics like to pooh-pooh the idea of government-business cronyism ever getting as bad as shown in the film - is a much stronger (strategically timed) political statement than even in Rand's own writings. It does more than any other film to point at political cronyism - corrupt favoritism and cooperation between politicians and businesses - as being one of the worst evils associated with big government.

    More so, even if audiences find some of the things AS2's politicians to be beyond belief, they will have no trouble taking away from the film a clear understanding of just how repugnant such activities are. If they make the connection that such corrupt power cannot exist unless a government is given too much power, then they may also come away with a little stronger suspicion when public officials insist that all they are doing is "for the public good." As with the ending of Part One, which got many audiences on their feat and clapping, all those who sympathize with the fight the leading characters have been facing will likely be wishing to see the final installment - Part Three.

    Most importantly, AS2 was still very entertaining - which is what a film has to do above all. Those who enjoyed this will come back for Atlas Shrugged Three, and will bring their friends.    … Full Review »
  3. bc1nurse
    9
    Overall, avery nice movie. The major negative would be that if you do not have an open mind to a differing viewpoint you might perceive this as threatening your basic beliefs. But if you value diversity in the expression of those ideas, I believe that you will enjoy this experience.… Full Review »
See all user reviews »