Atlas Shrugged: Part 2
User Score
5.9 out of 10

Mixed or average reviews- based on 40 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 24 out of 40
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 40
  3. Negative: 15 out of 40

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  1. tvchicano07
    Oct 13, 2012
    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.… Expand
  2. freedomofchoice
    Oct 13, 2012
    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.    … Expand
  3. SidneyStratton
    Oct 13, 2012
    0
    A cult movie - one that's actually intended for members of a cult. If you're not already a True Believer in the cult of teen fave Ayn Rand, and her tinker-toy theories of life, this movie offers you nothing but boring, ham-handed attempts indoctrination taken by the gallon from one of the most ridiculous novels ever written. There's a reason Part 1 bombed, and it's the same reason this one is bombing too. If, however, you have taken the Ayn oath and see the world on Rand-o-vision, then you'll probably give it a 10.… Expand
  4. bc1nurse
    Oct 13, 2012
    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.
  5. MegWhiteley
    Oct 12, 2012
    0
    Worst than the first movie.
  6. everlastall
    Oct 13, 2012
    0
    Anyone who thinks this is an excellent and exciting movie has got to be one of the most boring people alive.
    This is the second movie of a trilogy about rich people complaining how bad they have it in comparison to others starving and out of jobs. "Aw, I'm a billionaire but people don't appreciate me enough. I'm so unlucky and persecuted." Its very ironic that Rand's philosophy of self-ac    heivment and excellence churned out such a terrible film. People watch movies to relate to the heroes and cheer against the villains. That should tell you about who the audience for this movie is when the heroes are all rich **** and the villains are everyone else who doesn't agree with them.… Expand
  7. SinisterVortex
    Oct 14, 2012
    0
    A year ago, Rocky Mountain Pictures released the first part of this series, which had a bunch of millionaires complaining about how much they hate government. Naturally, no professional reviewer liked it, and it bombed at the box office. So then what does RMP do? Release a sequel, of the exact same thing! And what's the reception? The exact same thing! For those of you who don't know: this movie is **** Don't watch it. It is nothing but an appeal to conservative ideologues, as is Part 1. Nothing more. I gave the first movie a 1, because I thought that surely the directors would be smart enough to put some originality into the sequel. They weren't. So I'm giving it a 0.… Expand
  8. Kadeemluvmusic
    Nov 4, 2012
    0
    Nothing new in Atlas Shrugged: Part 2. Still one of the crappiest movies since Part 1. It's even more crappier than Bucky Larson: Born To Be A Star. Don't even think about Parts 3 or 4.
  9. tcpipman
    Oct 13, 2012
    9
    While still low budget the second part of this story captures the current struggle between the prouducers andthe takers. The acting is good and the story compelling.
  10. Canal500
    Oct 13, 2012
    8
    A must see for the content. I liked it better than part one. New cast was a bit distracting but not to the extent I expected. A frightening look at tomorrow if nothing changes in our country-soon.
  11. tomkat
    Oct 14, 2012
    10
    If you are interested in our country and the upcoming election, you must see Atlas Shrugged II. As you watch this movie and are unable to compare it to what is happening to this country then you obviously are not paying attention. Scary what this woman was able to see coming!
  12. lmsfinally
    Oct 12, 2012
    5
    This review contains spoilers. Were you hoping after Atlas Shrugged Part1 that you… Collapse
  13. RegGuy
    Oct 19, 2012
    9
    Left wing media and critics don't want you to see this, but it's an awesome movie. Particularly given what's happening today. Remarkable that she wrote the novel 50 years ago. And by the way, you don't need to see Part One first, this movie stands on its own.
  14. asdasd33a
    Feb 8, 2013
    0
    Where to start. This movie is so bad its baffles me.
    First there is the horrible book that the script is based on, but that is usually a good thing as bad book usually translates into a good movie. Not a case here. The scripts is sticking to the book as much as possible trying to shove down everyone throats an old message that communism is bad even though the author of the book and direct    or of the movie clearly have no clear idea what communism actually is. The movie shouts this message every chance it gets.
    On screen action is all related to economic mumbo jumbo but not an interesting way with a twist instead what you will see a lot on screen are some computers with some graphs and actors saying how everything is bad economy wise even though they are multi-millionaires.The government is bad and these multimiolinares are the only ones that can save the world by using child labor in China and exporting the jobs overseas because it is economically sound. They are not ashamed of this and ask to be treated as heroes for squeezing paper out of peoples sweat. What else is new?
    The message is bad, the cinematic is bad, and characters are uninspiring there is absolutely nothing in this waste of time.    … Expand
  15. tfq
    Oct 27, 2012
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. It nice to see a movie that does not totally twist what was in the book. The book will never be matched, but I find this to be a good effort of putting the novel on the screen. Viewing the world in terms of looters and producers will be be very uncomfortable for some... as some of the views indicate.… Expand
  16. picketf
    Mar 23, 2013
    2
    Stiffest movie I saw in a looooong time. In fact the second part comes off more like an episode of Seth McFarlane's protagonist from "American Dad" in that a series of unbelievable events make up a satire of conservative soup/world views, except the point is *yawn* huh?? If part 1 was to be rated side by side with this movie it would win 10:1... so I thought the first movie had at least some good story development and character and was very disappointed with the current cast and screenwriting to be honest I had to fight to stay awake...… Expand

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
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
  1. 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.
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  2. Austin Chronicle
    Reviewed by: Marjorie Baumgarten
    Oct 17, 2012
    20
    Atlas won't be the only one to shrug off this tiresome load.
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  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.
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