Force of Nature: The Dry 2

Not as good as the first film ...I think , mainly because the missing lady , was annoying and unpleasant , just couldn't feel anything for her ... Otherwise , not bad ...Kind of satisfied the urge I have lately to return to the old fashioned style of cinematography , when films were more about character development and acting than special effects and non stop action . This film ,definitely , achieves that : there was almost no violence or fights or car chases, or , for that matter -casual nudity or sex . That's why for me it was a pleasant reminder of the days once and for all gone ... I mean , I love some crazy action , but sometimes just want to sit quietly and enjoy a bit of a cerebral thriller )

👍👍😊

Some critics seem to think this movie should have followed the typical "who done it" story line. That's not this film, which intertwines three stories to explain tragic events in the lives of all the players. The film's entertainment is the unraveling of the twists which revels their interconnection. At the centre of this film is the protagonist and his connection to the events in the rain forest where a woman has become separated from her work companions. During the race to find her before she dies, we view his history with the location which introduces an element of horror regarding a mass murderer who stalked the woods decades ago. The women who become lost have their own stories and are employed by a corrupt company. Their histories give depth to the events which unfold. The Plot is everything and the acting is top notch. The beauty of the location and cinematography captures the mood of foreboding and victimization that adheres the character's stories. This film is highly recommended for those who yearn for a story built on layers.

A sequel to 2021's sleeper hit The Dry, Force Of Nature: The Dry 2 once again follows brooding detective Aaron Falk where after his informant (Anna Torov) gets lost in the forest on a work retreat he joins a search and rescue team to help find her. Along the way he's forced to confront more of his childhood trauma. Unfortunately the title for this movie sets the stage for what is a pretty convoluted and muddled movie and is overall a step down in my opinion compared to the first. There are three competing storylines here, the group of women, Aaron's trauma from his past and a serial killer subplot that literally goes nowhere. All of these storylines compete for attention but in the end they all end up falling flat. Also with the exception of Eric Bana as Falk almost every other character in this movie is unlikable (with maybe the only other exception being Mortal Kombat's Sisi Stringer.) With so much going on here it's surprising how unsatisfying and bland this movie was. Five stars for Bana though who is pretty much the only reason this might be worth your time. Jane Harper wrote a third and final Aaron Falk book that was published last year so I feel like it's inevitable that it also gets adapted to make a trilogy out of this. Hopefully it's more in line with the first movie compared to this and it can finally give Bana's Aaron Falk some sense of happiness because the amount of past and present trauma he's endured throughout both Dry movies is kind of crazy.

Whilst this movie did have "some" positives, overall, I didn't like it, and didn't enjoy it. Certainly, the cinematography was phenomenal and brilliantly shot across Victoria in the Otways, Dandenong and Yarra Valley ranges. In fact, I'd go so far as to say the stunning rainforest landscape is not only the integral character, but the absolute real star in this film. The story centres around five women who go on a corporate hiking trip deep in the rainforest, but only four return, each telling a different story and each of them all seem to be hiding something about their traumatic experiences. As it happens, the one who is missing is "Alice" (played by Anna Torv), and "of course", she's an informant to Federal Agents Aaron Falk and Carmen Cooper (played by Eric Bana & Jacqueline McKenzie) on a big money laundering case they were working on. When Falk receives a panicked, static phone call from Alice which cuts out half way through, Falk knew "she's in trouble" and needs help. Typically & predictably, agents Falk & Cooper are sent to investigate and try to get to the bottom of what "really happened" out there in the rainforest. As Falk and Cooper close in on the case, they uncover worrying details about the connections between all the other women, hence increasing the concern about his missing friend and informant. Of course, again, rather predictably, they're in a somewhat race against time to hopefully find Alice alive before "the mother of all storms" hit, halting the search, this has many problems beyond the awful title (Force of Nature) which is totally irrelevant and has nothing to do with the storyline. As for "The Dry", it's much more like "The Wet". Very, very wet!! The plot itself is weak with too much going on, and it doesn't hold your interest in the same way its predecessor did. In my view, despite some outstanding performances, especially by Eric Bana, it's a poor follow up to the first movie. Also found the movie and the narrative "way too confusing and over complicated" especially when it constantly flicks back to Falks painful memories of the past when (as a boy), his mother was lost in the same rainforest region many years earlier. The dynamics & relationships between the women are difficult and strained, with a whole mirage of complex inter- related and interpersonal relationships which I thought made it way more confusing than it needed to be. As for Alice, she's somewhat of a bully and quite unlikeable. This is a problem because I feel it leaves the audience not really caring what happens to her. Deborah-Lee-Furness's performance as the sensible "mother-like" persona in constantly preventing all the other women from killing each other & hosing down quarrels, was "ok", predictable, but nothing to write home about. Way too many side stories that lacked connection or substance. Clunky acting and shallow dialogue. Just had so much potential. The end was disappointing as was the overall feeling I left with.

Five women embark on a team-building hike in the rugged Aussie bushland in Eastern Australia, but their tranquil retreat takes a sinister turn when one of them vanishes. Enter Detective Aaron Falk, whose stoic presence and keen eye are tasked with untangling the mystery of the missing hiker and the web of secrets that bind the remaining women. This sequel to the acclaimed The Dry trades desert heat for mountain chills, delivering a visually stunning yet narratively uneven experience. Force of Nature is a slow burn. Director Robert Connolly lingers on breathtaking landscapes, capturing the raw beauty and haunting power of the wilderness. This deliberate pace works wonders when building suspense, leaving us constantly on edge, wondering what lurks around the next bend. However, at times, it feels like the plot takes a scenic detour, meandering through flashbacks and character development that, while enriching, occasionally slows the momentum. The performances are a mixed bag. Eric Bana reprises his role as Falk with unwavering intensity, portraying a man haunted by past demons. The supporting cast, however, fares less consistently. Some, like Anna Torv, deliver nuanced portrayals, while others struggle to rise above one-dimensional archetypes. The film's greatest strength lies in its visual storytelling. The cinematography is masterful, showcasing the unforgiving beauty of the mountains with a keen eye for detail. Every frame feels alive, adding depth and texture to the narrative. The score, a blend of melancholic strings and suspenseful percussion, perfectly complements the visuals, heightening the emotional impact of key scenes. Where Force of Nature stumbles is in its plot. While the central mystery is intriguing, the reveals didn't quite pack the punch I expected. The film throws red herrings left and right, keeping us guessing, but the final solution feels more convenient than satisfying. The film also attempts to tackle deeper themes of corporate greed and environmental exploitation, but these explorations remain somewhat superficial, leaving me wanting more. Force of Nature is a visually captivating film with a compelling premise, but its slow pacing and uneven plot hold it back from reaching its full potential. Still, fans of the first film and those seeking a suspenseful mystery set against a stunning natural backdrop will find something to enjoy. Just don't expect a white-knuckle thrill ride. For me, the film left me with a lingering sense of unease, haunted by the secrets of the mountains and the characters' unresolved issues. If you're in the mood for a slow-burning mystery with stunning visuals, give Force of Nature a shot. But if you crave edge-of-your-seat suspense, this wilderness might leave you wanting more.

What happened Eric and you Deborah, I was not expecting this from two of my favourite actors. Did you not want to be in the movie, were you showing your petulant sides? I really really wanted to like it, I stayed to the very end, right up to the creits, hoping someone was going to pop and say, nah mates, just kidding, now here's the real professional movie, sit still and enjoy! To be honest, I found the credits were more entertaining . To be fair, the scenery was really amazing, we do live in a beautiful country, I even enjoyed the rain, but the acting was wooden and boring, if I didn't see it with my own eyes, I would have sworn it was their first read through of the script. I literally laughed out loud a couple of times, at scenes that I think were supposed to be serious. I guess the discovery of Alice ( who da duck is Alice) was as exciting as it got. Not a force of nature and not dry, in fact it was wet, as wet as the weather. I gave it 3 generous stars but they were for the rain and scenery.

I thoroughly enjoyed this movie. Time flew as I was engaged and gripped to my seat. Absolutely brilliant casting from top to bottom, and what a cast! Eric Bana doesn't disappoint with a strong but subtle performance. Every character was well developed and stood out. The scenery was stunning. Something you don't get to see too often in movies. Just to hear the Australian bird life was touching for me. Most of all the plot was riveting. I'd urge you to go see this movie if you love a good mystery with twists and turns that really make you question and think. I assure you you won't be disappointed!

As someone with basic backpacking knowledge, this film is rough. My patience had been worn thin multiple times. Why do they all have 60L packs but don't have their own shelter or water filter? At the beginning of the hike, a tour guide takes their cell phones then leaves them by themselves with just a map? Their on a corporate retreat yet no one has a sat device? There is a decent character back story with Eric Bana's character, but the disjointed timeline with the entire plot makes his backstory fall flat. This isn't a thriller or a mystery. It's a film depicting how ignorant you can be while on the trail.

I enjoyed 'The Dry' back in 2020, at least according to my IMDb rating of it, but it must have had zero memorability because I can remember almost nothing about it. I've always said I find Eric Bana one of the driest (no pun intended) actors working today. He has no levels or diversity to his performance. 'Force of Nature: The Dry 2' actually does a good job of covering this up by having him feel more like a side character and having the plot and mystery drive the film. I enjoyed this one. It's worth noting that is far from a perfect film however. There is a lot of sloppiness. There is a scene where a map is lost, and I couldn't get over how poorly executed it was. I would've cringed if I saw that in a 6 year-old's school play. Also it didn't help that the character that is missing and that the film is mostly about trying to find isn't a very likeable person at all. There are also a few plot points that don't really make any sense when you give them the slightest bit of extra thought. I think this is the kind of film though where I am willing to say I can forgive the imperfections for the simple reason that I had a good time. I was invested in the story and I was rarely, if ever, bored. I would take that any day over a film that was made in a technically perfect way but bored the life out of me. This one is worth checking out. 8/10.