Review | The Devil Wears Prada 2

Alright, everyone, gird your loins, The Devil Wears Prada is back for another instalment, two decades since the first.

For a certain generation, there were two main influences behind immigrating to New York or working in the fashion industry: Sex and the City and The Devil Wears Prada.

The 2005 smash-hit dramatic comedy, based on Lauren Weisberger’s novel of the same name, instantly became a cult classic. Heavily influenced by Weisberger’s time working for Vogue under the iron-wrist rulings of legendary editor Anna Wintour, the powerhouse castings of Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, Stanley Tucci and Emily Blunt brought the worlds of fashion and publishing to life.

Now, 20 years later, the same four are back for a second taking. Oh, how the audience has waited for this moment. From a scattering of famous faces in cameo appearances, to a performance by Lady Gaga, The Devil Wears Prada 2 is a wild ride.

Look, this viewer had waited for years for there to be a sequel. Having memorised every quote, every outfit, and watched the original arguably hundreds of times, it was exhilarating for the wait to finally be over.

Andy Sachs is now a high-rolling journalist. And while it’s not an issue that she is overly passionate about world problems and major issues, getting involved with everyone else’s issues and trying to be the fixer eventually ends up being her detriment.

Firstly, there is a clear lack of story in the first half of the movie. Some things felt rushed, some things felt too drawn out. It wasn’t as smooth sailing as probably intended, and the audience couldn’t help but think there was a multitude of material that ended up on the cutting room floor.

It’s difficult to think that this movie wasn’t made for any other reason but to please fans. It’s a two-hour-long trip down memory lane, from the matching belts that are just so different, to the second assistant waiting for “the book”. Having said that, it was fun. And if people take it too seriously, then really, what are they doing watching it then?

The movie has definitely switched from being more fashion-focused to being concerned about the future of publishing. The jump from printing to digital hasn’t been kind to Runway, and the options it has in order to stay relevant and still in business continue to dwindle.

There was no real emphasis on fashion. It wasn’t like the first movie that made everyone want to run out and buy their first Louis Vuitton bag, or know exactly that lumpy blue sweater isn’t just blue, it’s not turquoise or lapis, it’s actually cerulean. This time around, it’s more of an empowering stance on furthering one’s career, which has weight behind the message, but just not quite what was expected.

The original movie gave Anne Hathaway her big break into mainstream cinema. While we love her as Princess Mia, and she taught a generation how to diy a glow up, there are certainly moments in the movie that will infuriate you, and wish that she would just trust the process. I don’t want to suggest that she heads back to Genovia, but there are certainly times a one-way ticket would have been nice.

It’s also weird thinking that although Emily Blunt is English, her accent somehow seems put on. Regardless, she’s still around, making life hell for everyone else. Although a key figure in the plot, the audience finally gets glimpses of her true personality.

Stanley Tucci is as delicious as ever. Who doesn’t love a stylish, suave man with impeccable taste and comedic timing to die for? As I write this piece, I can’t believe I’m about to say this, but I see a great deal of myself in him.

And then there’s Meryl. Oh, Meryl. Is there nothing you can’t do? She makes us love her and hate her at the same time, and, really, this woman can do no wrong. She is every bit of Miranda Priestly that we love. She’s confident, sly, sassy, and focused. She’s a bit more vulnerable in this movie, and for some reason, is married to Professor Lockhart from Harry Potter. I don’t think she will be getting her 22nd Oscar nomination for this performance, but it’s like catching up with an old friend.

The Devil Wears Prada 2 is a great watch, and if nothing else, just a nice way to know how the characters are doing, regardless. For many fans, the original movie and its characters have been heavily influential over the years. The Devil Wears Prada 2 is for the fans, and at the end of the day, a million girls would kill for that job.

That’s all.