F/X2 (F/X 2: The Deadly Art of Illusion) poster & wallpaper
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Bryan Brown, Brian Dennehy, Rachel Ticotin, Joanna Gleason, Philip Bosco ... see more see more... , Kevin J. O'Connor , Dominic Zamprogna , Josie de Guzman , John Walsh , Philip Akin , Karl Bauman , Matt Birman , Walker Boone , Peter Boretski , Lee Broker , Harvey Chao , Jenifer Chatfield , Bob Clout , Jeri Craden , Leland Crooke , Tony De Santis , Arlene Duncan , Neil Elliot , Lisa Fallon , Foster Fell , Charles Ivey , Phil Jarrett , Tony Katsaras , Gene Mack , Tom Mason , Jack Newman , Jack Orend , Ross Petty , Gerry Quigley , Cynthia Quinn , Kurt Reis , Michael Rhoades , Richard Sali , Dennis Scott , James Stacy , Karie Stone , Biff Yeager , Caroline Yeager , Shane Cardwell , Dwayne McLean , Gail Levin , Damir Andre , Dee McCaffrey , Michael Woods , Harry Booker , Robert Kennedy

In F/X 2: The Deadly Art of Illusion, Bryan Brown returns as movie special-effects designer Rollie Tyler. Having barely escaped with his life after being duped and exploited by the villains in the fir... read more read more...st F/X, he isn't too eager to channel his talents into police work again. He'd much rather design harmless playthings for the kiddies. Still, detective Mike Brandon (Tom Mason) manages to convince Rollie to help the cops trap a dangerous voyeur. When Brandon is killed, Rollie suspects there's more to the story than meets the eye. With the aid of his old buddy Leo McCarthy (Brian Dennehy, likewise a veteran of the first F/X), Rollie uncovers a vast conspiracy involving both the police and organized crime. Of course, this compels Rollie to come up with a series of dazzling live-action special effects to confound the bad guys. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Flixster Users

37% liked it

6,526 ratings

Critics

25% liked it

12 critics

PG-13, 1 hr. 47 min.

Directed by: Richard Franklin

Release Date: May 10, 1991

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DVD Release Date: June 13, 2000

 

Stats: 144 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (144)

  • SirPant
    September 29, 2009
    SirPant
    I preferred this one to the first, the only thing that lets it down is the lack of moustache under Brian Dennehy?s nose!
  • deano
    March 15, 2007
    deano
    This sequel is more exciting and great special effects with Bryan Brown than the original. Brown seeks the help of ex-cop Brian Dennehy when he gets into trouble.
  • threefolddado
    September 1, 2008
    threefolddado
    Half-hearted followup to the first film isn't nearly as good.
  • phantopp
    July 28, 2008
    phantopp
    Hollywood special effects master "Rollie Tyler" (Bryan Brown) has left the special F/X business to use the talent which made him famous in Hollywood circles to make high-tech, high-end toys for children. His latest creation is a life-sized remote control clown toy he has temporar... read moreily named "Bluey" (Cynthia Quinn) which is controlled by a suit filled with censors that would send signals to "Bluey" for it to mimic.

    One day, the ex-husband of "Tyler's" girlfriend (Rachel Ticton), NYPD detective "Mike Brandon" (Tom Mason) asks "Tyler" to use his special effects talents to help capture a serial killer known as "The Peeper" who has been targeting women. "Tyler" reluctantly agrees and helps set up a sting to capture the man who uses a long blade as his weapon of choice.

    However, something goes wrong and "Brandon" is killed by what is believed to be "The Peeper", who is killed on-scene.

    "Tyler" believes the person who actually killed "Brandon" was a man he briefly chased down in the building's back stairs. He then proves it was that man when he zooms in on the killer's face in the footage from a lipstick camera.

    The real killer then goes after "Tyler", who, along with his good friend, Private Investigator, and former cop, "Leo McCarthy" (Brian Dennehy) discovers that there is a major case "Brandon" was working on that was declared dead years ago which involves gold coins designed by Michelangelo based on the famed painting which decorates the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel in Rome, Italy.

    The first thing you will notice in this film is that there are many special "F/X" in this film. Many of them are, as the script calls for, are set up by "Tyler". By today's standards, the special effects are pretty average, but are pretty created for the ones "Tyler" comes up with in the story. You get the typical smoke and mirrors that Hollywood special effects artists come up with for things like gunshot wounds, but some, which are for a good chuckle, are pretty creative. One thng you might think is a special effect is "Bluey" because of its perfect mimicing of the people who are wearing the suit that supposedly controls it. However, after some investigating online, "Bluey" is actually somebody in an outfit who is doing choreographed moves.

    There is some strong performances in this movie, especially from Brown and Dennehy. Brown has made "Tyler" likable with a dry sense of humor, and Dennehy has made a guy who must have been a great investigator during his days on the force who has translated his police skills into a good PI.

    One thing that is pretty weak is the supporting characters. They are pretty much under developed. I did not feel that "Tyler's" girlfriend and her on-screen son (Dominic Zamprogna) should have been better written so I could cheer for them when the killer was chasing them.

    One thing that is done well in this movie is the plot twists. We get a major suspect in the coin case fairly soon after "Brandon's" murder and are introduced to others involved in the coin case as the movie moves along, including one that you don't expect when we first meet the character.

    There is some fairly good action, enhanced by "Tyler's" special effects. There is also some gunplay, but you have to wait to see if it's "real" or movie magic by "Tyler."

    I would have to say that this would be a pretty good rental, even though I would suggest you rent the original first to familiarize yourself with some characters. I would also recommend that, if it is not up against something that you don't normally watch, you check it out on either HBO or on On Demand.
  • filmguy55
    June 21, 2007
    filmguy55
    Bryan Brown's best performance. Great Script. A very fun thriller. A movie you can watch over and over.
  • mouse21
    August 11, 2006
    mouse21
    Hah! Watch for the crack about the movie Cocktail from Brian Demmehy about Bryan Brown's appearance with Tom cruise.

View All F/X2 (F/X 2: The Deadly Art of Illusion) Reviews

Critic Reviews

Roger Ebert
October 30, 2001
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

There should be a special category for movies that are neither good nor bad, but simply excessive. Full Review

Chuck O'Leary
February 17, 2006
Chuck O'Leary, FulvueDrive-in.com

A mediocre sequel that lacks the punch of its highly entertaining predecessor.

Rob Thomas
April 10, 2003
Rob Thomas, Capital Times (Madison, WI)

Lacks the spark and flair of the original.

Scott Weinberg
July 26, 2002
Scott Weinberg, eFilmCritic.com

Fairly uninspired sequel to a movie that didn't really need one.

March 26, 2009
Variety

Click to read the article Full Review

Stephen Holden
May 20, 2003
Stephen Holden, New York Times

Click to read the article Full Review

Desson Thomson
November 16, 2001
Desson Thomson, Washington Post

Click to read the article Full Review

Rita Kempley
November 16, 2001
Rita Kempley, Washington Post

Click to read the article Full Review

May 10, 1991
Entertainment Weekly

Click to read the article Full Review

Kevin N. Laforest
June 25, 2004
Kevin N. Laforest, Montreal Film Journal

No review available.

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