Largo Winch II (2011)

Directed by: Jérôme Salle | 119 minutes | action, thriller, adventure | Actors: Tomer Sisley, Sharon Stone, Ulrich Tukur, Napakpapha Nakprasitte, Olivier Barthelemy, Laurent Terzieff, Nicolas Vaude, Clemens Schick, Nirut Sirichanya, Dmitri Nazarov, François Montagut, Anatole Taubman, Praptpapol, Suwanbang, Weronika Rosati, Carlo Brandt, Leonardo Gillosi, John Arnold, Wolfgang Pissors, Olivia Jackson

After the surprisingly strong first ‘Largo Winch’, based on the comics by Jérôme Salle, the fans eagerly awaited the second part in which the multi-millionaire makes an appearance. The wait lasted three years. And the good thing is that the enthusiasts are not disappointed. ‘Largo Winch II’, also known as ‘The Burma Conspiracy’, is an action movie of stature. The scenario does not stick to the albums, but the level is equal: ‘Largo Winch II’ is a complex film, which constantly demands the attention of the viewer.

Largo Winch has decided to sell his father’s business empire and use the money to create a humanitarian institution. He is not thanked for that. “You will have many enemies,” Nerio’s oldest friend Jung warns him, just before he has a near-fatal attack. Largo decides to appoint Jung as chairman of his foundation. The moment Largo signs the contract enabling a buyer to buy the Winch Group, a raid takes place: the international court, headed by Attorney Francken (Sharon Stone), accuses Largo of committing “crimes against the humanity’. According to her, Largo was involved in the mass murder of the population of a Burmese village three years ago, during his stay in a small village in Burma, as an accomplice of his father. Essential here is the secret Pandora bank account, which Nerio Winch used to pay the sadistic general who led the attack on the village. Indeed, there seemed to be a huge stock of nickel in the ground, reason enough for Winch Sr. to have an interest in clearing the village.

The viewer has long known that Largo is innocent, after all he had not had any contact with his father for years, and had only stayed in the Burmese jungle because he had fallen in love with the beautiful Malinaï, a young teacher. However, Francken has an unpleasant surprise in store for Largo: Malinaï is going to testify against him! The adventure takes Largo and his employee Gauthier (Nicolas Vaude), who will help him track down Simon Ovronnaz (Olivier Barthelemy), around the world. Simon could prove that Largo has nothing to do with the case. Meanwhile, Largo’s lawyers have a busy schedule as Largo’s nemesis Nazatchov plans to buy the Winch empire.

The plot is excellently put together. Little by little, some of the characters’ true intentions are revealed, leaving the viewer always guessing about the outcome. In addition to dazzling action (a chase early in the film, a spectacular jump from the plane), there is also plenty of room for deepening the characters. Tomer Sisley proves that he can handle this role very well: he moves and convinces in the dramatic scenes, but is also action hero enough to be credible in the adrenaline-boosting fragments. Also Napakpapha Nakprasitte is an actress we would like to see more of. It’s also nice to see Sharon Stone, by far the most famous name from the cast, in this role, although her flirtatious behavior towards Largo is incompatible with the intense hatred she has caused by her belief that he has something to do with the mass murder. has to do with him. Furthermore, she seems to give a wink to Catherine Tramell with her role, although her performance is of course not nearly as spicy as in ‘Basic Instinct’.

‘Largo Winch II’ is a fine sequel to the first comic book adaptation. If the filmmakers succeed in continuing this line, a dozen more of these films may follow.