'Dead On' picks up mere months from where things left off. It's still very much a cop's hunt for a killer, but other elements are new. Question becomes is it enough to break up another routine story & does the cast stand out? This first sequel - two more follow - doesn't have a lofty bar to hit. I was hoping it would at least match the original's level.
Det. Sam Dietz (Leo Rossi) solving the 'Sunset Murders' damaged his family. He's separated from his wife & son (Meg Foster, Brendan Ryan) and has become much more of an obsessive detective. When random victims start showing up linked together by method of death & bloody symbols drawn on walls it appears to be another serial killer (Miles O'Keeffe) at work. This time he's teamed up with FBI Agent Vassone (Ray Sharkey) who says it's the work of a guy who already has 22 bodies to his name and is moving across the country from East to West.
There's no getting around the obvious. Dietz has gone from a cop begging to be able to do good police work & a measure of respect to being a downright A-hole. It's kinda off-putting. Especially when the hurt is shown caused to his estranged family. Meanwhile the flick is pretty face up about Vassone being deceptive so you have to play the waiting game to get the obvious reveal. Lastly the killer isn't given any personality. Only when the ending comes does he get fleshed out in back story 101 and have dialog.
'Relentless 2' is stomping pretty familiar grounds. Cops not getting along, family troubles and murder most foul. The cast is sufficient, but there's no standouts. Betrayal & political intrigue gets injected, but much isn't very good. Dietz's thinking becomes a stretch & I was left wondering how much sentiment will be irrelevant come 'Relentless 3'.
