Punches Above Its Weight: ‘Baby Assassins 2’ Reviewed
by Tito W. James
Summary
The chemistry between Akari Takaishi and Saori Izawa shines in this madcap sequel to a fan-favorite film.
The Japanese indie-film scene is alive and well!
Overall
8/10
Baby Assassins was a bizarrely charming action comedy that wormed its way into my heart. Baby Assassins 2 follows our quirky heroines who must get part time jobs after their assassination license is suspended. However, two goofy aspiring hitmen seek to eliminate the girls and take their place — leading to a lightning-fast showdown between trained killers.
The sequel maintains the unique sense of humor explored in the original. Akari Takaishi is allowed to push her character into a more insane place with moments that feel straight out of an anime. Saori Izawa plays the perfect stoic badass to contrast with Takaishi’s over-the-top antics. The chemistry between these two characters is the glue that holds the film together.
The rival assassins are appealing in their own right, but they never really match the menace or crazed charisma of the Yakuza’s daughter from the first film. The baby assassins only meet their rivals a couple times throughout the story. As a result, the final showdown made the end of the film feel a little abrupt.
Creative comedy and frenetic fight scenes make Baby Assassins 2 an enjoyable watch. While it doesn’t quite blow away Baby Assassins, the two films are a strong duology with more unique charm than most mega-budget, star-studded action movies. I look forward to seeing more quirky action comedies from these actors in the future.
