Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps (2010) PG-13

I remember way back in June before Inception was released when all the critics were talking about The Social Network, Inception and this film being Oscar bait. They were obviously right about the other two films, but they were way off on this one. This isn't a bad film by any means, but it's awfully average and didn't deserve the hype. The original Wall Street (starring Charlie Sheen) wasn't even that good, but it was a fresh idea. Oliver Stone (Wall Street, W.) is of course back in the director's chair, but you could've fooled me. Instead of thinking of this as an average film, think of it as a showcase for a couple good young actors and a final goodbye for Michael Douglas (Solitary Man, Basic Instinct).

Douglas reprises his role as Gordon Gekko, the cocky, self-absorbed, business man. Almost a decade has now passed since his release from prison. Since his release he has managed to screw up his relationship with his daughter after a family disaster. Our main character is the young and good-looking Jake Moore, played by Shia LaBeouf (Eagle Eye, Disturbia). While this isn't Shia's best work, he's not the one to blame for this film's mediocrity. Jake is dating Gekko's daughter, Winnie (Carey Mulligan). Jake is ever-so-interested in her father, mainly because they're in the same line of business, the stock market. But she despises him with an extreme passion. This passion can be seen when she throws the remote at the television for no apparent reason other than to vent her hatred towards her father.

Jake is working on a huge deal with a brand new, world-changing technology. His firm has given millions of dollars to Dr. Masters' (Austin Pendleton) research. Jake believes he's on the brink of a discovery that will possibly save our "dying" planet. Jake's boss Louis, played by the brilliant Frank Langella (Frost/Nixon, The Box), calls Jake into his office and hands him a multiple million dollar check. Apparently just for being good at what he does.

With this newly acquired large sum of money, Jake buys Winnie an extremely expensive engagement ring. She excepts his offer, but doesn't want a large, expensive ring. It embarrasses her, or something rather. A few short days later, Jake finds out that his company is on the verge of a collapse. There are talks about a possible bailout, but nothing is set in stone. Jake begs Louis to tell him what's going on, but he won't spill the beans.

The next day Louis steps in front of a moving subway, and doesn't pull quite through. It was an extremely bad case of someone being cut in half. It's too bad, because Langella is the most interesting character in this film. The entire industry is in a state of shock and disbelief. Jake is torn-up inside (for obvious reasons). The company eventually goes under, leaving Jake without a job. That's when he runs into Mr. Gordon Gekko (on purpose), and they have a lengthy chat on the subway. He reveals he's going to marry his daughter, and Gordon claims he misses her terribly. They exchange information and go their separate ways.

Jake tries time and time again to set the three of them on a dinner date, but Winnie won't have it. She eventually gives in, but at dinner she storms off after Gordon makes a couple stupid remarks. Meanwhile, Jake takes advice from Gordon, and finally finds a job at another firm. His new boss is arguably the one who took down Louis (which led him to take his own life). Jake plans on infiltrating the organization. It's payback time, Mel Gibson style (I wish). His boss is the ice cold, quick-witted Bretton James (Josh Brolin). They get along just fine after a fews days. James hired Jake because he's a go-getter, he's ballsy and courageous (something along those lines).

It's not long before Winnie and Gordon begin to bond after an emotional chat, but just what are Gordon's motives? Does he really love his daughter or does he want the large sum of money she has in a Swish bank account. The money that was his before he was sent to maximum prison. Jake soon realizes that he's in way over his head with both James and Gekko. What in the world is he going to do?

Blah, blah, blah, you've heard it all before. While the performances by LaBeouf, Mulligan (An Education, Never Let Me Go), Douglas, Brolin (No Country for Old Men, Milk) and Langella are all good, it's not nearly enough. The plot is boring and confusing (for someone who doesn't know much about wall street...guilty), the script is occasionally laughable (in a bad way) and the final few scenes are simply unmoving and dull. Keep an eye out for a cameo performance from Charlie Sheen (Wall Street, Platoon). He may be a sexual defiant in real life, but he's a treat to watch on screen. Although I do think this film is better than the original, it's not a must-see by any means. Money may not sleep, but you will be after finishing this film.
B-