This one simply isn’t up to the standard set by the initial installment. The filmmakers seem to have gone overboard with the color palette; rather than using it sparingly for impactful moments, it's pervasive and ultimately doesn't enhance the viewing experience. Eva Green is wonderful as Ava, and I really regret that her storyline wasn't part of the original movie.

This film demands your full attention; it’s not something you can passively watch while doing other things. Trying to multitask would be akin to only seeing half of a painting. The movie's visual style is its strongest asset. The combination of live actors with a cartoonish, black and white aesthetic—with an intense emphasis on the blackness—and occasional bursts of color is truly remarkable. A momentary lapse in foc…