It’s hard to believe there's any connection between this movie and the initial "Sting." I really enjoyed the first film, but when a sequel came out, I had my doubts: sequels usually aren’t as good as the originals. And that turned out to be true! This one feels like a faded copy of its predecessor. It tries to continue the story of the con artists from before, set four or five years later, but the plot is noticeably weaker, disjointed, and predictable. There's not much point in describing it; basically, the criminals are back seeking revenge for a fallen friend. The actors are entirely different from those in the first film, which was my first concern even before seeing it. The original had top-notch performers like Robert Shaw, Robert Redford, and Paul Newman, but this one uses less impressive talent because the earlier cast didn't want to be involved. My worries grew further when I learned that Jeremy Kagan directed it; I wasn’t familiar with his work, and what he delivered here didn't impress me. Regarding the performances, Jackie Gleason is the best of a mediocre bunch. He isn't outstanding, but he gives an earnest performance with some skill worthy of praise. Mac Davis doesn't fare as well, remaining largely unremarkable. The same goes for Karl Malden and Teri Garr, who don’t particularly stand out in their roles. It simply falls short, especially for those who saw the original film. The cinematography is a bright spot, along with the color palette and opening credits, which pay tribute to the first movie. Those elements created a pleasant family comedy atmosphere that I appreciated. I also liked the sets and costumes, as well as the recreation of the period. However, the music is disappointing. While the original film cleverly incorporated songs by Scott Joplin, a celebrated composer of the era, this one couldn’t replicate that success. The first film's soundtrack, composed by Lalo Schiffrin, was so good it earned an Oscar nomination—the only one for this sequel, which is another negative point considering the original received ten nominations and won seven awards.

Source on TMDB